Why We’re Keeping Our Cars Longer

—and Why That’s a Good Thing!

If it feels like every car on the road has a few more dings and miles than it used to, you're not imagining things. The average age of cars on American roads is at an all-time high—north of 12 years—and growing. And while automakers may quietly grumble about this trend, I say: good. It's proof that drivers are making smarter, more sustainable choices—and that the culture of car ownership is changing for the better.

One reason? Electronics. Ironically, the same digital complexity that once made cars harder to repair has created a new wave of owners learning to fix them anyway. Thanks to growing support for the Right to Repair movement, more resources are now available to everyday drivers and independent shops. Diagnostic tools that were once dealer-only are now in your glove box—or on your phone. Forums, YouTube, and smart scan tools have leveled the playing field.

That brings us to another shift: the used car renaissance. Facebook Marketplace, and before it Craigslist, cracked the car sales monopoly wide open. You no longer need a dealership to buy, sell, or trade cars. You just need a phone and a driveway. That access—and the sticker shock of new car prices—has created a huge appetite for low-cost, older vehicles that “just need a little TLC.”

And here's the best part: modern cars can take it. A well-maintained Civic or Corolla will go 250,000 miles without breaking a sweat. And for the DIYers and budget-conscious buyers out there, this longevity is gold. They're not buying cars to impress. They're buying them to use, fix, and appreciate over time—sometimes even turning that knowledge into a side hustle.

So yeah, the average age of vehicles is going up. But it’s not a sign of decay—it’s a sign of resilience. Drivers are learning, adapting, and taking ownership—literally and figuratively—of their transportation. The open marketplace, access to information, and growing repair culture are making it easier than ever to stretch a dollar and a drivetrain.

If that’s not progress, I don’t know what is.