Does Mileage Matter When Buying A Used Car
- Does mileage matter when buying a used car?
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In the world of used cars, two factors, in particular, will always play a role in the price you pay: mileage and age.
As a rule of thumb, higher mileage usually goes together with a lower price. This is because key features like parts, suspension components and other mechanisms are created to last for a set time. The longer a vehicle is used, the more wear and tear occurs on these features.
While a ten-year-old car is almost always less expensive than a three-year-old car, it is important to consider its odometer and the type of miles that have been racked up behind the wheel.
Below, we explain how much mileage is good for a used car and how types of mileage differ.
How Many Miles Should A Car Have For Its Age
A decent estimation to use to figure out the usage of a car is to divide the mileage by its age in years. Assume any car was bought the year before its model year , divide the total mileage by its age in years. If you end up with more than 12,000 miles per year, that vehicle has seen more than average mileage in its time. If that number is more like 10,000 miles or less per year, you could consider that lower-than-average usage. A vehicle will usually cost less according to how many miles it has already been driven.
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Buying A High Mileage Car: How High Is Too High
Used Cars: How Many Miles is Too Much?
A question that is asked often is how many miles is too much on a used car? It is true that the age of the engine can be measured by how many miles are on the car but it is also true that if a car is taken care of the engine can last well into the 200,000-mile range. To decide whether or not a used car has too many miles you will need to also assess the age of the car. For example, if you want to buy a 2019 car but it already has 100,000 miles on it then most likely it has been driven hard to accumulate that many miles in a short amount of time. Even though it is a relatively new car, the engine has a lot of use on it already and the average miles per year is high.
On the other hand, a 2014 vehicle that has 100,000 miles shows that the vehicle hasnt been driven as much and therefore is more likely to be in better shape and have a more affordable price tag. When it comes to how many miles is too many miles there isnt a hard and fast rule. To get a better idea of what a good mileage is for a particular vehicle, we are going to look at the question year by year. The used mileage chart below shows the average mileage you should expect on a used car depending on the year of the vehicle. On average, a good used vehicle only has about 15,000 miles put on it each year.
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How Many Miles On A Used Car Is Too Little
There is no hard-and-fast rule for how many miles is too little. In general, a used car with low mileage is usually a good decision, even when mileage seems unusually low. There are some signs that could indicate the car hasnt been driven enough. However, youll first need to make sure that the odometer reading is accurate.
If you believe the odometer reading is accurate, you should have the car inspected by a professional mechanic. While this is a good rule to follow when purchasing any new vehicle, its particularly important in situations where a car has very low mileage, because if the car has been sitting for a long time, certain parts could have dried out and may require immediate repair or replacement.
A used car technician or mechanic typically has a checklist of what they need to evaluate on a used vehicle. Their inspection should include an overview of the cars conditions, such as its body and finish, glass, and mirrors. They will also evaluate the condition of the engine, brakes, and tires and scan the control system, as well as take the vehicle on a test drive to evaluate its overall performance. Most experienced technicians will be able to tell you immediately if something isnt right with the vehicle, whether there are issues that need to be addressed right away and whether you should anticipate future problems.
Whats An Acceptable Mileage On A Used Car
So, then, whats the magic mileage number when youre out to buy used cars?
If you do a simple online search, youll find that auto experts recommend a well-used car shouldnt register more than 12,000 miles a year. So, if the car youre looking to buy is 5 years old, it should have no more than 70,000 miles on it.
To be practical, a car with 70K miles can be a good buy, considering that all other factors hold up.
Unfortunately, theres no magic number. Theres no guarantee that a car with lower mileage will end up being your best buy.
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How Many Miles Are Too Many For A Used Car
Technological advancements in the automotive industry had led to several improvements to passenger vehicles. Modern powertrains are capable of achieving greater fuel economy while decreasing carbon monoxide emissions. Through active and passive safety systems, passengers are now equipped with an additional layer of protection.
Despite the manufacturers effort to create the most durable components, failures are somewhat unavoidable. Mileage can be a strong indicator of the state of the engine, transmission, and suspension. However, with the increase in the number of electronic parts that make up the modern car, determining the mileage limit has become more challenging.
How Old Of A Used Car Should I Buy
Its worth reiterating the annual average yearly mileage for a typical commuter is 12,000-15,000 miles a year. This means a five-year old car is likely sitting at 60,000 75,000 miles a ten-year old car is likewise showing 120,000 150,000 miles on the odometer.
At a certain point in a cars life, unexpected repairs will begin occurring with increasing frequency. Theres no hard age or mileage at which this happens, but often enough it occurs around when the car is 8-10 years old and 100,000-120,000 miles. This is inevitable the engineers cant build cars to last forever. If theres a certain age or mileage to avoid, its the decade-old car whose odometer reading is already displaying six figures.
Mileage and vehicle age are indelibly tied together, but just like mileage, there is no single right answer as to whats a good age for a used vehicle. Generally you want the newest car you can afford in your budget. But the usual used-car considerations persist if theres a car thats a year or two older than you would like but was maintained well and never in an accident, its a better buy than a newer car that has been in an accident or poorly maintained. As always, overall condition is paramount.
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How Many Miles Is Too Many On A Used Car
Whether you own a car already or are considering buying a used car, youve probably thought about the question: how many miles is too many on a used car? Understanding how the mileage on your current or potential car will affect its performance can help you make a wise purchasing decision and plan for the future.
How Many Miles Is Too Many When Shopping For A Used Car
A well-maintained car can last for many years, so be sure to consider all of these things in combination when shopping for a used car.
If youve decided that youre ready to purchase a car, you may be thinking about how to budget for this. Many people wonder how much money they can afford to spend on a used car. This is where Red River Credit Union can assist!
To help you understand your budget and determine how much you can afford, click below.
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How Mileage Can Affect My Car Value
When youre selling a car, the mileage can be a huge determining factor in how much you get for it. Most cars show major signs of wear and tear after surpassing the 100,000-mile marker. If a car has over 150,000 miles on it, its generally considered to be high-mileage and may have more problems than a car that has fewer miles.
If you have a junk car that has high mileage you can still get some money for it. There are many buyers that buy cars in any condition. You have to be sure to have your car in good condition when buyers come to inspect it. Clean your car inside and outside, and make sure to fix any issues with the car, are some ways to make your car looks good.
In Khan Jnk Cars Houston LLC we buy your junk car no matter the mileage! If you want to sell your car for cash, then Khan Jnk Cars Houston LLC ill eal with all the paperwork hile yo et cash in hand.
Why The Focus On Car Mileage
Youre probably wondering why most used car buyers give particular attention to car mileage.
After all, a car with a lower mileage doesnt necessarily mean its the best buy. If the said car was involved in a major collision but was beat back to life by mechanics, anyone will advise you to stay away from it.
On the other hand, its possible to find an accident-free car that has seen plenty of tarmac but still got thousands of miles to go.
Well, car mileage is the go-to way to determine how used a car is. Considering that a regular car engine is expected to last about 200,000 miles with proper maintenance, its easy to see why you wouldnt want to buy a used car thats closer to this mark.
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What Was The Car Used For
Even if a car’s mileage reads high, it won’t mean much unless you know how those numbers were achieved. Certain driving conditions are rougher on cars than others and I’m not just talking about rough terrain and bad weather.
Stop-and-go traffic isn’t just annoying, it’s also really bad for a car’s engine in the long run. This is because the car isn’t given enough time to cool leading to the buildup of carbon deposits which can destroy the engine. Stop-and-go traffic is also hard on brakes and eventually wears down the car’s braking system.
So even if the previous owner only used their car for a 20-minute commute to the city on weekdays, the traffic could have impacted the car’s engine and braking system in some pretty significant ways.
In this case, high mileage might actually be an indicator of less wear and tear! If a car was used extensively for long cross-country driving, the engine and braking system might actually be in better shape than a city car.
Is Buying A Car With Over 50000 Miles Bad
When youre trying to determine whether a particular pre-owned vehicle is worth buying, you have to consider the number of miles left in it. A modern vehicle may be able to travel up to 200,000 miles. Therefore, a car with more than 50,000 miles is likely to have up to 150,000 miles left. As such, it can probably serve you for more than 10 years if youre an average car owner who drives about 12,000 miles a year.
There are several factors that can affect the number of miles left on a vehicle, such as maintenance and driving environment. A poorly maintained car is likely to develop major issues sooner, so it wont be able to travel as many miles as one that has been receiving routine maintenance. If a vehicle has mainly been used in a sparsely populated area, it should have more life left in it. This is because it has led an easier and more relaxed life than a similar car that has gone through the daily grind of low-speed, stop-and-go traffic in the city.
Overall, if you find a used vehicle with about 50,000 miles that has been properly maintained and mainly driven in a less congested area, its definitely worth your consideration. It would be ideal if the car appears relatively new and shows little wear and tear.
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How Do I Know If A Vehicle Has Been Properly Cared For
The easiest way to tell if a vehicle has been well-cared for is to see maintenance records. However, that isnt always possible and that doesnt mean the vehicle isnt one worth buying. There are few things you can do to make sure you avoid getting stuck with a lemon. If you can have someone with some real automotive knowledge look over the vehicle before you buy it, that would be ideal. Although, if that isnt possible, you can perform your own inspection and still feel confident.
Inspection Time They say, Sunlight is the best disinfectant. The same is true for inspecting a used car. Going to look at it on a bright and sunny day will make it difficult to hide problems like paint defects or mismatched body panels.
Go For Test Drive If youve been driving for any length of time, you will have developed an instinct for what does and doesnt sound or feel right. Make sure to listen to the engine for knocking, scraping or grinding sounds. And, if you can get it on the highway, listen closely to the transmission work through the gears, any sign of hesitation or hard shifting should be a sign for you to walk away.
Pass the Smell Test There are a lot of flood-damaged cars out there being sold by unscrupulous people. It can be almost impossible to completely get rid of flood damage. Look under floor mats, and most importantly, sniff around for the tell-tale musty order. A car that smells like an old basement should not be one you buy.
Has The Car Ever Been Damaged Substantially
Whether the car has been in a collision, a fire, or a flood, a used car dealer is supposed to be transparent and reveal any major damages done to the vehicle. Depending on the severity of the incident, any significant damage can affect a car’s performance and safety and should lower the car’s resale value.
If you’ve noticed some suspicious signs of damage that don’t match up with the seller’s story, you can always download a CARFAX Canada report. This report gives you the Vehicle Identification Number and relays to you any existing liens and damages done to the car in the past.
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Which Used Cars Can Last 300000 Miles
There are certain vehicle makes and models that history shows have been more reliable and have consistently proven to last longer than other vehicles. Research shows that there are a good number of vehicles on the road that have reached the lofty range of 300,000 miles. Of course, lots of factors play into whether a vehicle will reach this milestone, including how well it was maintained and whether it was responsibly driven.
The Honda Civic has been consistently one of the best vehicle performers in longevity and has been a fixture on the Consumer Reports list of the longest-lasting vehicles.
The Subaru Forester is another vehicle that owners have rated highly for dependability on an ongoing basis. In general, all Subaru vehicles are highly rated as having a good chance at lasting over 200,000 miles.
If you are looking for a truck, the pre-2016 Toyota Tacoma is a safe bet to give extended mileage and reliability.
Looking at electric vehicles? The Ford Escape Hybrid has accumulated impressive mileage numbers as attested to by New York City taxi fleets. The first 18 put into service all accumulated more than 175,000 miles and have remained a significant percentage of the taxi fleet to this day, with many having more than 400,000 miles on the odometer.
Case Study: Why I Bought One
Rod Greens 709,292-mile Volvo S80 2.5D
Would you buy a car with 693,000 miles on the clock? Thats what Rod Green did or more accurately, its what his son did for him. However, while a mega-mileage saloon might seem like a risky gamble, Rod knew the cars history from day one, because hed put most of those miles on its clock.
Rod said: I started a new career as a corporate chauffeur in 2001, and I leased a pre-registered S80 2.5D with fewer than 20 miles on the clock. With an annual mileage of 80,000 to contend with, I needed something that would be reliable and not cost too much to run. However, 10,000-mile service intervals meant the Volvo would visit a garage every six weeks. I never skimped on servicing but I avoided main dealers by using independents I got a much more personal service and I paid a lot less.
With 350,000 miles on the clock, a piece of grit damaged a drive belt, wrecking the engine. Rods specialist sourced a factory-reconditioned engine and fitted it within a week. He added: A main dealer couldnt have matched this level of service, or cost.
So when buying a high-mileage car, dont be too focused on a main dealer service history. What matters is that its been maintained properly using high-quality parts. If thats by a recognised specialist, thats fine.
At the end of its four-year lease period, Rod bought the Volvo for £1,000, eventually selling it in 2009, by which point it had covered almost 600,000 miles.
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