Is it true that modern cars have a 7-year life cycle?
You state in today's column that a modern car has a 7-year life cycle. Since I have an 8-year old Mercedes-Benz, this is a bit of a surprise, to me and probably a few million other car owners. Can you elaborate? Is it a 'well known fact', or a deliberate design aspect of manufacturers; and if the latter, is this made clear in any way at the time of purchase? I expect things to fail as they age, but I am on the original exhaust, have had a broken front spring and replaced both, the underside is in excellent condition, no rust anywhere, now with over 100,000 and it drives better than new. I expect it to 'expire' at about 400/500,000 miles, say 30/40 years old if cared for.
Asked on 28 January 2012 by EB, via email
Answered by
Honest John
The first answer is no, of course dealers don't. Why should they? We live in a disposable society. How long does a flat screen TV, a notebook computer or a mobile phone last these days? The second answer is yes, of course it is to the manufacturer's advantage to make a car so complex with components the replacement cost of which can be equal to the value of the car after seven years. If you replace the part, the manufacturer makes a fat profit. If you replace the car, the manufacturer makes a profit. He has you both ways.
Tags:
longevity
reliability
Similar questions
In February 2000 I bought a 1999T BMW 528i Auto with 29,000 miles for £25,000. It has now done 141,000 miles and is still a pleasure to drive. The only obvious problem is the LED matrix on the dashboard...
Our neighbours are moving abroad and are offering us their 2004 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (4.5-litre V8) with 104,000 miles plus their 1997 Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 Kompressor with 78,000 miles for £8000 (for...
My 2.0-litre petrol auto Honda Accord is over 13 years old, has 76,000 miles on the clock and still goes really well. I do less than 3000 miles a year, a local mechanic does all the required servicing,...
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
