Do Trucks or Cars Last Longer? (Detailed Answer!)

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For you, longevity is what matters most in a vehicle. So, in your bid to get a new ride, the first thing you ask yourself is, do trucks or cars last longer? Well, let’s go over the facts.

Do trucks or cars last longer?

On average, trucks last longer than cars.

A study by iSeeCars.com showed that amongst over 13 million pre-owned vehicles sold in the United States over 36 years, the full-size SUVs (trucks) lasted the longest.

Of course, while the statistics show that trucks last longer than cars, the lifespan of any vehicle ultimately depends on the brand and how you use it.

We have more information for you on the longevity of cars and trucks. So, in the rest of this article, we provide answers to the questions you may have.

black pickup truck and black car in a garage

Do Trucks or Cars Last Longer?

As we said before, trucks generally last longer than cars. This is not too surprising since manufacturers build trucks for rough tasks. They typically make trucks with rugged engines, durable frames, and an overall solid build. So, on average, the chances of trucks going out of service earlier than cars are low.

Of course, as we said before, the lifespan of your vehicle – whether car or truck – ultimately depends on how you use it. So, if you only drive your truck around without using it for heavy-duty tasks, it should last a long time.

In other words, if you regularly use your truck for towing or riding on off-road terrains, it may not last as long as possible. It goes without saying, but if the engine has to work at its peak every time, it will wear faster than when it only performs at a fraction of its capabilities.

Never forget that besides usage, longevity also depends on the make and model of the truck and car in question. So, while trucks generally last longer than cars, you will find some variations across the makes and models.

For instance, Honda and Toyota cars – some of the longest-lasting cars – may last longer than some truck makes and models. So, ultimately, a case-by-case assessment may help in choosing a vehicle with the longevity you desire.

How Long Do Cars Last?

How long your car lasts is dependent on the make, the model, how you use your car, and how well you take care of your car. Top car models can last as long as 200,000 miles or over 10 years.

You can get even better longevity with electric cars as they can go up to 300,000 miles.

As we hinted earlier, cars from Japanese brands like Toyota and Honda are some of the longest-lasting in the market. For one, some sources say the Toyota Avalon can last more than 250,000 miles with proper care and maintenance.

Interestingly, maintaining a Toyota Avalon is not even pricey; you may spend about $400 per year on maintenance.

Besides the Avalon, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are also noted for their longevity. These two go over 200,000 miles with proper care.

Compared to the longevity of cars in the past, the lifespan of cars these days is pretty impressive. It was rare for cars to hit 100,000 miles in the past. But these days, 100,000 miles is somewhat halfway for many cars.

The advances in car construction between the past and now is also evident in the frequency of oil change. In the past, changing your oil after every 3000 miles was the standard. But these days, cars can go way beyond 3000 miles before an oil change is necessary.

While cars last up to 200,000 miles or over 10 years these days, the average is closer to 150,000 miles or 8 years. But in the end, if you get a top make and model and use your car very well, its lifespan should be closer to the upper limit.

Which Cars Have the Longest Lifespan?

As we have already hinted, this study shows that Japanese models, Toyota and Honda, have some of the longest-lasting cars. But besides those two, others like Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Ford have long-lasting cars.

The referenced study revealed that 2% of the cars with mileage over 200,000 miles are Toyota cars. Then Honda cars made up 1.6%, Chevrolet and Cadillac cars made up 1.5%. Ford and GMC cars had 1.4% each in the analysis.

The usual names typically pop up in studies of the car models with the longest lifespan. However, the makes are markedly different across studies. Nonetheless, most of the long-lasting makes are from the car models with the longest lifespan.

Besides make and model, factors like engine type influence the lifespan of cars. As we said before, you can expect an electric car to last longer than an ICE car.

Apart from that, cars with advanced vehicle monitoring systems are generally longer-lasting than those without them.

We should mention that the longest-lasting car ever is a 1968 Volvo P1800. The said vehicle has a mileage of over 4 million miles.

Man Standing In Pick-up Truck Parked On Road Against Clear Sky

How Long Do Trucks Last?

On average, trucks last over 200,000 miles. It is not uncommon to come across a truck that has been in use for around 15 to 20 years. In fact, you may come across a 100,000-mile truck still performing like new. Such is the durability of trucks, and it is not surprising since the construction of trucks prioritizes sturdiness.

Besides, most people who drive trucks understand the basic mechanics of a vehicle. So, they can perform basic routine maintenance on their truck. Obviously, maintenance is vital to a vehicle’s lifespan. The regular filter and oil changes will extend your truck’s life by a couple of years for sure.

Onboard computers or advanced vehicle monitoring systems are an added advantage these days. With these in place, truck drivers can readily detect when their vehicle needs a check. This makes the overall maintenance even better.

Of course, as with cars, the longevity of your truck depends on the model and make and how well you use it.

The Ford F-150 is one of the longest-lasting trucks; it makes up around 2% of trucks whose mileage exceeds 200,000 miles. Interestingly, it only costs around $150 per year to maintain it.

Which Trucks Have the Longest Lifespan?

Even on the truck front, Toyota has some of the longest-lasting vehicles. But apart from Toyota, models like Ford, Nissan, and Honda have trucks that go many miles.

The Toyota Tundra and Toyota Tacoma make up a fair share of trucks with mileage over 200,000. Then for Honda, the Honda Ridgeline stands out amongst their trucks. According to iSeeCars.com, the Honda Ridgeline makes up 3.4% of trucks with mileage above 200,000.

For Ford, the Ford F-150 and Ford F-250 are the sturdiest ones. It is no surprise that the Ford F-Series is the best-selling vehicle series in the US, especially the F-150.

The Nissan Titan and Nissan Frontier typically make the list of the longest-lasting Nissan trucks. Besides being remarkably durable, they have low maintenance costs.

How to Make Your Truck Last Longer

1. Change the Oil Regularly

Cars these days do not require an oil change as often as older models. Nonetheless, routinely changing your oil is still vital.

Regular oil changes go a long way in ensuring your truck remains in top condition for a long time. It is one of the most vital parts of maintaining your vehicle – any vehicle.

If you do not change your truck’s oil when you should, there will be a buildup of sludge. As sludge builds up, oil flow through the engine slows down. Then with time, some engine parts will stop getting oil altogether, and ultimately, the engine will suffer severe damage.

Each vehicle has a recommendation on how often you should change the oil. You should find the details in the owner’s manual.

2. Rotate and Balance the Tires

Depending on your truck’s drivetrain, the tires can wear unevenly with time. So, while doing an oil change, you should rotate the tires. Doing so will ensure the tires wear evenly.

Besides ensuring the tires wear evenly, rotating the tires makes for smoother rides. Also, you may even detect alignment issues and ease the stress on the suspension.

Besides rotating the tires, balance them. By doing this, the weight of the vehicle will be even across all of them.

It is not uncommon for road bumps to set off your tires’ balance. Unfortunately, the suspension may suffer if you do not re-balance the tires after such instances.

3. Replace the Air Filter Routinely

Air filters block dirt, debris, and similar contaminants out of the engine as air flows in. But with time, air filters get clogged with the same matter they try to keep out. Unfortunately, when this happens, it hampers airflow into the engine.

When the flow of air into the engine reduces, the power and performance of the engine drop. And if the air filter remains unchanged, the engine will suffer.

4. Check the Fluids Regularly

Besides an oil change, check the fluids in the vehicle regularly. Check the oil, coolant, and windshield washer fluid level and ensure they are enough. If you have not cycled out the coolant recently, replace it with a new coolant. Top the windshield washer fluid if necessary.

5. Check the Truck’s Alignment

Driving on rough terrains can cause your truck to misalign. So, if you notice your truck tilts to one side, check the alignment.

If you leave a misaligned truck as is, it may consume more gas than usual. Misalignment may also make the truck tougher to handle, and it may make the tires wear out faster.

Conclusion

Trucks typically last longer than cars, thanks to the fact that manufacturers build them for heavy-duty tasks. But even at that, the longevity of trucks vs. cars differs across makes and models.

On average, trucks go over 200,000 miles. But while cars can go over 200,000 miles too, their average is around 150,000 miles.

For both cars and trucks, one factor reigns supreme – maintenance. If you maintain your car or truck properly, it will remain at the top level for a long time.