Is 200,000 Miles the 100,000 Miles?

How Many Miles Before a Car DiesIt used to be that if you knew someone with a car with more than 200,000 miles on it that was a rare thing. Today, however, cars are being made to last longer on the roads, such that 200,000 miles is like the new 100,000 miles. In other words, if hitting 100,000 miles used to be like a car was hitting middle age, now you can consider 200,000 to be the new standard.

 

Why are cars able to last longer than their predecessors? It’s a combination of higher quality manufacturing as well as improved maintenance options available, such that cars are lasting longer than ever before.

 

Take, for instance, the Honda Accord. As one of the nation’s most popular midsize sedans, did you know there are nearly half a million currently on the road and/or available for sale with more than 200,000 miles, according to iSeeCars.com?

 

Experts agree that today’s cars are designed to last at least 250,000 miles, if not more. You can increase the lifetime of your own car by following all the maintenance recommendations from the automaker. Things like regularly checking fluid levels, changing the air filters, and making sure tires are properly inflated go a long way in extending the life of today’s cars.

 

These days, when your car passes 100,000 miles, there are certain things to consider. Have a mechanic check to make sure all the belts and hoses are working properly and haven’t come apart or fallen off. The timing belt should be looked at, too. Finally, your vehicle might need a wheel alignment, especially if you live in an area where potholes are prevalent.

 

If and when you take the time to care about your car’s well-being, it could last longer than the cars of those who ignore maintenance schedules. Today, 200,000 miles is no big deal. It’s conceivable that your modern day vehicle could run the roads for several hundred thousand miles! How ‘bout that!