U.S. Car Fleet Average Age Rises to 11.6 Years

The average car on the road in the U.S. is 11.6 years old, up from 11.5 years in 2015 and 9.6 years in 2002, according to IHS Markit Ltd.

Owners also are keeping their cars longer, the London-based market research firm says. The average length of ownership for cars bought new rose by 1.5 months to a record 79.3 months last year. Consumers retain vehicles they bought used for an average 66 months.

IHS Markit reports the number of vehicles scrapped last year was unchanged at 11 million units, or about 4% of the active fleet. Scrappage volume hit a record high 14 million units in 2012.

The firm predicts the proportion of cars that are at least 16 years old will expand 30% to 81 million units by 2021. By then, it says, more than 20 million vehicles still in service will be more than 25 years old.