Used Car Mileage: What's Good & What to Avoid
When you are searching for the best used cars in Colorado Springs to buy, you might wonder what is considered to be "good mileage" on a used car. We will walk through the current average mileage on all used cars and what is considered the best mileage to look for. It's our job 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.
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What's the Average Mileage of Used Cars on the Road?
There's a general rule you'll want to stick to while looking at the mileage on a potential used car purchase. Lower is better. The average mileage a car accrues per year is 12,000 miles. Given that number, the average 10-year-old car should have roughly 120,000 miles on the odometer. You can use these numbers to determine if the car you're looking to buy is considered to have high mileage or low mileage for the age of the vehicle. Usually, the fewer miles that a car has been driven, the better. If you can find some used cars with fewer than the average miles on most used cars sold today, you will be in better shape. Of course, higher miles aren't always a bad thing. If the car was used to commute on the highway, it doesn't have as much wear as a vehicle with city miles. Depending on the manufacturer and production years, certain used cars take on less wear and operate just fine with higher mileage accumulation. Regular maintenance and upkeep of the car over its lifetime plays a vital role as well.
For Used Cars, What's the Optimal Mileage to Look For?
For the most part, you want to look for low mileage used cars. 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. You would then want to do an in-depth check on the car to see how well the car was maintained and if there were any major replacements or repairs. This is a good guideline to use, whether it is a car, truck, SUV, or luxury model you're looking to buy.
How Does Accrued Mileage Affect Used Car Prices?
Consider this. You're 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 find yourself paying a little more to get behind the wheel. Subsequently, the first car will cost more because there has been less operation, meaning less wear and tear, so that car is of a higher value to the consumer. That doesn't necessarily mean that car #2 is a bad choice, or a bad vehicle, as mileage alone is not the sole reason why you should buy car #1 over car #2. Of course, you have the option to save money by choosing something with higher than average mileage, but you might end up with more repairs down the road. If you stick to the average car mileage per year calculation, you get a delicate balance of value and reliability.
For Used Cars, What Mileage Should I Steer Away From?
Most of today's cars are built to last at least 150,000 miles. That doesn't mean that you want something with that many miles on it, but it helps you to determine what mileage will work for you. With that said, diesel engines typically last longer than gasoline engines, so you can feel a little more at ease after buying a higher mileage vehicle if it is equipped with a diesel powertrain. Some brands also tend to last longer than others. For example, Toyota and Honda are known for vehicles exceeding 200,000 miles regularly.
Should I Consider Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles?
When you buy a certified pre-owned car, you receive more assurances. These vehicles are newly used and feature fewer mileage as part of the deal. Certified pre-owned vehicles undergo strict inspections and have additional used car warranties. To receive these guarantees, you will pay slightly more, but you spend less on repairs, and you receive maximum reliability while getting in a car that still feels brand new.
Phil Long CertiRide
Every car manufacturer dictates its own rules for their certified used car program. Some of them use a 150-point inspection, while others require a 172-point inspection. There are also various mileage limits between the various programs. Phil Long Dealerships now offers our very own certified pre-owned program outside of what the manufacturer offers called Phil Long CertiRide. With Phil Long CertiRide, we are able to certify more used cars regardless of the manufacturer and give our customers a better product. We only certify used vehicles that are 5 years old or newer and have less than 50,000 used car mileage. 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 will browse with an additional peace of mind knowing that these are some of the best used cars in the Colorado Springs area. On top of that, we offer superior discounts and incentives, so you don't need to spend more. Contact us today with any questions about the CertiRide program.
Used Cars for Sale in Colorado Springs
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What Mileage Is Good For A Used Car? (2024 Update)
Mileage is one of the main metrics that buyers and sellers use when assessing the value and longevity of used cars. Higher mileage typically equates with lower pricing and may also indicate a lower vehicle lifespan, compared to similar models that have logged less miles.
But what counts as ‘good’ mileage? Optimal mileage depends on a variety of factors, including a car’s make, model, and maintenance history. A good rule of thumb is to look for mileage under 12,000 miles a year for petrol cars, or approximately 10,000 miles for diesel vehicles.
Well-maintained cars and vans can often surpass these benchmarks, so regardless of if you’re buying or selling a car, it’s important to know what counts as good mileage for your specific vehicle. That way, you can get more money for your investment whenever you choose to sell.
Importance of vehicle mileage
What counts as ‘good’ mileage depends on your vehicle’s make, model, and overall condition.
Car mileage is often seen as a stand-in for a vehicle’s overall condition. The more miles a car racks up, the more likely it is to have issues and need repairs – facts which can impact its resale value.
Mileage is documented during your vehicle’s annual MOT test, as well as in your V5C logbook. If this information is missing, reach out ASAP as this could indicate vehicle tampering or fraud.
When buying and selling used cars, mileage can a helpful gauge as it signals:
Component wear-and-tear – Every mile driven impacts the functionality of your car’s individual parts. Increased mileage can wear down parts ranging from your engine and transmission to your suspension and brakes, impacting their functionality and overall vehicle safety.
Maintenance frequency – Vehicles with higher mileage often have more frequent maintenance needs. Components like timing belts, spark plugs, and fluids deteriorate over time and require regular replacements, something to consider when investing in vehicles with increased miles on them.
Manufacturer recommendations – Many manufacturers provide recommended service intervals based on mileage. Adhering to these guidelines can help maintain the vehicle’s performance and longevity. It could be a red flag if a used vehicle has not followed these guidelines.
Warranty coverage – Some warranties have mileage limitations. Buying a car with lower mileage may provide additional warranty coverage, offering added peace of mind.
Driving conditions – What type of driving has your car experienced? City driving typically involves more stop-and-go traffic, which can wear out components faster compared to highway driving. Driving conditions are important to consider when thinking about mileage as they can go against the truism that more miles contribute to more maintenance.
Resale value – Lower mileage cars generally retain higher resale value as they’re perceived to have less wear and potentially fewer repair needs.
Understanding used car mileage
High mileage isn’t always a bad thing, especially when a car’s condition is otherwise good.
Calculating average annual miles
The typical car or van in the UK drives between 5,000 to 8,000 miles per year, according to the Department of Transport. This average has decreased since Covid-19 as the pandemic impacted mobility and transportation around the UK.
Keep in mind that this range is just that, an average. Factors such as a car’s age, what kind of driving it’s used for, and how well it’s maintained all also impact mileage.
For petrol cars, low mileage is generally considered to be under 10,000 miles per year. For diesel vehicles, it’s a bit less given their superior fuel economy on longer drives. High mileage can be viewed as anything exceeding these benchmarks.
To see if a vehicle’s mileage is above, below, or has average mileage for its age, simply multiply a (generous) yearly average of 10,000 miles by the car’s age in years. This resulting value is the total mileage you can expect for a functional vehicle that old. A quick breakdown:
Cars age in yearsAverage total mileage 220,000550,000880,000
Market perceptions
Cars with lower mileage may command higher resale prices due to perceived better condition and potential longevity. On the flip side, those with higher mileage may offer more affordability but could require more frequent maintenance.
However, mileage is just one factor in the overall story of a car! A well-maintained, high-mileage car can still offer reliability and performance, while a low-mileage car with poor maintenance may have hidden issues and end up costing you more money in the long run.
Financing implications
Mileage also plays a role in the vehicle financing process. Car-buying dealers and financing companies assume a yearly mileage of 8,000 to 10,000 and design contracts accordingly.
If your car or van is under a lease agreement or on finance, you may also be subject to an excess mileage charge if you go above the maximum predetermined mileage outlined in your contract. This charge is designed to compensate for the additional wear-and-tear and value depreciation caused by adding even more miles to your vehicle.
Mileage and age: three cases
Mileage and age do not always go hand in hand when it comes to resale value.
Older cars with low mileage
While not necessarily a negative, there are a few important elements to keep an eye out for with older cars that have lower miles:
