What is the Average Life of a Car Engine?

Are you worried about your vehicle’s engine?  Is there excessive smoke coming from the tailpipe, or are you hearing knocking sounds coming from under the hood?  Is the oil burning up faster than usual? Normal mileage wear and tear, lack of service, lubrication issues, and excessive overheating could be the cause of some of these symptoms.  Though, these issues do not necessarily mean that it has to be the end of your vehicle.

When many vehicle owners hear the words “engine repair,” their first thought is to junk their current vehicle and buy a new one.  In reality, this may not be the smartest thing to do.  If your vehicle is in relatively good shape, consider rebuilding the engine rather than replacing it.  Paying for an engine repair versus purchasing a new vehicle could be a better financial decision.

Just what is the average life of a car engine? For some time, the average lifespan of a car's engine was 8 years or 150,000 miles. New designs, better technology, and improved service standards in recent years have increased this average life of a car’s engine is about 200,000 miles or about 10 years.

There are few things that impact the lifespan of an engine, such as:

• Where you live—if you live up a steep hill, or if you have to pass over rough terrain on a regular basis, your engine will undergo more stress and will likely not last as long as it would if you generally drive on flat, smooth roads.
• The type of car—Heavy-duty trucks normally won’t last as long as smaller cars do.
• Keep up with maintenance—If you perform all of your routine maintenance on time, have regular car service, and take care of compulsory engine repair sooner rather than later.

There is no rule when it comes to how long engines will last.  Just remember that the key to a healthy, long-lasting engine is routine service and expert engine repair and you will be able to drive your vehicle for years to come.

Are you wondering what is the average life of a car engine?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon for more information about engine repair and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and the surrounding areas.