Determining Good Mileage When Buying A Used Car

Buying a used car is having pros and cons. The benefit you will be getting from owning a used one is that it be less expensive and depreciate less. Also, it will be cheaper to repair and maintain. On the other hand, some used cars are having a mysterious fault that can make you spend dollars more than the value of the car. 

Since you haven’t owned the car from the first day, it will be hard for you to judge the condition of the car. But the condition of the car depends on the mileage. Following the SCA service expert, if the car is having high mileage, it means that it might be having more issues than the good mileage used car. Sometimes, the milage is misleading. For this purpose, you have to consider the model year of the car and the previous owners. 

Determining Good Mileage on a Used Car

Determining Good Mileage On A Used Car

To determine the good mileage on a used car, consider the average mileage such as 12,000 miles on a car. If you are buying a 5-year-old car, it means that the mileage on the car should be 60,000 miles. This is a good mileage car. If the car is having less mileage than 60,000, then it makes a good deal. Otherwise, the car might be having problems that you experience in the future. 

If you are confused with the good mileage on a used car, then you can consider the previous number of owners. For example, if a 10-year-old car is having 90,000 miles on it, it means that it can be a good deal. If mileage is misleading you because it had four owners during the span, there is a possibility that at least one of the owners did not maintain the car properly

In such cases, there is a possibility that you might experience trouble and problems in the future. On the other hand, if a 10-year-old car is having only 30,000 miles on it with only 1 previous owner, then it is a great deal for you.

According to the rule of thumb, people drive an average of about 12,000 miles a year.

  • A 5-year-old car – 60,000 miles 
  • A 7-year-old car – 84,000 miles 
  • A 9-year-old car – 108,000 miles 

Is It Wise to Buy a Too Little Mileage Used Car?

Determining Good Mileage On A Used Car

To determine the low mileage on a used car, there is no hard and fast rule. The condition of the car will tell you that it has not been driven enough. Also, the owner has taken care of the car by maintaining it timely. If the condition of the car is not matching with the mileage, then you have to get it checked if the odometer reading is accurate.

Low mileage used car such as a 5-year-old car with 5,000 miles might be having an accurate odometer reading. It makes a great deal for you to make. Talking about a 10-year-old car with low mileage should be having a very little tear and wear on the interior and few dents on the car’s body.

If you are satisfied with a low mileage car and you want to make a deal, then you should get it inspected by a professional mechanic. For example, a 10-year-old car that has 5,000 miles on the odometer might have been sitting for a long time say 5 years. During this period, the car was not in use and certain parts would have dried out. As a result, these parts will be needing repair or replacement. 

Evaluation by Professional Mechanic

The professional mechanic evaluates certain parts of the used car with a checklist. As a result, the professional mechanic or technician will give an overview of the condition of the car. This evaluation will be about the engine, tires, brakes, control system, gearbox, body, finish, mirrors, glass, radiator, air conditioner compressor, etc. 

To evaluate the performance of the car, the test drive will tell you or your professional mechanic if there are issues with suspension, brakes, tires, or engine. If there are minor issues, then you should be ready to experience the trouble in the future or get it repaired or replaced in an instant. 

After evaluation, you will get to know about the repair or replacement of parts. As a result, you can bargain on the asking price to make a deal. 

Mileage Or Age of Used Car

Determining Good Mileage On A Used Car

Mileage and age are having a different impact on the asking price of the used car. You will come across some offers that do not make sense. A 10-year-old car will be of a higher price than a 7-year-old car. It happens due to the mileage. The more the mileage, the less the selling price. 

Also, there might be an offer of two 7-year-old cars with different selling prices. If one is having low mileage on the odometer, it will be expensive than high mileage used car. Low mileage cars will offer you a better ride quality with a maintained engine and other parts. Also, with a less wear and tear interior. Some people, keep the interior as a brand-new car’s interior. 

You have to consider the different kinds of miles on a used car. For example, if a car has been driven in an urban area, it will be having more wear and tear. On the other hand, the same mileage you get on the car driven on highways will be having less wear and tear. It depends on the previous owner.

If the owner has been taking the car for regular servicing, then the different kinds of miles do not count. Talking about the age of the car, a young 10-year-old car will run smoother than the old 10-year-old car. A daily used car will run smoother than the car that has been sitting in the garage for a long time. If the mechanic components of both cars are well maintained, then age does not matter.

Best Age of a Used Car

In different aspects, age does not matter when the condition of the car is determined from the mileage. Age is an important factor that you should be considering while buying a used car. A 10-year-old car will not be having the modern features or safety features of a brand-new car. 

If you want to consider the reliability and safety of the car, then you should keep few things in mind because they are related to the age of the car. 

Safety Features

Determining Good Mileage On A Used Car

The newer the car the modern safety features it will be having. For example, a 1998 model will not be having dual airbags or anti-lock brakes. In the early 2000s model, the cars were not having side widespread airbags. If you are not considering the safety features, then a 10-year-old car would be the best option for you depending on the mileage. 

Reliability

Determining Good Mileage On A Used Car

The reliability of the car fades with age. Even if it is having low mileage, the mechanical parts might not be as reliable as they were as a brand-new car. A 5-year-old car might have a major problem after every 3 years. On the other hand, a 10-year-old car might let you face a major problem after every 18 to 20 months. 

Hence, reliability fades over years. If the age of the car is not a factor to be considered, then you should stick to the low mileage factor. 

Buying a Used Car – Determine the Low Mileage

Determining the good mileage on a used car depends on the mechanical evaluation by a professional mechanic or technician. Also, you can get to know about the condition of the car by checking the miles on the odometer. If the condition and mileage are on the same page, it means that the previous owner has well maintained the car. 

If there is more than one previous owner, then there is a possibility if one of the owners used it roughly. You have to be careful while determining the miles on a used car.