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Americans' aging autos

May 09, 2014

From 2008 through 2012, Consumer Expenditure Survey data show that households held on to their vehicles longer, increasing the average age of Americans’ cars, trucks, SUVs and vans. The Consumer Expenditure Survey also collects households’ spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs. This interactive chart allows users to explore vehicle maintenance and repair expenditures as these vehicles age. The expected expenditure amounts represent what owners of one or more vehicles might expect to pay for maintenance and repairs depending on the age of the vehicle.

In 2012, households owning vehicles less than 5 years old reported the lowest maintenance and repair costs per vehicle. Households with vehicles averaging 6–15 years of age paid $151 more per vehicle per year, on average, for maintenance and repair than did households with newer vehicles. Interestingly, average maintenance and repair expenditures per vehicle dropped 16 percent as the average age of the vehicle increased to 16-20 years and then dropped by another 5 percent as the vehicle’s age went beyond 20 years, before rising slightly as the age of the vehicle reached 26 years or older.

Chart Image
Chart Data

Maintenance and repair expenditures by average vehicle age, 2012
Series	Expenditure	New-5 yrs	6-10 yrs	11-15 yrs	16-20 yrs	21-25 yrs	26+ yrs	Mean
1-yr avg Estimate	Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other additives	$1.10	$1.93	$3.80	$5.48	$5.45	$4.45	$3.11
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other additives	2%	4%	7%	10%	11%	10%	6%
1-yr avg Estimate	Tires - purchased, replaced, installed	101.75	122.37	92.05	69.89	46.88	43.02	98.31
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Tires - purchased, replaced, installed	7%	11%	11%	10%	8%	9%	10%
1-yr avg Estimate	Parts, equipment, and accessories	15.32	24.12	32.19	34.07	29.93	132.27	29.98
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Parts, equipment, and accessories	5%	9%	12%	13%	14%	16%	10%
1-yr avg Estimate	Vehicle audio & video equipment	2.75	2.54	3.25	1.1	0.57	2.14	2.5
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Vehicle audio & video equipment	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	1%	Less than 0.5%
1-yr avg Estimate	Vehicle products and cleaning services	10.85	8.72	5.64	3.87	3.42	4.14	6.99
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. Vehicle products and cleaning services	8%	8%	6%	5%	4%	5%	7%
1-yr avg Estimate	Body work and painting	29.04	18.17	16.45	14.87	22.8	16.11	18.53
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Body work and painting	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%	2%	1%
1-yr avg Estimate	Clutch, transmission repair	8.66	21.7	27.08	16.13	31.1	10.52	21.35
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Clutch, transmission repair	Less than 0.5%	1%	1%	1%	3%	1%	1%
1-yr avg Estimate	Brake work, including adjustments	25.48	48.75	44.81	29.58	30.66	17.02	40.82
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Brake work, including adjustments	3%	7%	7%	6%	6%	6%	6%
1-yr avg Estimate	Repair to steering or front-end	6.65	17.35	16.51	16.96	11.54	17.91	15.62
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Repair to steering or front-end	Less than 0.5%	2%	2%	2%	1%	1%	2%
1-yr avg Estimate	Repair to engine cooling system	3.78	8.99	21.43	10.31	14.01	11.8	12.83
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Repair to engine cooling system	1%	1%	3%	2%	2%	3%	2%
1-yr avg Estimate	Motor tune-up	30.33	37.81	42.25	32.69	33.57	23.72	37.18
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Motor tune-up	4%	6%	6%	5%	5%	4%	5%
1-yr avg Estimate	Lube, oil change, and oil filters	63.75	65.54	50.32	36.21	30.16	25.36	54.11
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Lube, oil change, and oil filters	41%	47%	40%	31%	28%	24%	41%
1-yr avg Estimate	Front-end alignment, wheel balance and rotation	13.21	15.60	12.29	11.15	11.08	4.52	13.22
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Front-end alignment, wheel balance and rotation	4%	4%	4%	3%	3%	2%	4%
1-yr avg Estimate	Shock absorber, replacement	0.62	4.73	6.45	1.96	7.97	1.37	4.51
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Shock absorber, replacement	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	1%	Less than 0.5%	1%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%
1-yr avg Estimate	Repair tires and other repair work	25.98	41.87	32.83	26.14	31.93	18.84	34.16
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Repair tires and other repair work	5%	7%	7%	7%	7%	7%	7%
1-yr avg Estimate	Vehicle air conditioning repair	1.38	14.92	11.97	13.47	5.47	7.16	11.7
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Vehicle air conditioning repair	Less than 0.5%	2%	2%	2%	1%	2%	2%
1-yr avg Estimate	Exhaust system repair	1.62	6.71	12.49	10.43	4.45	4.9	8.34
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Exhaust system repair	Less than 0.5%	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%
1-yr avg Estimate	Electrical system repair	2.20	17.15	23.52	17.03	13.48	11.63	17.22
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Electrical system repair	1%	3%	3%	3%	3%	3%	3%
1-yr avg Estimate	Motor repair, replacement	13.68	39.89	56.54	69.41	58.16	81.83	48.02
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Motor repair, replacement	1%	3%	4%	4%	4%	5%	3%
1-yr avg Estimate	Auto repair service policy	18.41	9.12	4.09	1.94	4.06	2.94	7.23
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Auto repair service policy	1%	1%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%
1-yr avg Estimate	Vehicle insurance	795.37	635.68	549.38	502.22	446.48	384.63	593.91
1-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Vehicle insurance	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
3-yr avg Estimate	Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other additives	0.94	1.65	3.71	5.30	4.18	4.31	2.83
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other additives	2%	4%	8%	11%	10%	11%	6%
3-yr avg Estimate	Tires - purchased, replaced, installed	88.75	112.54	84.23	65.01	57.69	39.65	91.13
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Tires - purchased, replaced, installed	7%	11%	10%	10%	10%	8%	10%
3-yr avg Estimate	Parts, equipment, and accessories	15.8	23.51	29.25	37.66	33.23	76.16	27.77
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Parts, equipment, and accessories	5%	9%	11%	14%	14%	17%	10%
3-yr avg Estimate	Vehicle audio & video equipment	4.26	2.08	2.32	1.74	0.89	1.59	2.31
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Vehicle audio & video equipment	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	1%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	1%	Less than 0.5%
3-yr avg Estimate	Vehicle products and cleaning services	9.59	7.08	4.18	3.25	2.36	2.62	5.70
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. Vehicle products and cleaning services	7%	7%	5%	4%	4%	4%	6%
3-yr avg Estimate	Body work and painting	21.33	18.98	16.1	14.12	14.28	13.08	17.43
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Body work and painting	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%
3-yr avg Estimate	Clutch, transmission repair	5.46	22.52	27.05	19.46	19.03	11.99	21.14
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Clutch, transmission repair	Less than 0.5%	1%	1%	1%	2%	1%	1%
3-yr avg Estimate	Brake work, including adjustments	27.12	49.77	43.93	33.51	26.26	16.81	41.54
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Brake work, including adjustments	3%	7%	7%	6%	5%	5%	6%
3-yr avg Estimate	Repair to steering or front-end	4.68	14.71	17.25	19.88	8.05	13.12	14.66
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Repair to steering or front-end	Less than 0.5%	2%	2%	2%	1%	1%	2%
3-yr avg Estimate	Repair to engine cooling system	4.73	12.23	20.71	15.64	13.14	9.92	14.36
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Repair to engine cooling system	1%	2%	3%	3%	2%	3%	2%
3-yr avg Estimate	Motor tune-up	27.9	39.30	37.02	28.83	27.68	21.84	35.06
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Motor tune-up	4%	6%	6%	5%	5%	5%	5%
3-yr avg Estimate	Lube, oil change, and oil filters	61.74	60.67	46.73	35.06	27.61	21.55	51.02
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Lube, oil change, and oil filters	41%	46%	39%	31%	26%	24%	40%
3-yr avg Estimate	Front-end alignment, wheel balance and rotation	11.79	13.43	13.42	11.64	7.09	3.57	12.52
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Front-end alignment, wheel balance and rotation	4%	4%	4%	3%	2%	2%	4%
3-yr avg Estimate	Shock absorber, replacement	0.85	4.47	5.35	3.54	3.11	0.60	4.05
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Shock absorber, replacement	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	1%	1%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%
3-yr avg Estimate	Repair tires and other repair work	27.8	37.79	36.93	31.35	31.35	24.88	34.98
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Repair tires and other repair work	6%	8%	7%	7%	7%	6%	7%
3-yr avg Estimate	Vehicle air conditioning repair	3.94	10.19	11.70	10.11	9.39	5.59	9.77
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Vehicle air conditioning repair	1%	1%	2%	2%	1%	2%	1%
3-yr avg Estimate	Exhaust system repair	2.51	5.91	12.49	8.77	10.18	7.76	8.11
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Exhaust system repair	Less than 0.5%	1%	2%	1%	1%	1%	1%
3-yr avg Estimate	Electrical system repair	7.43	19.58	24.72	20.61	20.86	11.28	19.72
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Electrical system repair	1%	3%	3%	3%	4%	3%	3%
3-yr avg Estimate	Motor repair, replacement	8.65	40.6	55.74	61.04	54.83	49.63	44.88
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Motor repair, replacement	1%	3%	4%	4%	4%	4%	3%
3-yr avg Estimate	Auto repair service policy	23.49	11.04	3.61	2.19	1.93	7.52	8.64
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Auto repair service policy	1%	1%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	1%
3-yr avg Estimate	Vehicle insurance	771.52	624.52	531.11	464.08	409.49	361.66	577.89
3-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Vehicle insurance	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
5-yr avg Estimate	Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other additives	0.90	1.68	3.52	4.91	4.23	4.18	2.65
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other additives	2%	4%	8%	11%	10%	12%	6%
5-yr avg Estimate	Tires - purchased, replaced, installed	85.55	103.43	77.87	60.44	55.7	44.26	85.35
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Tires - purchased, replaced, installed	8%	10%	10%	9%	9%	8%	10%
5-yr avg Estimate	Parts, equipment, and accessories	14.89	22.79	27.87	36.65	36.52	62.03	26.27
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Parts, equipment, and accessories	5%	9%	11%	14%	15%	17%	10%
5-yr avg Estimate	Vehicle audio & video equipment	2.73	1.14	1.59	1.49	0.90	0.88	1.51
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Vehicle audio & video equipment	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%
5-yr avg Estimate	Vehicle products and cleaning services	8.67	6.31	3.86	2.98	2.22	2.31	5.26
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. Vehicle products and cleaning services	7%	6%	5%	4%	4%	4%	5%
5-yr avg Estimate	Body work and painting	21.82	19.54	15.07	13.49	15.08	14.61	17.54
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Body work and painting	2%	1%	1%	1%	1%	2%	1%
5-yr avg Estimate	Clutch, transmission repair	6.10	22.17	28.16	19.67	20.25	18.39	21.35
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Clutch, transmission repair	1%	1%	2%	1%	2%	2%	1%
5-yr avg Estimate	Brake work, including adjustments	28.15	50.78	42.77	34.2	23.78	20.7	41.78
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Brake work, including adjustments	4%	7%	7%	6%	5%	5%	6%
5-yr avg Estimate	Repair to steering or front-end	6.24	14.43	15.81	17.15	8.89	10.63	13.78
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Repair to steering or front-end	1%	2%	2%	2%	1%	1%	2%
5-yr avg Estimate	Repair to engine cooling system	4.56	12.71	20.95	16.49	15.90	12.34	14.61
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Repair to engine cooling system	1%	2%	3%	3%	2%	3%	2%
5-yr avg Estimate	Motor tune-up	28.05	37.95	35.22	27.69	24.4	22.05	33.75
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Motor tune-up	5%	6%	6%	5%	5%	5%	5%
5-yr avg Estimate	Lube, oil change, and oil filters	62.8	57.68	44.37	33.22	26.92	22.57	49.59
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Lube, oil change, and oil filters	44%	46%	38%	31%	26%	24%	40%
5-yr avg Estimate	Front-end alignment, wheel balance and rotation	10.27	12.2	11.71	9.38	6.10	3.87	11.05
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Front-end alignment, wheel balance and rotation	4%	4%	3%	3%	2%	2%	3%
5-yr avg Estimate	Shock absorber, replacement	0.87	4.09	5.12	3.26	2.88	1.52	3.76
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Shock absorber, replacement	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	1%	1%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%
5-yr avg Estimate	Repair tires and other repair work	26.99	39.77	33.57	31.53	26.59	23.38	34.42
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Repair tires and other repair work	6%	8%	7%	7%	6%	6%	7%
5-yr avg Estimate	Vehicle air conditioning repair	2.79	9.26	10.52	10.25	8.85	4.21	8.77
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Vehicle air conditioning repair	Less than 0.5%	1%	2%	2%	1%	1%	1%
5-yr avg Estimate	Exhaust system repair	2.41	6.38	11.17	8.33	9.28	8.15	7.64
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Exhaust system repair	Less than 0.5%	1%	2%	1%	1%	1%	1%
5-yr avg Estimate	Electrical system repair	7.24	18.4	24.2	22.18	21.92	17.19	19.19
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Electrical system repair	1%	3%	3%	3%	3%	3%	3%
5-yr avg Estimate	Motor repair, replacement	11.02	42.56	58.53	54.54	50.46	46.82	44.90
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Motor repair, replacement	1%	3%	4%	4%	4%	4%	3%
5-yr avg Estimate	Auto repair service policy	26.19	10.58	3.65	1.98	3.76	7.98	9.26
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Auto repair service policy	1%	1%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	1%
5-yr avg Estimate	Vehicle insurance	749.05	626.19	523.3	456.18	406.1	370.53	577.87
5-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Vehicle insurance	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
10-yr avg Estimate	Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other additives	0.87	1.62	3.14	4.20	3.94	4.04	2.32
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other additives	3%	5%	8%	11%	11%	13%	7%
10-yr avg Estimate	Tires - purchased, replaced, installed	70.88	83.84	65.81	52.43	49.52	43.76	71.40
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Tires - purchased, replaced, installed	7%	11%	10%	9%	10%	9%	10%
10-yr avg Estimate	Parts, equipment, and accessories	14.05	22.57	28.88	35.6	40.06	56.6	25.64
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Parts, equipment, and accessories	6%	10%	13%	15%	17%	19%	11%
10-yr avg Estimate	Vehicle audio & video equipment	1.61	1.27	1.50	1.50	1.16	1.04	1.40
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Vehicle audio & video equipment	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%
10-yr avg Estimate	Vehicle products and cleaning services	4.85	3.82	2.52	1.9	1.54	1.99	3.31
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. Vehicle products and cleaning services	4%	4%	3%	3%	3%	3%	3%
10-yr avg Estimate	Body work and painting	21.86	20.62	17.12	12.84	15.08	22.10	18.85
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Body work and painting	2%	2%	2%	1%	1%	2%	2%
10-yr avg Estimate	Clutch, transmission repair	8.34	25.05	31.01	23.78	20.63	20.75	23.59
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Clutch, transmission repair	1%	2%	2%	2%	2%	2%	2%
10-yr avg Estimate	Brake work, including adjustments	26.43	46.25	39.42	31.11	23.84	21.65	38.27
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Brake work, including adjustments	4%	7%	7%	6%	5%	5%	6%
10-yr avg Estimate	Repair to steering or front-end	4.73	12.9	15.62	14.36	7.4	12.09	12.27
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Repair to steering or front-end	1%	2%	2%	2%	1%	1%	1%
10-yr avg Estimate	Repair to engine cooling system	4.74	13.64	19.52	15.48	13.06	12.32	13.95
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Repair to engine cooling system	1%	2%	3%	3%	3%	2%	2%
10-yr avg Estimate	Motor tune-up	27.89	36.21	32.39	25.43	22.68	23.54	31.92
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Motor tune-up	5%	6%	6%	5%	5%	5%	6%
10-yr avg Estimate	Lube, oil change, and oil filters	57.83	51.15	39.07	29.11	23.39	21.36	44.95
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Lube, oil change, and oil filters	45%	45%	37%	30%	26%	25%	40%
10-yr avg Estimate	Front-end alignment, wheel balance and rotation	7.55	10.22	9.72	7.48	5.73	5.25	9.09
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Front-end alignment, wheel balance and rotation	3%	3%	3%	3%	2%	2%	3%
10-yr avg Estimate	Shock absorber, replacement	0.98	3.41	4.34	2.59	2.40	1.72	3.11
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Shock absorber, replacement	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	1%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%
10-yr avg Estimate	Repair tires and other repair work	26.79	35.8	33.34	27.78	24.3	21.77	32.11
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Repair tires and other repair work	7%	8%	8%	7%	7%	6%	8%
10-yr avg Estimate	Vehicle air conditioning repair	3.27	10.31	11.12	9.40	8.05	5.99	9.13
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Vehicle air conditioning repair	1%	1%	2%	1%	1%	1%	1%
10-yr avg Estimate	Exhaust system repair	2.48	6.88	10.36	8.76	8.24	7.19	7.38
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Exhaust system repair	Less than 0.5%	1%	2%	2%	2%	2%	1%
10-yr avg Estimate	Electrical system repair	7.65	18.79	22.28	19.55	17.68	13.28	17.88
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Electrical system repair	1%	3%	4%	4%	3%	3%	3%
10-yr avg Estimate	Motor repair, replacement	17.09	45.94	56.55	48.53	48.52	57.44	44.77
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Motor repair, replacement	1%	3%	4%	4%	4%	4%	3%
10-yr avg Estimate	Auto repair service policy	17.31	8.15	3.23	1.54	2.88	5.03	7.31
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Auto repair service policy	1%	1%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	Less than 0.5%	1%
10-yr avg Estimate	Vehicle insurance	745.57	625.88	512.46	441.97	399.24	356.11	580.78
10-yr avg Frequency	Freq. of Vehicle insurance	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Declining expenditures on routine maintenance, such as oil changes, tire repair or replacement, body work, brakework, front-end alignment, and vehicle cleaning, are associated with older vehicles. Motor tuneups, electrical system repairs, exhaust system repairs, engine cooling system repairs, and related fluid costs peak for vehicles in the 11- to 15-year age range and remain higher for vehicles older than 15 years. Of all expenditures, those for vehicle parts, equipment, and accessories increase most as vehicles age. Also, higher expenditures for motor repair and replacement are observed in vehicles 26 years and older. The higher expenditures associated with vehicles in that age range appear to be heavily influenced by owners of classic cars.

These data come from the Consumer Expenditure Survey program. The expenditure levels are not adjusted for changes in consumer prices. To learn more, see "Americans' aging autos" (HTML) (PDF), by Ryan Pfirrmann-Powell, Beyond the Numbers, May 2014.

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Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Americans' aging autos at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2014/ted_20140509.htm (visited March 13, 2026).

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