Junk Car Reaper, a nationwide junk car buyer that pays cash for cars, announced today the results of a nationwide study examining more than 65,000 end-of-life vehicles, revealing which makes and models deliver the longest lifespans and highest mileage before retirement. The analysis, drawn from vehicles processed through the company’s recycling network, offers one of the most comprehensive looks at real-world vehicle longevity in the United States. The full study is available here.

The study found that the Chevrolet Tahoe led all vehicles in mileage, averaging 198,308 miles at the time of retirement. The Ford Ranger stood out for age, reaching an average of 25.6 years, more than 50 percent longer than the national average vehicle lifespan of 17.1 years. Japanese brands also showed strong results, with Toyota and Honda placing multiple models in the top ten mileage rankings, while American trucks and SUVs demonstrated notable durability in terms of years on the road.

“What makes our data valuable is that it reflects actual vehicles at the end of their lifecycle,” said Ruston Graves, founder of Junk Car Reaper. “Many industry reports rely on projections or active vehicle listings. Our study is based on cars and trucks that have completed their service life, which gives a true picture of how long certain models last.”

Key findings include:

The Chevrolet Tahoe averaged nearly 200,000 miles before retirement, 23 percent above the national average.

The Ford Ranger averaged 25.6 years on the road, 50 percent longer than the typical U.S. vehicle lifespan.

Toyota and Honda models accounted for five of the top ten highest-mileage vehicles.

American trucks such as the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Suburban consistently exceeded national averages in both years and mileage.

The study differs from many commonly cited reports, which often measure potential longevity from active registrations or used car listings. By analyzing vehicles at the actual end of their usable life, Junk Car Reaper provides a uniquely complete picture of real-world durability. Each record in the dataset includes the final odometer reading, model year, and age at retirement, offering a level of detail that surveys or estimates cannot capture.

For consumers, the findings offer practical guidance. Shoppers considering reliability often rely on brand reputation, but this data shows that specific models deliver significantly above-average lifespans. A Honda Accord with 100,000 miles, for example, still has potentially 84,000 miles of remaining life based on observed averages. Buyers who value longevity can also find strong performance in American pickups like the Ford Ranger, which regularly remain in service decades beyond their peers.

The dataset also underscores the diversity of long-lasting vehicles. Large SUVs like the Chevrolet Suburban, family minivans like the Honda Odyssey, and hybrids like the Toyota Prius all appear in the top rankings. This suggests that engineering quality and consistent maintenance practices can matter more than vehicle category alone.

Junk Car Reaper’s nationwide reach gives the study additional strength. Vehicles analyzed came from large metropolitan areas as well as smaller towns, reflecting a broad geographic sample. This variety makes the results more representative of the U.S. market and more useful for car owners who want insights that go beyond regional or anecdotal trends.

Junk Car Reaper has purchased more than 25,000 vehicles since its founding in 2024. By processing cars, trucks, and SUVs at the end of their lifecycle, the company has a unique vantage point to evaluate which vehicles endure longest. Publishing studies like this one reflects the company’s commitment to transparency, consumer education, and a deeper understanding of the automotive lifecycle.

This announcement highlights Junk Car Reaper’s role as both a nationwide junk car buyer and a source of original automotive research. By sharing insights from its recycling network, the company strengthens its position as a trusted resource for drivers, buyers, and industry professionals. To read the complete rankings and full methodology, visit: The Longest-Lasting Cars, Trucks, and SUVs in America.

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For more information about Junk Car Reaper, contact the company here:

Junk Car Reaper
Ruston Graves
(877) 451-4417
contact@junkcarreaper.com
United States