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How Long Do Volkswagen Atlases Last? The Scoop on Vehicle Lifespan

in Reliability
Volkswagen Atlas driving down a country road

Source: Flickr

The Volkswagen Atlas is a mid-size three-row SUV, offering plenty of room for the entire family. It comes in four trim levels and pulls style and practicality into one excellent machine. If you’re interested in the Atlas for yourself, you might wonder - how long do Volkswagen Atlases last?

Although not many consider it when investing in their car, longevity plays a vital role in how far your money will stretch in your investment. The longer your Atlas survives, the more value you will get from your purchase. Read on to learn more about how many miles the Volkswagen Atlas lasts, what is high mileage for the car, and other valuable information. 

How Many Miles Does the Volkswagen Atlas Last?

How long do Volkswagen Atlases last? According to enginepatrol.com, a typical Volkswagen Atlas will last around 200,000 miles with excellent care and maintenance. Some will last longer, and others will fall apart far sooner - it all depends on what you put into your vehicle during its healthy lifespan.

According to progressive.com, here are some factors that will influence the lifespan of your Volkswagen Atlas:

  • Weather conditions you choose to drive in
  • Deferred repairs and maintenance
  • Accidents
  • Rust and corrosion
  • Hard driving

These could easily cut down your car’s life by a few years.

One of the biggest ways to extend your Atlas’s lifespan is by taking it to the mechanic whenever necessary. If it’s time for a tire rotation or an oil change, take it in. If you notice a serious break, take it in. The more often you react, the greater a chance your car has at survival.


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What Is High Mileage for the Volkswagen Atlas?

We discussed a typical lifespan for a Volkswagen Atlas, which is around 200,000 miles. This means that high mileage for the Volkswagen Atlas is around 170,000 miles. Anything around or past this point is far closer to reaching the tail end of the Atlas lifespan than ever before. It’s prone to more serious breaks than at other points in the Volkswagen Atlas’s life.

Most of the time, you want to go for a Volkswagen Atlas with less mileage on the system. However, if you see a newer year of the Volkswagen Atlas with higher mileage, it might be okay. So long as the previous owner took care of it, it should be a solid investment if you want to save a little money.

What Is a Good Mileage for the Volkswagen Atlas?

High mileage for the Volkswagen Atlas is around 170,000 miles. Thus, good mileage for the vehicle is anything around 180,000. Ideally, your vehicle should be able to reach this point before encountering any serious issues. Many will be able to get past this number with exceptional maintenance and care over time.

The more effort you put into your Volkswagen Atlas, the more likely you are to see it remain in your driveway for years to come. Always have a mechanic on hand - if you see a need for maintenance or sudden repairs, take it in right away to prevent anything from getting out of hand with the Volkswagen Atlas.

Should I Buy A Used Volkswagen Atlas With More Than 100k?

Although the Volkswagen Atlas isn’t the best at reliability, it’s safe to invest in a Volkswagen Atlas with more than 100,000 miles. However, there are a few steps you should take to ensure the Atlas is in good condition - not every used Volkswagen Atlas is created equal, and you don’t want to waste your money.

Take your used Volkswagen Atlas for a test drive before investing in it. Usually, this action will reveal strange noises and troubles in the driving system. Also, you could take your Volkswagen Atlas to a mechanic. They will get everything checked out for you to ensure it’s in solid condition before buying.


THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS

For decades, Volkswagen’s European-designed vehicles served the company well in the American market. If you’re considering a used version, you’ll need to know the most reliable Volkswagen Atlas years


At What Mileage Do Most Volkswagens Break Down?

Before investing in a Volkswagen Atlas, it’s helpful to determine the average lifespan for a car from Volkswagen in general. This information will reveal if it’s even a good idea to purchase a car from Volkswagen and, if so, how the Volkswagen Atlas stacks up against the manufacturer that brought it to life.

According to tombushvw.com, a typical Volkswagen will last 100,000-200,000 miles. This isn’t the best, but the Volkswagen Atlas comes in at the high end of the range. The Atlas is a solid option for a car from VW.

Common Volkswagen Atlas Issues

When considering the question - how long do Volkswagen Atlases last - it’s helpful to look at what you will get out of the Volkswagen Atlas, including some of the issues you will inevitably run into as an owner. The more you understand what could break down, the easier it will be to determine what it will cost to own a Volkswagen Atlas.

According to lemonlawaid.com, here are some common issues with the Volkswagen Atlas:

  • Trouble with the braking system
  • Faults with the transmission
  • Issues with the electrical and fuel system
  • Errors in the electrical area

These are some common errors in the Volkswagen Atlas.

The most likely place for you to note these troubles is in unreliable, older years of the Atlas with poor maintenance and repair and a high number on the odometer. However, note that they could arise in any year of the Volkswagen Atlas if you’re not careful. Address them as soon as they appear.


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Final Thoughts

How long do Volkswagen Atlases last? Typically, this car will survive around 200,000 miles if you put proper care into the system. Although it might seem like a pain, making an active effort to take your Atlas to the mechanic and drive carefully will ensure you get to keep the family car for as long as possible.

We hope this information was helpful! The better you understand the longevity of your Volkswagen Atlas, the easier it will be to determine if it’s the best choice for your life. Any car can last longer than expected if it receives proper care.



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