Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » How long will modern cars last?
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

How long will modern cars last?

I bought my wife a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK for £8500. She says that at 65,000 miles it's not worth it and she won't get the value when she sells. Our last car lasted 17 years and I say that modern cars, unlike the older models, are usually ok to 100,000 or more, who's right?

Asked on 15 January 2014 by Martin Freye

Answered by Honest John
Modern cars are usually killed off by an expensive component failing that costs more to repair than the car is worth. They are built to an economic life of seven years, after which you might be lucky or might not.
Similar questions
I have seen a 2001 Mercedes SLK 320 for sale with 53,000 miles, two owners and FSH for £6495. Can you tell me if this is a fair price and what are the most common faults are with this car? It would be...
Can you recommend a reliable used hatchback for around £9,000? My annual mileage is around 20,000, consisting of short trips of no more than 15 miles at a time. The car would be preferably manual.
My sister is looking for a small five-door car. She's expecting a baby in the summer. They have a limited budget of £4500 and are looking for something that's good for short runs and capable of longer...