The U.S. vehicle fleet just hit another milestone: 12.8 years old

That’s the average age of light vehicles on the road today, a record high according to S&P Global Mobility.

This aging trend isn’t just trivia—it’s a signal.

From 2015–2019, the U.S. saw a boom in new vehicle registrations. Those vehicles are now rolling off warranty and into the aftermarket sweet spot for maintenance, repair, and service contract opportunities.

Some key insights:

• Passenger cars are now 14.5 years old on average
• Light trucks: 11.9 years
• EVs are still young at 3.7 years, but hybrids are maturing faster
• Vehicle scrappage rates remain flat, yet total fleet size continues to grow

This trend has powerful implications for:

• Auto repair chains
• Parts distributors
• Service contract providers
• Dealer service departments
• Any business tied to vehicle maintenance and lifecycle management

At Colonnade Advisors, we’re helping founders capitalize on macro tailwinds like these in the M&A market.

Let’s talk if you’re thinking about what’s next.