Used car mileage: what's good and what to avoid | Phil Long Dealers (2024)

Used car mileage: what's good and what to avoid | Phil Long Dealers (1)

When looking for the best used cars to buy in Colorado Springs, you may be wondering what is considered "good mileage" for a used car. We will look at the current average mileage of all used cars and determine the best mileage to look for. Our job is to help you find the perfect used car at the best price, but not all high-mileage cars are worth the investment. Let's take a closer look at the used car mileage and what you can expect.

View the inventory of low mileage used cars

What is the average mileage of used cars on the road?

There is a general rule of thumb to adhere to when looking at the mileage of a potential used car purchase. Lower is better. The average number of kilometers a car travels per year is 12,000 miles. Given that number, the average 10-year-old car should have about 120,000 miles on the odometer. You can use these numbers to determine whether the car you want to buy is considered high mileage or low mileage given the age of the vehicle. Normally, the fewer kilometers a car has driven, the better. If you can find some used cars with fewer miles than the average of most used cars for sale today, you'll be in better shape. Of course, higher mileage isn't always a bad thing. If the car was used for highway commuting, it won't show as much wear and tear as a city mileage vehicle. Depending on the manufacturer and year of production, certain used cars are less subject to wear and tear and perform well at higher mileage. Regular maintenance and upkeep of the car during its lifespan also plays a crucial role.

What is the optimal mileage you should pay attention to for used cars?

Typically, you want to look for used cars with low mileage. There's no rule for how many miles a used car is too much, but trying to stick to the rule of thumb of 12,000 miles per year is a good start. Find out how old the car is, multiply the number of years by 12,000, and if the number on the odometer is significantly higher, some concern may be justified. You will then want to perform an in-depth inspection of the car to see how well the car has been maintained and if any major replacements or repairs have been made. This is a good onedirectivewhether you want to buy a car, truck, SUV or luxury model.

How do mileage rates affect used car prices?

Used car mileage: what's good and what to avoid | Phil Long Dealers (2)

Consider this. You are looking at two cars of the same make, model, year and condition. One car has 30,000 miles and the other car has 90,000 miles. If you manage to find used cars with low mileage, you might pay a little more to get behind the wheel. The first car will then cost more because there has been less use and therefore less wear and tear, which means the car has a higher value for the consumer. This doesn't necessarily mean that car No. 2 is a bad choice or a bad vehicle, as mileage alone isn't the only reason you should buy car No. 1 instead of car No. 2. Of course, you can save money by choosing something with higher than average mileage, but you may have to deal with more repairs later. If you stick to itaverage car kilometersper annual calculation you get a delicate balance between value and reliability.

For used cars: what mileage should I avoid?

Most modern cars are built to last at least 150,000 miles. That doesn't mean you want something with that many miles, but it will help you decide what mileage works for you. That said, diesel engines tend to last longer than gasoline engines, so you can feel a little safer purchasing a higher mileage vehicle if it is equipped with a diesel powertrain. Some brands also last longer than others. Toyota and Honda, for example, are known for their vehicles that regularly travel more than 200,000 miles.

Should I Consider Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles?

When you buy a certified used car, you get more guarantees. These vehicles are new used and have lower mileage as part of the deal. Certified pre-owned vehicles undergo strict inspections and have additional inspectionsGuarantees on used cars. To receive these guarantees, you pay a little more, but spend less on repairs and get maximum reliability while sitting in a car that still feels like new.

Phil Long CertiRide

Each automaker dictates its own rules for its certified pre-owned car program. Some of them use a 150-point inspection, while others require a 172-point inspection. There are also different mileage limits between the different programs. Phil Long Dealerships now offers our own certified pre-owned program, beyond what the manufacturer offersPhil Long CertiRide. With Phil Long CertiRide we are able to certify more used cars, regardless of manufacturer, and offer our customers a better product. We only certify used vehicles that are 5 years old or newer and have driven less than 50,000 used car kilometers. Our vehicles undergo a 125-point inspection and come with a 3-year warranty. You also get 7 days to try it out and exchange the model if you don't like it. When you look at our used car inventory, you'll browse with confidence knowing that these are some of the best used cars in the Colorado Springs area. Plus, we offer superior discounts and incentives so you don't have to spend more. If you have any questions about the CertiRide program, contact us today.

Used cars for sale in Colorado Springs

Browse our selection of used cars for sale in Colorado Springs by clicking the button below. We have one of the largest used car dealerships in Colorado and New Mexico. Buy today and save!See used car inventory

Used car mileage: what's good and what to avoid | Phil Long Dealers (2024)

FAQs

Used car mileage: what's good and what to avoid | Phil Long Dealers? ›

There's no rule to how many miles on a used car is too much, but by attempting to stick to the 12,000 miles per year rule is a great place to start. Find out how old the car is, multiple the number of years by 12,000, and if the number on the odometer is significantly higher than that, some concern might be warranted.

At what mileage should you not buy a used car? ›

Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.

What is the best mileage for a second hand car? ›

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.

What is the best age and mileage for a used car? ›

We suggest you consider a 4- to 6-year-old vehicle with less than 50,000 miles. But it's essential to consider how an owner drove the car, whether city, highway, or a mix of miles, and how well the driver cared for the car. It is also important to be wary of used cars with unusually low mileage.

What is the sweet spot for used cars mileage? ›

When you're buying a used car, I'd say the sweet spot is two-three years and 24,000 to 36,000 miles. At that point, lots of cars will have depreciated by about a third. Some more, some less. But with most new cars easily going 100,000 to 150,000 miles, you're buying the majority of the car's life, for a third off.

What's the best mileage to buy a used car? ›

There's no rule to how many miles on a used car is too much, but by attempting to stick to the 12,000 miles per year rule is a great place to start. Find out how old the car is, multiple the number of years by 12,000, and if the number on the odometer is significantly higher than that, some concern might be warranted.

At what mileage should you sell a used car? ›

It's a good idea to sell your car before it hits 60,000 miles if you don't want to spend a lot of money on repairs and replacement parts. During this mileage bracket, your car should be about five years old, meaning it'll still command a substantial amount.

What mileage do cars start having problems? ›

How Many Miles On A Car Is Too Many? How many miles on a car is bad? As a general rule, most vehicles begin to seriously degrade at around 150,000 miles. It is considered rare, and therefore outstanding longevity, if a car reaches 200,000 miles on the road.

What is the best year of used car to buy? ›

A used car aged between 2 to 5 years is often deemed the “sweet spot”, yet it is fundamental to perform thorough research and consider all relevant factors before making a decision.

At what mileage do cars depreciate the most? ›

30,000 to 40,000 miles:

By the end of the third year of ownership, cars may have lost up to 50% of their value.

How do you know if a used car has good mileage? ›

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.

How many miles is good for used? ›

Typically, a vehicle with 75,000 – 100,000 miles on the odometer is a good deal, but with recent advances in vehicle technology, cars with over 100,000 miles can help drivers save and last for many years to come on Toms River roads.

How can you tell if a car has fake mileage? ›

Ask to see the title and compare the mileage on it with the vehicle's odometer. Be sure to examine the title closely if the mileage notation seems obscured or is not easy to read. Compare the mileage on the odometer with the mileage indicated on the vehicle's maintenance or inspection records.

At what mileage do cars become unreliable? ›

If you follow the manufacturer's service intervals, a modern car from a brand known for reliability should be capable of 200,000 miles or more. “Much depends on the specific make and model of the vehicle,” says Joe Veselak, an automotive tester at Consumer Reports.

Is 200000 miles bad for a used car? ›

As a general rule, most vehicles begin to seriously degrade at around 150,000 miles. It is considered rare, and therefore outstanding longevity, if a car reaches 200,000 miles on the road. That said, there's more to identifying good versus bad mileage on a used car than just the odometer reading.

Is it bad to buy a used car with unusually low mileage? ›

A car with ultra-low miles may be more likely to develop oil leaks if the rubber seals and gaskets break apart. 3. Fluid problems. Oil and gasoline can attract moisture when they sit for prolonged periods of time, which could damage the engine.

Is 50,000 miles a lot for a used car? ›

Finding a four-year-old car with 50,000 miles on it can be a great deal, as it means that the driver used it a little less than average, and it could have more life left in it. However, you should be a bit wary of vehicles that are a decade old with only 50,000 miles to show for it.

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