How long do trucks last?

Oct 7, 2021

Whether you’re looking to purchase a new truck or shopping for used trucks in Grand Forks, it’s important to know how long the average truck lasts. This enables you to estimate the value that your truck purchase can provide to you in order to make a more informed decision and get a truck that’s worth its price tag. This guide has everything you need to know about the longevity of modern trucks.

Trucks Have More Longevity Today

Blue truck parked no the side of a dirt road — Image via Flickr by Crown Star Images via CC BY 2.0

Many factors can determine the lifetime of a truck, including the make and model, the release year, how its previous owner used it, and how well it was maintained. The good news when shopping for a new or used truck, however, is that modern trucks are built with significantly more longevity than trucks in the past.

This means that when you purchase a modern truck, you can expect it to last for at least 10 years and 100,000 miles. With proper maintenance, you can extend those marks significantly, with the average truck being nearly twice as likely to last for 200,000 miles as the average vehicle.

How to Extend Your Truck’s Life

If you’re purchasing a new or used truck, it’s beneficial to know how to take care of your truck to make it last as long as possible. Extending the lifespan of your track is the most effective way to save money, as it means you can avoid the need to purchase a replacement too quickly. Follow these steps to help your truck last as long as possible.

Buy a truck that’s built to last: The make and model you choose to purchase plays a significant role in the longevity of your vehicle. According to a survey by ISeeCars.com,The Chevrolet Silverado boasts the highest percentage of trucks lasting over 200,000 miles from any American manufacturer. The GMC Sierra also posts strong numbers, as the third-most-consistent American truck.
Treat it with care: Just because your truck is built to manage a hard day of work doesn’t mean you have to make it any harder than is necessary. By driving with care and avoiding unnecessary bumps and hazards, you reduce the wear and tear on your truck and extend its life.
Check your levels regularly: Maintaining the fluid levels in your truck is an easy way to help protect it against damage. Ensuring that your truck has the necessary fluids, such as oil and coolant, enables it to operate at its best and minimizes damage from operation.
Stick to scheduled maintenance: Routine care, such as oil changes and checkups, is an essential part of truck maintenance. When a service professional provides one of these services to you, they will also let you know how many miles until you should take it in again. Maintaining a truck, or seeking servicing earlier if you put your truck through particularly strenuous work, can help keep it in better condition.
Pay attention to warning signs: As you drive your truck, you’ll come to know what to expect from it and recognize when it’s behaving differently than you would otherwise expect. Just like you should take it in for professional servicing when warning lights come on, you should visit a service professional if you notice any strange sights, smells, or behaviors behind the wheel.
Trust professional service: Seeking professional truck maintenance from certified service professionals is the best way to ensure that all repairs are completed correctly. By taking your truck to a service center you can trust, you ensure that you’ll receive the correct work and that service professionals will identify any potential small problems before they become big ones.
Use premium parts: Another area where spending a little more now can save you a lot in the future is in the parts you use in your vehicle. Premium parts provide better performance and tend to have longer lifespans.

How to Assess The Remaining Lifespan of a Used Truck

Before purchasing a used truck, it’s valuable to estimate how many more miles you think you can drive it. Use these steps to determine how many miles it has been driven already and how many more you can expect:

Check the odometer: The most basic consideration when assessing a vehicle’s lifespan is its current odometer, as this lets you know how many miles it has already been driven to compare your lifespan expectations against.
Consider the make and model: Different trucks have different longevity, so it’s important to consider if you are choosing a vehicle such as a Chevrolet Silverado with a reputation as a long-lasting vehicle or another option with a shorter lifespan.
Ask the dealer for information: The staff at Rydell Chevrolet Buick GMC are here to help you in your truck search and will happily provide you with any information we have about a truck you’re interested in so you can make a more informed estimation on the wear and tear it has experienced.
Inspect the vehicle: A visual inspection is a basic way to check a potential purchase for any indications of hard use or warning signs. A vehicle that looks pristine to you, on the other hand, likely represents a vehicle that was internally maintained as well.
Check the truck’s history: Requesting a formal vehicle history on a truck you consider enables you to learn if it has been in any accidents or received any servicing that might affect your estimation for the longevity of the truck.
Take a test drive: There is no substitute for seeing how it feels to drive a vehicle when assessing its condition. By taking a test drive, you can note how smoothly it rides in order to determine if it appears to be in good condition.

If you are ready to shop for a truck in Grand Forks today, the staff at Rydell Chevrolet Buick GMC can’t wait to meet you. Our team will work with you to find a vehicle that fits your budget and that has many years and miles of fantastic work left to do. If you have any questions, fill out our online contact form, call us, or come see us in person. We’re excited to meet you!