A car's journey on the roads is filled with kilometers that inevitably lead to one critical question: How long is the life of a car? German automotive experts shed light on this eternal dilemma, defining not just the “death“ of the vehicle, but that fateful moment when maintenance costs dramatically exceed its residual value, because there comes a time when money really does sometimes prevail over feelings.
According to leading German experts, the mileage itself, taken in isolation, is meaningless and misleading. Both the life and the path of each car are unique. Imagine a picture: a car can be in remarkable condition even after 300,000 kilometers, while its counterpart, having covered only 150,000 kilometers, is already ready for a serious repair requiring capital investments. This is because driving style, quality of maintenance and even weather conditions play the role of invisible factors that affect the longevity of a car.
To give consumers a more specific guideline, German experts have systematized the average potential life of different vehicle classes, expressed in kilometers that can be traveled before reaching the “breaking point“:
Petrol passenger cars: They usually last between 250,000 and 350,000 km. Much depends on the design of the engine and the way it is operated.
Diesel passenger cars: Thanks to their more robust construction, they often reach an impressive 350,000 to 500,000 kilometers.
Commercial vehicles, LCV: These vans, designed for intensive work, can exceed the 700,000 km mark with strict and timely care.
Premium segment: Cars made with high-quality materials and precision engineering often reach 500,000 km without serious problems, provided that no maintenance costs are spared.
Low-budget cars: Here the situation is more economical. These models often start to require significant investments after they pass the 150,000 km mark.
The critical mileage is not an absolute sentence, but rather a financial threshold. When the cost of upcoming repairs - for example, for major components such as the engine or gearbox - starts to equal or exceed the market price of the car, then German experts advise us to think about whether it is time for a new four-wheeled friend. The only sure way to extend the life of your car is uncompromising, correct and regular maintenance. Remember: a well-maintained car is a better investment than a cheap but neglected car.