Everyone has one: The old beater you’ve had since high school, the first car you could never get rid of, the project stuck on cinderblocks in your backyard. Well, keeping that tired old jalopy is no longer just a sign of mercy — it’s the popular thing to do.
According to the Associated Press, people these days are keeping their cars longer than ever. If 10 years seems like a long time to own a car, well, it is, but it’s also just above the median age of the average car on U.S. roads: 9.2 years. Trucks have an average road life of 7.1 years.
Causes for the beater invasion? A bad economy, longer warranties and the increasing durability of quality-made vehicles are among the reasons, not to mention the comparatively relaxed long-term loans more car buyers are choosing. So, not to fear: If your car’s 10 years old, that’s OK. Everyone else’s is, too.
