For people who have been playing golf for a while, purchasing a golf cart can be a great, yet expensive investment.
Therefore, to know exactly what you are buying, you may want to know : how long do golf carts last?
In this article, we will tell you exactly how long golf carts last, how to know when your golf cart is no longer good, and give you tips to make your golf cart last longer.
How Long Do Golf Carts Last?
Golf carts tend to last between 5-8 years on average, although they can last over 10 years if well serviced & maintained, and you replace parts when required. The golf cart frame can last as long as 30-40 years according to golf cart manufacturers.
Golf carts are fairly expensive investments, as most of them range between 2,500$US to 20,000$US, so you expect them to last more than a couple of years.
There are two types of golf carts, electric golf carts and gas-powered golf carts. Coincidently, both types of golf carts tend to last, on average, 5-8 years, and longer if maintenance is done regularly and correctly.
However, gas carts tend to be more expensive to maintain and to require more maintenance as the carts are a bit more complex in construction, on top of requiring gas as fuel rather than electricity. Gas carts risk more things breaking because there are more moving parts.
Although golf carts last 5-8 years on average, the frame on which the cart is built can last 30-40 years according to golf cart manufacturers.
Basically, the metal golf cart frame does not have any moving parts, so it will last a long time. The components installed on the frame will fail much earlier than the frame itself, such as the engine/motor, the battery, the brakes, the tires, etc.
This means that if you replace the individual golf cart parts that break, you can make the golf cart last significantly longer, potentially as long as the frame lasts.
Golf carts batteries tend to last 3 to 10 years, and will last closer to 3 years if you use them frequently. For this reason, the batteries on golf carts belonging to golf courses usually last 3 to 6 years.
Finally, if you overcharge the battery, it will die quicker. You also need to check electrolyte levels to make sure the battery is functioning optimally. You can read our guide to look up certain golf cart battery related issues: How To Test Golf Cart Batteries? – Basic Troubleshooting.
When Is A Golf Cart No Longer Good?
A golf cart is no longer good when it will not turn on or drive anymore, or if the frame breaks. Golf carts can become good again if you repair dead components, such as engines, brakes, cables, batteries, etc. If the costs of repairing a golf cart exceeds the price of a new golf carts, the cart is no longer good.
The goal of having a golf cart is to have a vehicle, usable on golf courses, that drives faster than you can walk and is safe to operate. If any of these elements are not provided by the golf cart, it may no longer be good.
If the golf cart will not turn on or drive anymore, it may be dead, or maybe one of the components are dead. In these cases, you should bring your golf cart to a qualified garage and let them diagnose the issue.
If the costs of repair exceed the cost of a new golf cart, then the golf cart is no longer good. Buying a new golf cart would be more cost efficient in this case, and give you a breath of fresh air, although not necessarily the best for the environment.
There are many aspects of a golf cart that could cause it to not work anymore, such as a dead battery, disconnected wires, a loose timing belt in the engine, and so much more. If you are lucky, your local garage will find that just a tiny issue is preventing the golf cart from working correctly, and the repairs cost will be manageable.
How To Make A Golf Cart Last Longer?
A golf cart’s lifespan can increase by giving it proper care and maintenance regularly. Bring it to a garage for frequent check ups and replace any faulty parts. You need to check tire pressure, your battery, your engine, do the appropriate oil changes, check for leaks, store your cart in a covered temperature-controlled environment, and more.
You can greatly extend the shelf life of a golf cart through proper and regular care & maintenance. If you really perform great maintenance, your golf cart may last you 30 or more years.
The first thing you can do is to clean and wash your golf cart regularly. By cleaning your golf cart, you are removing dirt, mud and other kind of gunk that will affect your cart’s visuals, but also its internals.
In fact, old, dried up mud and dirt can nudge themselves inside the components of your golf carts, such as the wheels and axles. This build-up of unwanted material can actually slow down your golf cart by adding resistance, and maybe even kill components if you are unlucky.
The presence of a golf cart battery also increases the complexity of maintenance a lot. For example, you need to make sure the wires are well connected and in good condition. You also need to regularly check the electrolyte levels in the battery cells.
Furthermore, you need to watch out that you do not overcharge batteries because that will kill them. Unless you have an automatic charger, you will need to give extra attention to how much you charge your battery. You can find out more about golf cart battery maintenance by reading our article: How To Test Golf Cart Batteries? – Basic Troubleshooting.
An extremely important element of golf cart maintenance is where you store it. In fact, the best place to store a golf cart is indoors in a temperature-controlled environment.
A golf cart left in extreme weather, both cold and warm, can cause a huge amount of issues, like freezing your battery and killing it, or damaging your paint.
You commonly need to check the engine wires to make sure they are connected. Another important thing to do is to check tire pressure to avoid getting a flat tire and driving too slowly.
You also need to check your brakes to make sure they are still in good enough condition. Used up brakes on a golf cart could fail and send your cart into a bad accident.
Avoid driving your golf cart in water because that can cause short circuits. Do not drive your cart on wet, marshy parts of a golf course because it can get stuck or tip over, causing great damage.
Do not drive in heat waves because that can cause battery damage, damage to your paint & seats, and even prevent your cart from starting up.
If you have a gas-powered golf cart, you will need to get regular oil changes, just like a regular car would. Also, keep an eye out for oil leaks and any other types of leaks.
To avoid most of these issues, regularly bring your golf cart to a trustworthy garage to inspect the cart and give it scheduled maintenance. Every 6-12 months should avoid you most issues.
If you encounter any of the issues mentioned in this article, or other ones, the best way to fix them is to bring your golf cart to a trustworthy garage. Professionals will do a better job fixing your cart than you, and will save a lot of time and frustration.
Conclusion
There you go! After reading this article, you have discovered how long golf carts last, how to know when they are no longer good, and how to extend a golf cart’s lifetime.
With these tips, you will be better able to know if your potential investment in a golf cart will be a good one, especially when buying a second-hand cart.
Use the tips in this article, and you will add a few years of lifetime to your golf cart that serves you so well.
Have long did you expect a golf cart to last? Let us know in the comments down below!
