The Average Price for a New Car is Above $50,000: Why Longevity Is More Invaluable Than Ever

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Prices are climbing everywhere. And while there’s certainly an argument to be made that newer vehicles introduce more advanced tech, and warrant a higher price tag, it’s still alarming to see that in September, the average transaction for new car purchases was the highest ever in the United States — $50,080 according to Kelley Blue Book. This has been shown to be a 3.6 percent increase year-over-year over the average price in 2024. The new vehicle market is inflationary and right now, the market is high. That could change anytime. But this also helps to highlight the need for reliable, long-term vehicles.

Longevity is one of the most valuable features you’ll find in any make and model. Not just that, standard maintenance and repair becomes absolutely critical to preserving that value. Who wants to buy a new vehicle back-to-back just a couple years later because of preventable failures? It’s one thing if you have an accident and don’t have a choice, or fortunately, have the budget to trade in vehicles often. For everyone else, maintenance is a must.

Dissecting the Price Increase

Another factor contributing to the higher average price is a boost in electric vehicles sold, which, traditionally, cost more than gas-only vehicles. A record 437,487 EVs were sold during the first quarter of 2025, for example, with the total share of the market reaching 10.5%. No, that’s not a huge foothold but it is a sizable increase for the year.

Moreover, the initial estimate for average EV price transaction is $58,124 in September, 2025, supporting that overall average boost. Not to mention, it’s more difficult than ever to find a vehicle for $20,000 or under brand new, if not impossible. If you’re buying used or pre-owned things are different but even the prices for those are higher than normal.

So, it’s somewhat disingenuous to say that, in totality, the average price of every type of vehicle, including gas-only, is inordinate. That doesn’t change the fact that as prices increase everywhere it’s becoming more and more important to make our day-to-day necessities last, whether you’re talking about your vehicle for commutes, shopping, and errands or a laptop you use for work and school. You should be taking care of everything you own to avoid frequent replacements.

What Does Longevity Mean for Vehicles?

Longevity can be achieved through regular preventative care. Yes, accidents happen and sometimes technology breaks down, cars included, but the better you treat your vehicle the more likely it is to last longer.

What does that mean on a surface level? It means regular system and engine checks, keeping up with fluids like oils and changes, swapping filters at the right mileage points, cleaning the exterior and interior, replacing or caring for parts that are malfunctioning, keeping up with fuses and electrical concerns and administering proper battery maintenance. If you’re not driving a vehicle for a while it might be best to unplug the battery from the main terminals, for instance. It’s also good practice to do this during the winter or cold weather months for vehicles that aren’t being used.

But the best way to care for a modern vehicle, stretching all the way back to vehicles from the early 90s, is to get an OBD2 scanner. An OBD2 scanner plugs into the diagnostic port in your vehicle to read error codes, when they are flagged by the vehicle’s computer. More importantly, you can use the tool to collect and read real-time data about performance, tire pressures, electrical systems, and beyond. Imagine being able to spot a potential problem before it causes damage or the vehicle breaks down. That’s what a scanner can offer.

We highly recommend that everyone own a scanner or add one to their garage or workshop. Having one on hand is convenient when something goes wrong. But it’s also beneficial for keeping up on preventative maintenance and keeping your vehicle(s) in tip-top shape, allowing you to spot issues before they cause problems.

Let’s say you encounter an ABS brake code flagged by your vehicle’s computer. The Innova OBD2 scanners will provide enough information to understand why this is happening, but also to track down a fix. If the repairs are too advanced for DIY, and you can’t do them yourself, you still know exactly what’s wrong so you know where to seek out help. Also knowing the source of the problem helps you better negotiate prices for those repairs.

In a World of Rising Costs

Cue movie narrator voice. In a world, where costs are rising and everything is costing too much damn money, one person can make all the difference with a simple solution. One, advanced, tool can help you get to the bottom of everything wrong with your vehicle, extending its life, saving money and helping you navigate a volatile market.

These days, one of these tools costs no more than a family dinner at a decent restaurant or a date night out. You’re doing yourself a disservice by not owning one. Take a look at what kind of scanners Innova offers, we have options for every type of DIY-mechanic and every budget.

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