On average how long do you keep your car for?

[Meldrew2]

I like to buy cars nearly new (ie still under manufacturer warranty) but once bought, I'm happy to keep the car long term. I don't change my house every few years for a newer one. Likewise, I don't change SWMBO.

My W204 went after 5 years of ownership, because it had a number of electrical gremlins. The R170 only went - after 10 years plus - because it was no longer easy to get in and out because of my raging bones. The W163 has just gone - after 12 years plus - but only because of accident damage.

I'm not bothered about having the "latest shape" and consider that personalised plates are a pretty good investment as compared to wanting the latest year's registration.

 

[cheddar]

I've lost count of the cars I've owned (actually had my name on the logbook and not just bought to sell), was over 50 then I stopped counting.
It's only in the last 10 years that I started keeping them longer, and it's been around 2-3 years average.

first keeper was a 2002 VW passat V6 4-motion, fully loaded with solar panel roof etc, had it about 4 years.
We bought a nearly new audi A4 cabrio 2.0T in 2009, the wife still has it now. I liked it a lot and ended up getting a mint, low miles 2007 A4 avant 3.2 quattro S-line for myself, totally loaded with every single option. kept it 3 years before dipping my toes into MB, with a 2005 CLK55 AMG.
I loved that car, but after only a year, regretted buying a cabrio and fancied something a bit quicker so went for the CLK63 AMG coupe.
Still have that now, but it's time for a change and I've spent a small fortune on it, the wife is pressuring me into letting it go.

 

[littleowl]

If I like the car it will generally be kept for as long as it's serviceable and useful, my last car went after less than three years as although it was very cheap to run and had a huge amount of practical space I hated the gearbox! I've bought a few cars new which is always a lovely feeling but you lose thousands the minute you drive them away, so now I tend to buy nearly new or something with fairly low mileage. The longest car I had from new was a Subaru which never gave me any problems in 13 years but wasn't great on fuel and I had to start regularly driving long distances, so reluctantly it had to go after giving me 177k trouble free miles.

 

[Tony55781]

I've clicked 2-4 years but I've only had one car for more than 4 years, normally get bored really quickly and change every 2!

 

[optimusprime]

Only used to keep them till i got sick of them .And got rid after i had fixed all the faults .About 2 years max .
But this is my last car , after 30 or more in the past, you name them and i have had one of them . All but Rolls Royce and Bentley .Same with motor bikes .That was till i got knocked off my 500 AJS back in the 60s , by a woman in a Bubble car . Still putting up with the pain of that one even now .

 

[Gadgetmaster]

OK.

So what have you had for 27 years?

Ooh, Renault 12ts... The first car my father bought new, on the day my sister was born! I know which was less trouble

 

[Gadgetmaster]

5 years
28 next month and counting
4 years
6 horrible months
10 years (1st Merc)
3 years (2nd Merc)
4 years and counting (3rd Merc)
2 months and counting (4th Merc)
So, 8 cars over 29 years. Total years owned comes out at 54 years 8 months, but only 5 cars sold, so an average purchase to sale time of well over 10 years.

 

[renault12ts]

Ooh, Renault 12ts... The first car my father bought new, on the day my sister was born! I know which was less trouble

I'm confused by this...you are not MOCAS.

Edit: Your father's first new car was an R12TS?

 

[C43AMG]

6 Years

 

[Gadgetmaster]

I'm confused by this...you are not MOCAS.

Edit: Your father's first new car was an R12TS?

You got it. I loved that car.

 

[HappysmileyMOD]

On average how long do you keep your car for?

Please vote

edit: oops made an error with the poll options. There's a gap of 4-5 years. Oh well.
Admins: if you're feeling generous please edit option 4 to read 2-5 years. Thanks.

Tend to keep ours a long time. 1996 vectors and 2002 corsa on the drive

 

[abmunro]

I had approx 50 cars, I usually have 3 at any time.

I have found the older I get the longer I keep the cars.

 

[PabbyAMG]

in 10 years i've gone through 4 cars, the last one an Audi A4 Avant was hard to let go it was such a great car. But now given the c63 i think ill keep this one indefinitely and add another car to the mix as i really cant see myself every wanting to get rid of it. Always wanted one and now i have i think i would just keep it forever

 

[Pharrel]

I take after my father who's had over 60 cars in his life so I am always searching around even if I'm happy with what I currently got haha

 

[DITTRICH]

Car #1 w202 c230k 19 years so far
Car #2 s124 e300d 15 years
Car #3 s205 c200se 1 month!

 

[gianton]

7 to 10 years

 

[AMGeed]

Three to six years going by the last 3 I've owned.
Hopefully the latest will be at least 3 years as well..

 

[merc85]

Depends on how long it takes me to make it perfect lol

 

[aj_clc]

whats the world record for 1 owner car length? - i'm guessing the oldest person in the world might hold that record, but its by no means certain

 

[SimplyMB]

Normally keep for 1-2 years, then get bored with the car and look for new emotions...