The author’s 1979 Audi 5000S (photographed in 1984) was well past its prime by this point.
Ask your grandparents about how long they expect a car to last. It’s a safe bet that they tell you that most cars begin to show severe signs of age at 50,000 miles and are junk at 100,000 miles. While that advice may have been accurate for vehicles in 1973, today’s passenger cars will last more than twice as long as their predecessors did 50 years ago.
The typical car in 1973 had a painted steel frame, an underpowered carbureted engine (calibrated with a screwdriver), and a simple steel exhaust system. The interior was likely vinyl or velour (a synthetic wannabe velvet), and incandescent light bulbs were used for illumination. High-profile tires were mounted on steel wheels, and nearly everything was controlled via vacuum tubes, cables, or physical switchgear.
Cars of 50 years ago would rust within months of being out of the showroom (even if the dealership applied its aftermarket “rustproofing” service). Overworked engines would misfire if not “tuned up” by a mechanic regularly, and mineral oil-based lubricants would fail if not changed habitually. Exhaust systems would rust, often inside out, and most transmissions needed attention after a few years. Cars frequently had “burned out” headlights and bulbs, and tires would last about 20,000 miles (assuming the vehicle’s alignment was true). As dozens of components fail year-over-year, most vehicles would likely be scrapped at 100,000 miles. In 1970, the average car on the road was just 5.7 years old — Grandpa was correct about cars from his era.
But today’s cars are vastly superior to their predecessors — they will likely be on the road for upwards of 250,000 miles before they are crushed for recycling.
Credit advanced unibody construction with galvanized steel (coated with a layer of corrosion-resistant zinc) and advanced rust protection on all other car parts. Engines are much more powerful and efficient and galvanized and stainless steel exhaust systems now last the vehicle’s life. Synthetic lubricants are more tolerant of heat, remain chemically stable, and have much longer service lives. Fuel injection replaced carburetors and advanced computerized ignition systems ensure proper running (and warn of potential issues).
Gone are incandescent headlights, replaced with LEDs (light-emitting diodes) that are brighter, whiter, more resistant to vibration, and smaller (they also last the vehicle’s life). Low-profile radial tires are more robust, and suspension technologies have improved — tires last upwards of 50,000 miles today. Gone are vacuum tubes, cables, and clunky switchgear, since replaced with solid-state electronics that use diodes, transistors, integrated circuits, and actuators for reliability.
And you won’t find velour on a new car today. Advanced synthetic fabrics and plastics used for automotive upholstery and interiors are wear-resistant, stain resistant, and durable. Even today’s exterior vehicle paint, coated with a final protective clear coat, is much more resistant to fading or discoloration.
For these reasons and more, the average age of a car on the road in 2023 is 12.5 years — more than double that of 1973, says a recent study from S&P Global Mobility.
It’s time to reeducate consumers (and your grandparents) about passenger car longevity. Instead of fearing impending maintenance costs, breakdowns, and repairs when the typical manufacturer warranty expires after three years/36,000 miles, keep up with the scheduled services and enjoy your late-model vehicle for another decade before worrying about its replacement.