Average Vehicle Age To Remain Around 11 Years Through 2019

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

If the highways appear to be filled with vehicles built during the middle years of Bush II’s first term, your eyes are not deceiving you: IHS Automotive says the average age of a given vehicle on the road has remained at 11.4 years at the end of 2013.

Automotive News reports the average age figure will hold through 2015, then climb to 11.7 years by 2019. Though high at the moment, the firm’s director aftermarket solutions and global aftermarket practice leader Mark Seng states the figure is entering a plateau “without a major change in either direction” through the rest of the decade. He adds this is based upon “a number of factors, including the economy and increasing quality of today’s automobiles.”

As for new cars, IHS expects vehicles five years and younger will increase their presence by 32 percent in 2019, with vehicles 12 years and above to 15 percent and those in-between the two extremes to actually decrease in visibility by 21 percent in the same period.

Finally, the highways saw a record 252.7 million units travel upon them in 2013, up from 2 percent in 2012.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Lou_BC Lou_BC on Jun 10, 2014

    As several others have pointed out, 11 year old cars or trucks are close to scrap in the Great White North. Those who live in Southern British California or Vancouver Island can get a long life out of their vehicles. I find that there isn't much benefit in buying used. When I was looking at pickups in 2010 factory rebates put new pickups in the ballpark of 3-4 year old pickups that were in excellent shape. I definitely would not go the @APaGttH route and buy a POS just because it was dirt cheap. I wouldn't trust it for my family's safety. A winter breakdown in Seattle is a tad bit easier to live with than a breakdown in winter in Northern BC. Mind you, I've seen some socioeconomically challenged First Nations people in some horrifically clapped out vehicles heading off into the bush to return to their reserve or can I say that without offending anyone? ;)

  • Big Al from Oz Big Al from Oz on Jun 10, 2014

    The average age of a nations vehicle fleet is directly proportional to it's economic activity. The less income to older the average age of the vehicles. I don't think many want a 10+ year old vehicle. Most would want a shiny and pretty vehicle. As I've stated wealth is the biggest driver in a countries vehicle culture, then regulations/tax/protection and energy. Finally infrastructure.

  • Lou_BC Lou_BC on Jun 11, 2014

    I just found some Canadian data saying the average age of light duty vehicles is 9.6 years. http://www.aiacanada.com/document.cfm?itemid=220864&smocid=1487

  • Mars3941 Mars3941 on Jun 18, 2014

    This fact just proves further how automobiles have improved over the last 10 to 12 years, Less upkeep, less fuel required, less rust and more money with 5 year financing the norm and now 6, 7, and heading for 8 years being available to finance a car. If usage miles per year are to high that eliminates leasing so with the average price of a new car now at over 31K people will have no choice but to drive and keep them longer.

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