R. L. Polk and Co., which tracks all sorts of automotive industry statistics, recently published its latest data on the age of cars on American road. According to its vehicle population report, which analyzed more than 230 million vehicles, the median age of passenger cars in operation increased to 9.2 years in 2006, a record high. Median age means half the cars are older than this age and half are newer. According to Dave Goebel, a consultant for Polk's Aftermarket Solutions, "This is more evidence that vehicle engineering and durability continues to improve with each new model year."
The median age of cars has almost double since 1970 when it was just under 5 years. The median age of cars rose virtually every year, except between 1987 and 1992. The median age car meant many of these cars were built in the late 1970s and early 1980s, not the best years for build quality, mechanical reliability or fuel economy.
Polk also reported on the age of light trucks, which was only 6.9 years in 2006. This significantly lower value is not that trucks are poorer in quality, but because of the rapid rise of truck sales, especially in the last five years. Up until about 1995, the median age of cars and light trucks were about the same.
"The median age of trucks continues to be lower than cars, due in part to the increased variety of light trucks and SUVs available in the market over the last five years," said Mike Gingell, vice president of Polk's Aftermarket team. "However, the increase in median age for light trucks in 2006 suggests light truck owners are driving their vehicles longer before considering or switching to a car. We anticipate light trucks to continue making up a larger percentage of the vehicle population."
Another indication that shows that cars are lasting longer, is the rate at which vehicles are scrapped. In 1970, it was 8.7%, 7.4% in 1980, 6.3% in 1990 and only 5.0% in 2006.
Finally, Polk reports that 35.8-percent of the cars and light trucks still in use are 11 years, or more, in age, an all time high.
