If you haven’t set foot in a new-car dealer’s showroom in over a decade you’re not alone. The average age of all light-duty cars and trucks on the road now stands at a record 11.5 years, according to the market research firm IHS Automotive in Southfield, Mich.
"As long as we have tracked average age, it has gradually risen over time due to the increasing quality of automobiles," says Mark Seng, global aftermarket practice leader at IHS Automotive.
To be sure a quick scan of online used-car listings in the greater Chicagoland area show a bevy of models with more than 250,000 miles registered on their odometers that are in sufficiently good enough shape to be seeking new owners. Among those being offered, we found a 2006 Honda Accord sedan with 280,000 miles, a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV with nearly 275,000 miles and a 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck that’s logged over a half-million miles – 556,000 to be exact – and is still going.
While just about any car these days can clock a quarter million miles if an owner throws enough money at it in terms of ongoing repairs and upkeep – some models tend to be more enjoyable to own and hold together better over the long haul than others.
Find out why a growing number of Americans are giving up their cars for good.
To determine which would be the most likely new vehicles to reach 250,000 miles and beyond, we combed the predicted reliability ratings for new vehicles published annually by Consumer Reports, based on subscriber surveys received for over 1 million vehicles from the 2005 through 2014 model years. Vehicles are ranked according to 17 potential problem areas, ranging from major components like the engine, transmission and brakes, to issues with paint, trim and interior accessories.
In Pictures: 10 Cars That Can Run For Over 250,000 Miles.
We further winnowed down the highest-ranked cars according to which models Consumer Reports specifically recommends for a combination of high marks in their own extensive road tests, as well as owner satisfaction surveys conducted among the publication’s subscribers and other data.
Among the models deemed to be the most reliable – which we’re featuring in the accompanying slideshow – those from Toyota’s three divisions account for six of the top 10 models. This should come as no surprise since Toyota and Lexus were ranked as the two most reliable brands, overall, with Scion coming in eighth. Other brands that comprise CR’s top 10 most-dependable rankings include Mazda, Honda, Audi, Buick, Subaru, Porsche and Kia.
Despite Detroit-based automakers having made great strides in recent years – you’ll note Buick is now among the top scoring makes – domestic brands are still largely cellar-dwellers in CR’s reliability survey, with seven of the bottom 10 coming from Fiat-Chrysler. The bottom-feeders (in ascending order) are Fiat, Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Chrysler, Chevrolet, Infiniti and GMC.
Among the worst offenders, CR says, are domestic small cars and full-size pickup trucks, which tend to place way below average in durability. The car having the dubious distinction of ranking dead last in CR’s most recent study, albeit after just a year’s worth of available data, is the subcompact the Fiat 500L, which rates a negative-218 score. (That means it’s estimated to be 218 percent less reliable over time than the average new vehicle.) Trucks in general tend to be a poor-performing market segment, with the highest-rated domestic trucks being the heavy-duty Ford F-250 and F-350 with about-average reliability; the worst performers here are the near-twin Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 and the Ram 2500/3500 diesel-powered models at the bottom of the pack with a score of negative-152.
It’s a mixed bag for the Europeans, with Volkswagen and Audi each placing a model in our top ten list, with Audi and Porsche being ranked among the top makes. Volvo, BMW and VW, meanwhile, remain about mid-pack, with Mercedes-Benz near the bottom. CR says Mercedes’ scores were dragged down by negative comments registered for its most recent models, including the subcompact CLA and the redesigned version of its flagship S-Class sedan (though we’re willing to bet Mercedes owners and lessees are likely to be among the pickiest motorists on the road, given the cars’ top-shelf market positioning).
In Pictures: 10 Cars That Can Run For Over 250,000 Miles.
While some owners indeed report major mechanical problems, many motorists’ beefs these days are with relatively minor issues. Sophisticated infotainment systems, which automakers are embracing to help bring tech-savvy buyers into the fold, account for many complaints, particularly with regard to unresponsive touchscreens, problems pairing phones and multi-purpose controllers that don’t work as easily as advertised.
Still, whether you’re in the market for a new model or are looking to hold onto your current ride for many tens of thousands of additional miles, plan and budget to take pristine care of your pride and joy, both to help maximize its mechanical longevity and minimize wear-and-tear along the way.
For starters, follow the automaker’s maintenance schedule to the letter, particularly during the first few years of ownership to prevent voiding the vehicle’s warranty. Have the oil and filter changed according to the automaker’s so-called “severe use” schedule, which by definition applies to those who frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic, live in extremely hot or cold climates or dusty areas or who tow a trailer (which accounts for most of us).
Check all of the vehicle fluids regularly – including engine oil, coolant and brake, power steering, transmission and battery fluids – and top them off as necessary. Your car’s owner’s manual will show where and how to check them. If any fluid levels are chronically low, have the car examined by a mechanic. Likewise, inspect the hoses and belts regularly. Have them replaced whenever they appear cracked, brittle, frayed, become loose or show signs of excessive wear.
Check the air pressure in the tires – including the spare – weekly, and only when the tires are cold (before driving), using a good-quality tire-pressure gauge. Keep them inflated to the maximum pressure recommended in the owner’s manual to minimize wear and maximize your vehicle’s handling and fuel economy. Have the tires rotated once a year, or sooner if they begin to show signs of uneven wear.
Pay attention to the way your car drives. Take your car to the service department or repair shop if it’s making strange sounds, is becoming difficult to start, is handling or braking oddly, is overheating or otherwise isn’t operating as expected. Undue procrastination may lead to higher repair bills down the road.
In Pictures: 10 Cars That Can Run For Over 250,000 Miles.
Also, be sure to take care of your ride’s appearance to further ensure it ages gracefully. Have the car washed frequently, and give it a coat of good-quality paste wax at least once a year. Likewise, keep the interior looking good with liberal use of plastic-surface conditioner. Dirty seats and carpeting wear out quicker, so be sure to vacuum the interior regularly and freshen it annually with carpet/upholstery cleaner.
Finally, make sure that your driving habits aren’t counterproductive to your other efforts to boost a vehicle’s longevity, especially as it’s otherwise aging gracefully. That means going easy on both the accelerator and brake pedals to prevent accelerated wear and tear, and avoid the temptation to take the curves at tire-squealing speeds.
