Analysis: Fleet storms back as average age of cars and light trucks in the US climbs to 12.2 years in 2022

The average age of light vehicles in the United States reached an all-time high in 2022, as the vehicle fleet climbed to 283 million passenger cars and light trucks. We look at the factors influencing the increase in average age, what it means for the aftermarket, and where it could be headed this year.

The average age of light vehicles in operation (VIO) in the US rose to 12.2 years this year, increasing by nearly two months over the prior year, according to new research from IHS Markit. This is the fifth consecutive year that the average vehicle age in the US has risen. This year’s average age marks another all-time high for the average age, even as the vehicle fleet recovered, growing by 3.5 million units in the past year.