What is the average lifespan of a used vehicle?
What is the average lifespan of a used vehicle?
Posted on July 23, 2025
When buying a used vehicle, it's normal to wonder about its mileage. It's perfectly natural to think that a car with over 100,000 km on it might be at risk for major repairs. You can easily check the number of kilometres on the odometer. However, this information should always be verified.
The savviest among us know that it's become quite easy to falsify a vehicle's mileage. In these cases, there's no mystery: you shouldn't trust just anyone, but rather the vehicle's inspection reports. Curious to know the perfect mileage for a used car? Read this article to make an informed choice.
150,000 km and up? It's time for a check-up
When it comes to buying a used car, let's be clear: there's no magic number that makes a vehicle a good buy or not. However, once a car hits 150,000 km on the odometer, that's when you need to start asking the right questions. While some brands are known for being indestructible even past 200,000 km, other models will require special attention.
This is because at this mileage, certain parts will start to enter a high-risk zone. In short, they could break down at any time and may need to be replaced soon. This is still true even though modern vehicles have parts that last longer than older cars.
Annual mileage will show you the way
There's a way to tell if a vehicle has been used too little or too much. All you have to do is divide the odometer reading by the number of years the vehicle has been on the road. For example? A 10-year-old vehicle with 150,000 km on the odometer has an average of 15,000 km per year. That's a pretty average number. We'd be a bit more concerned about the car's longevity if that number reached 25,000 km/year, for instance.
Other ways to ensure a vehicle's longevity
As we mentioned, some sneaky sellers know how to tamper with their car's odometer. In these cases, you need to look at the inspection reports to find out whether the vehicle is under-reported for mileage. In Quebec, you can consult CarFax or SAAQ reports and go to a trusted dealership like Longueil to get a genuine experience.
Slow and steady wins the race. The number of kilometres is often a key indicator, but it's also very useful to consider a car's maintenance history and overall condition before you buy it. Knowledgeable professionals can help you find that rare gem.
*All prices are based on models in Quebec. Prices may vary depending on the dealership. They may change suddenly and without prior notice.