Does mileage matter when buying a used car?
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 happens to 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.
What type of mileage has the vehicle done?
A vehicle that has done the majority of its miles in a city will likely carry a lot more wear and tear in certain areas compared to one that's mainly been used for motorway driving.
If the car you're interested in has been used for lots of short trips, then its oil may not have been regularly given enough time to warm up before driving to these destinations, ultimately affecting the way it drives over time.
There will also likely be more wear and tear within its clutch, gearbox, suspension and brakes, especially as most engine and gearbox wear takes place when the engine is cold during stopping and starting.
On the other hand, a vehicle that has been frequently used for motorway driving will likely spend the majority of its life in fifth and sixth gear on smooth-surfaced roads. Cars that are used for these types of long-term journeys become more susceptible to clutch and brake damage but breakdown far less frequently.
Try and get an idea of the kind of mileage a car has done in the past as early on in the buying process as possible. This can be difficult when buying used cars from a dealership, as you may not know much about the previous owner, but an up-to-date service history is always a good start.
The average mileage for a used car, by age
On average, a car should have around 10,000 miles per year. So, for an easy way to calculate how many miles on a used car is too much, just multiply its age by 10,000.
For example, a five-year-old car would ideally have 50,000 miles or less on its odometer.
If a car’s mileage is far larger than the average, then you will have to take a deeper look at the car’s history.
However, calculating what is considered “high mileage” for a used car can be difficult as it differs so much on a case-by-case basis depending on the brand and model.
Do some cars last longer than others?
Broadly speaking, yes. Certain brands will last longer than others due to better design, engineering and manufacturing standards.
So, while a 10-year-old car with just over 100,000 miles may sound like a good deal, if that model starts shutting down at 125,000 miles, it’s likely only to last another 2-3 years.
While some outliers within brands do occur, it is better to err on the side of a good reputation when buying high-mileage cars.
How many miles is too many for a used car?
While mileage is an important factor to consider, the number of miles recorded is never an accurate impression of the vehicle you're looking at.
For example, you need to consider if the vehicle has been regularly maintained and has a clear service history.
As you can see, it's not all about miles on the clock.
Like we touched on before, remember to ask the owner or dealer of the vehicle about its mileage, highlighting whether they have primarily come from city or motorway driving based on any previous owner knowledge.
Get all the information you need when buying
While the importance of mileage may differ on a case-by-case basis, it’s important to get all the information you need before buying. Considering if it is wise to buy a car with high mileage depends on context, research and the prevalence of information.
As much as the information about a potential car is important, so is your ability to understand what you’re presented with. Keep up to date with our blog for the latest motoring tips.
How Many Miles Should a Used Car Have?
When you’re looking for a high-quality pre-owned car, truck, or SUV in Texas, there are few things to consider before you buy. One of the biggest things to consider on any pre-owned vehicle is the number of miles it has. The mileage can be a great indicator of the vehicle’s condition, but how do you know if a vehicle has good mileage or not? Lucky for you, Texas Auto Center has put together this handy guide to help you understand what mileage really means for a used car. We have a huge selection of low-mileage vehicles, and we’ll do everything we can to make sure you find the right one for you.
The Average
Generally speaking, the average driver puts about 12,000 miles on their car a year. That number has definitely gone down in the past year, but as more and more people start driving to work again that number will average back out to about 12,000. The simplest way to determine if a car has good mileage on it is to take its age and multiply that by 12,000. If that number is less than or equal to its mileage, there’s a good chance it wasn’t driven any more than usual. This is not a hard and fast rule though. There are a number of factors than can influence whether a car is a good deal or not.
The More You Know
Knowing a car’s background can paint a much better picture than just having the mileage. For example, two cars could have identical mileage, but if one was driven mostly in the city and the other almost exclusively on the highway, the highway driven car is probably a much better deal. City miles wear a car much faster than highway, so even though they would appear in the same condition based on the mileage, one is a much bigger bargain.
The previous owners can often play a big part as well. If one car has higher mileage but only one previous owner while the other has had four owners over the same period, the higher mileage vehicle may be the better choice. Vehicles with just one owner are much more likely to be well-maintained compared to vehicles with multiple owners. Likewise, cars that previously belonged to rental companies probably have higher than average mileage but were very well-maintained. You can often take advantage of these cars’ higher mileage to get a much better deal for a real bargain.
Some brands are also renowned for their reliability and can be a smarter buy with high mileage compared to others. Brands like Toyota, Honda, and GMC are well-known to last 200,000 to 300,000 miles easily, so they are often great choices even with high mileage.
If you’d like to browse a huge selection of reliable, low-mileage pre-owned vehicles, come see us at Texas Auto Center! We have two Buy Here Pay Here dealership locations serving Austin, San Marcos, Round Rock, Buda, Kyle, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Dripping Springs, Manor, and Cedar Park. Shop our huge inventory online, and even apply for our easy-approval financing!
We’ll see you at Texas Auto Center, A Better Place to Buy a Car!
How Many Kilometres Is Considered ‘Good’ For A Used Car?
Buying a used car has its pros and cons. One of the many reasons people purchase a second-hand car is that it’s more affordable than buying brand new. This is because the car has depreciated in value since leaving the dealership – and part of that depreciation value is gauged by the number of kilometres the car’s travelled since leaving the factory floor. When it comes to looking at how many kilometres are on the clock of a used car, many would say that high mileage isn’t a good sign. But just how many kilometres is a sign that it would be best to walk away?
Buying a used car is one way to save money, but you still need to be sure that you’re getting the most value out of your cash. Knowing whether or not you’re getting a good deal on a used car can be quite tricky to get right. You might not know what the average mileage for a used car is or what is even considered “good” mileage – but that’s where we come in. We’ve created a useful guide to help you understand how many kilometres you should expect on a used car before you sign to purchase. From what’s considered good and bad, we’re here to set the record straight.
What is Good Mileage for a Used Car?
The best rule of thumb to keep in mind with a used car’s mileage is to add 15 000km to every year of the car. For example, if a car is one year old, a mileage of between 10 000 and 15 000km is considered good. Most people tend to draw the line at 100 000km on the clock, when in fact, that’s not a bad mileage at all. In most cases, sometimes mileage has nothing to do with the performance of a car but rather the mechanical condition of it. The car is good to go if it runs smoothly, has had regular services, and doesn’t flash warning signs.
What Factors Determine Whether a Car’s Mileage is Okay?
If mileage is the only thing you consider when looking at buying a used car, you may need to rethink. A lot of the time, mileage is mistaken for two things: lower mileage = much better condition and high mileage = a higher resale value. Remember that a car’s value is not determined by mileage alone but also by other factors such as make, model, features and more.
These four factors determine if a car’s mileage is okay:
Good service and maintenance history.
Accident history.
The age of the car.
Any repairs that have been done to the car.
How Many Kilometres on a Used Car is Too Little?
In our opinion, there’s no such thing as “too little” kilometres on a used car. Kilometres on the clock are a good indication of just how much the car has been driven. A car that is not being driven around as much means less of a need for maintenance. It also doesn’t automatically mean that it’s in good condition – that’s where some people are mistaken. As we mentioned above, there should be roughly 10 000 – 15 000 km on the clock for every year on the car.
How Many Kilometres on a Used Car is Too Much?
The magical number that seems to set people off is anything over 100 000km on the clock. This is still a considerably good mileage but also doesn’t let you know the condition of the car. For example, if a 5-year-old car is sitting at a kilometre reading of 250 000 – that’s a red flag. Why? Because a 5-year-old car shouldn’t exceed anything over 75 000km; if it does, the car has been overused and could come with a few unwanted problems.
How Mileage Affects the Value of a Used Car
How much should one factor in mileage on the value of a used car? Well, the higher the mileage, the more affordable the car. This is because cars with higher mileage are often prone to wear and tear and can break down. With this being said, the engine power also gradually decreases as the years go on. All of these factors are contributors to the value of a used car. The car’s full-service history lets a new owner know just how well the car has been maintained.
What’s More Important, the Kilometres on the Dash or the Age of the Car?
While both the age of the car and kilometres on the dash are equally important, which is more so? The answer – neither of them is more important than the other. Some people would argue and say that the age of the car isn’t a factor to consider as long as it’s been serviced routinely. This isn’t always true. The age of the car can indicate engine health, general wear and tear, service history and much more.
How to Choose a Good Used Car
The best way to choose a good and reliable used car is to make a checklist of things to look out for. This checklist doesn’t have to be complicated but merely used as a guide to help you make the best decision. Make sure you consider important elements such as budget, car features, age, service history, crash test results and more.
