[IshKebab]

My source is just personal observation, but I'm clearly not far off:

https://www.scrap-car-dealers.co.uk/latest-news/post/average...

> As of 2025, the average age of a scrapped car in the UK is between 16 and 20 years old!

...

> You can also buy used EVs.

True, but you're quite limited there since good EVs have only been around for a very small number of years. Maybe you can get an old Tesla for not too much but that's pretty undesirable for obvious reasons.

[pjc50]

> True, but you're quite limited there since good EVs have only been around for a very small number of years

You'd think that, but (I am shopping at the moment) it is routine to see last year's EVs on Autotrader, at 30-50% off list price. That does make me a little suspicious (is this being got rid of because it's a lemon?), but they're there.

I think we can narrow the statement to "if you are buying a new or nearly-new car, or leasing, and you can charge at home or work, you should seriously consider an EV". Fleet and business use should definitely be thinking very hard about it.

[Tepix]

There is a huge difference between these two statements:

> most people keep cars for 20 years or more

and

> the average age of a scrapped car in the UK is between 16 and 20 years old

Because the second fact doesn't tell you whether or not the 1st fact is true. After all, there is a second hand market where you can find cars of every age.

[jstanley]

If most people kept cars for 20 years, and the secondhand market exists, then by the time an average car is scrapped it must be substantially over 20 years old.