What’s Good Mileage on a Used Car?

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, you’ve most likely considered purchasing a pre-owned vehicle. They’re less expensive and depreciate less rapidly than a brand-new car. Some of the major factors that indicate whether a vehicle is in good condition are its mileage and appearance. You may be wondering, though, what good mileage is for a used car.

What’s Good Mileage on a Used Car?

As a general rule, you should assume that the average car owner puts 12,000 miles on a car each year. To determine whether a car has reasonable mileage, you can simply multiply 12,000 by its age. That means good mileage for a car that’s 5 years old is 60,000. Significantly more or fewer miles could indicate a problem or trouble in the future.

That said, mileage can be misleading. You have to consider the number of owners as well. If a car is 10 years old and only has 90,000 miles on it, mileage alone indicates that it could be a good deal. However, if it has had four owners during that 10-year span, there’s a strong possibility that at least one of the owners didn’t properly maintain the vehicle. Likewise, if you find a 10-year-old car with only one previous owner that has just 30,000 miles on it and is in great condition based on appearances, it’s likely a great deal. These cars are typically kept in a garage and meticulously maintained.

How Many Miles on a Used Car Is Too Much?

Because mileage can be misleading, there is no definitive answer on how many miles on a car is too much. That said, based on the 12,000 miles per year rule, you can get a general idea of what type of mileage to expect on a used vehicle. If a car has accumulated far more than 12,000 miles per year, you may want to consider a different vehicle.

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 hasn’t been driven enough. However, you’ll first need to make sure that the odometer reading is accurate.

By reviewing the vehicle history report, you typically get a good idea of whether it is correct. For example, if you see on the vehicle history report that the car, at 5 years old, had just 5,000 miles, there is a strong likelihood that the odometer reading is accurate. The appearance of the vehicle can also be a good indicator of whether the odometer is correct, as a vehicle that hasn’t been driven a lot during a 10-year life should have few dents and very little wear and tear on the interior.

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, it’s 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 car’s 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 isn’t right with the vehicle, whether there are issues that need to be addressed right away and whether you should anticipate future problems.

Is It Wise to Buy a Car With High Mileage?

While many people avoid purchasing cars with high mileage because there is a perception that they are riskier and more prone to problems, cars today are designed to last far longer. When you buy a car that already has high mileage, the depreciation curve has already flattened, and it will not decrease in value rapidly (the way a new car does). Additionally, because cars are meant to be driven, vehicles that have high mileage tend to be well-lubricated and burn carbon buildup, both of which help the engine to last longer. In contrast, cars with low mileage often aren’t given fluid changes as frequently, which can create problems at a later time.

The average car in the U.S. is around 12 years old, which puts the average mileage at approximately 144,000. When you’re deciding whether to purchase a used vehicle, you should evaluate not just its current mileage, but how many more miles you will be able to put on it to reach that 144,000 average. For example, if a car has 100,000 miles, you can drive it approximately four more years before you will reach the average mileage.

Though the 12,000 miles-per-year rule is beneficial for estimating whether a vehicle has an average number of miles based on its age, mileage alone should not be the only determinant when deciding whether to purchase a vehicle. You should also evaluate the car’s vehicle history report to find out how well it was maintained and see how many owners it has had. You should always have it evaluated by a used car technician, as well, who can help you identify any possible unforeseen problems with the vehicle.

If you’re in Rochester, Minnesota, we have a large selection of used vehicles to choose from. Our sales team is also happy to help you find a used car with features you’re looking for. Take a look at our inventory online or come by our location today and take one of our great used cars for a test drive.