Rising Mileage and Aging Vehicles on UK Roads
The average age of vehicles on the roads in Britain is increasing, with more cars exceeding 100,000 miles than ever before. A new study has revealed that one in seven vehicles on the road has over 100,000 miles on the odometer. This trend reflects a growing tendency for drivers to keep their cars for longer periods, driven by economic factors and improved vehicle reliability.
According to data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), more than six million vehicles passed their MOT last year with over 100,000 miles. Of the 42.5 million vehicles currently in use, 400,000 have surpassed 200,000 miles, while 43,000 have crossed the 300,000-mile mark. Notably, 2,700 vehicles have recorded between 500,000 and one million miles.
Experts suggest that this increase in vehicle age is due to a ‘make do and mend’ approach among drivers, as they look to cut costs amid rising living expenses. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reports that almost half of all cars – 45.7 per cent – are now more than a decade old. The average age of vehicles has risen from six years and a month in 2003 to nine years and eight months last year, marking the oldest average since records began.
The DVSA data was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by online marketplace eBay. It highlights that hybrid and electric vehicles are proving just as durable as traditional petrol and diesel models. More than 160,000 hybrids and over 25,000 electric vehicles have cleared 100,000 miles.
Despite the high mileage of many vehicles passing MOT tests, eBay’s research found that four out of five motorists – 81 per cent – are reluctant to buy a car with over 100,000 miles. Its survey of 2,000 drivers found the average vehicle mileage to be 58,134 miles, with owners typically keeping their cars for six years.
This suggests that modern engineering is extending vehicle lifespans beyond what many buyers expect. To challenge these misconceptions, eBay purchased a 2014 Toyota Prius with 293,000 miles on the clock. The company aims to keep it on the road for as long as possible using new and certified recycled parts.
Laura Kennedy, founder of London’s first all-female garage Spanners with Manners, explained: “Rising living costs are a major factor behind why many motorists are keeping their cars for longer. For many people, buying or leasing a new vehicle isn’t a priority right now, so they’re taking a proactive approach to maintenance or opting for reliable used makes and models.”
She added: “Modern cars are built to last far beyond what many drivers assume. With access to genuine new, used, and certified recycled parts, it’s easier and more affordable to keep older cars on the road. If a vehicle is well looked after, there’s no reason it can’t keep going well beyond that mileage.”
People often overlook high-mileage cars, but a well-maintained vehicle with more than 100,000 miles on the clock can be a bargain.
Traffic Growth and Popular Car Models
Explaining why drivers are stuck in more traffic jams than ever, the number of vehicles registered in Britain increased by 1.4 per cent to a record 42,549,649 motors last year, according to SMMT figures. Cars still dominate the roads, with 36.7 million total making up more than eight in ten – 82 per cent – of all vehicles.
Five models – the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, and Nissan Qashqai – make up one in seven – 14 per cent – of all cars on the road.
Millions of vehicle parts and accessories are available on eBay, with a My Garage tool allowing drivers to input their registration number to find compatible parts. Manufacturers such as Toyota, Ford, MINI, BMW, Renault, and Lexus have showrooms on eBay selling officially approved parts.
Abir Tewari, UK director of commercial operations, parts and accessories at eBay, said: “High-mileage cars can offer outstanding value, especially when they’ve been well maintained. Even the latest hybrid models, with their low running costs, are engineered to deliver high mileages. It’s easier than ever for drivers to find the right components to help keep their vehicles running smoothly well past the 100,000-mile mark.”
