Used Cars & Mileage: What You Need to Know

Posted Tuesday, Aug 16, 2022

 

Purchasing a used car has its perks; it’s cheaper, the previous owner already paid the majority of its depreciation, and it usually has lower insurance rates.  However, the one fallback that it has is that not every used car is in great condition, meaning you have to be extra cautious with your choice.  Although there are many factors to consider when purchasing a used vehicle, mileage is pretty high on the list.

Why Is Mileage Important?

The mileage on a car can help you determine if the price of the vehicle is fair.  In general, a car with less mileage will be more expensive than a car with high mileage.  This is because there is typically less wear and tear on low mileage cars.  Since there are many car parts that need to be replaced after a certain mileage is reached, this is something to keep in mind.  For example, brake parts should be changed every 20,000 miles, while timing belt and water pumps are often changed every 70,000 miles.  What does this mean?  Although the initial price may be lower, it may need more maintenance.

 By keeping mileage in mind while looking for a car, you can guarantee that you’re getting a good price for your vehicle.  Now let’s take a look at how many miles is bad for a car.

How Many Miles Is Bad For a Used Car?

 

Although this number can vary depending on many factors, the average annual mileage is 12,000 miles.  To determine if a car has low or high mileage, you have to consider the age of the vehicle.  

Example: If a car is 7 years old, the average mileage that you would expect would be 84,000 miles.  Anything under 84,000 would be considered low, and anything over would be considered high.  Alternatively, if the car is only 2 years old, then the expected mileage would be 24,000.  Before seeing the mileage and assuming it’s high or low, do your math to determine what the average mileage should be.

There is no official mileage limit that determines whether you should purchase a car or not.  That said, you should consider how long you plan to have your car.  Although there are many factors that can change this, cars generally have a lifespan of 200,000 - 250,000 miles.  That said, if you’re interested in a car that has 150,000 miles, then you should consider that it may only last another 4 or 5 years.

There are different beliefs over whether high or low mileage is better, but what’s important is that all factors are considered.  When it comes to high mileage, this generally means that you don’t need to worry about a high depreciation curve, meaning it won’t decrease in value as quickly.  They are also usually lower in price, which is never a bad thing.  However, cars that have more mileage typically need more maintenance, so although you’re saving money in the initial price, you’re more likely to pay it back in car services later on.

 

What You Should Know About Low Mileage Cars

 

Low mileage cars are usually more desirable and valuable as they have less usage, meaning less wear and tear and higher resale value.  That said, if a car has a surprisingly low mileage, you may want to be cautious.

If the mileage seems unusually low, then it could be due to car clocking.  This is the illegal practice of rolling back the odometer to make it appear as if it has less mileage than it does.  One way to spot a clocked car is to check the car history, as it will show the recorded mileage and identify any issues that previously existed.  In addition, the condition of the car is also a good indicator, as low mileage is usually matched with a better maintained appearance.  For example, if the car has an extremely worn interior but only 20,000 miles, it may be a cause to check the history.

The mileage of a car is important because it helps guide you in understanding whether or not the price is reasonable and how long you should expect the car to last.  As mentioned, mileage is an important factor, but it’s not the only one.  You should also consider the condition of the car, safety features, age, driving comfort, price, and reliability.  To find everything you’re looking for in a used car, you should work with a reputable used car dealership that you can trust.  With Lux Auto Centre, you’ll receive a high-class buying experience; we’ll explain every detail of the used car, ranging from mileage to condition.