What Is Good Mileage on a Used Car?

Used cars on a car lot
 
Mileage is a huge consideration when purchasing a used vehicle. But it’s not the only thing to think about when looking for a quality used car, truck, or SUV for your Willoughby drives. We’ll dive deeper into good mileage for a used car with our guide from Classic Buick GMC.

Rule of Thumb for Good Mileage for a Used Car

The general rule of thumb that shoppers used to follow was that 100,000 miles or less was considered good mileage for a used car. With modern manufacturing and higher-quality parts, that’s changed. Now, cars with mileage over 100,000 can be a great bargain when you think that cars built in the past 10 years can easily last past 200,000 miles on the odometer.

If the vehicle has been taken care of and is well-maintained it could still be a very good buy. Think about condition, location, and how the vehicle was used when thinking about a used vehicle for your Mentor drives.

The Smart Way to Shop for a Used Car Beyond Mileage

Understanding good mileage for a used car is more than just pure numbers on the odometer. Look at these factors to consider.

  • Usage – A car driven 75,000 miles in stop-and-go traffic will wear down sooner than one that has racked up 75,000 miles on the open highway. Look over the vehicle history report to see if the maintenance records are included.
  • Location – Vehicles that have been driven in a locale that has a dry, warm climate, undergo less stress than vehicles from areas that have a cold, wet climate.
  • Condition – Have a certified mechanic look at the condition of the vehicle. All of the ones on our lot here at Classic Buick GMC near Madison have been inspected by our team. There’s not a bad one on our lot.
  • Maintenance – Check the maintenance history of the vehicle to ensure that it has been kept up to date on routine services like oil changes. If there were delays in some maintenance or large gaps, you might reconsider.

Good Mileage for a Used Car: Choosing a Vehicle Just on Miles

How long do you plan to drive your used vehicle? If a used car has 50,000 miles and seems to be working pretty well, then it’s likely a good buy. However, a cheap used car with 100,000 miles can probably last you another four years so long as it’s in decent condition.

Rather than the cumulative mileage, look at the miles driven per year. The average is around 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year.

Mileage vs. Age

A newer car with high mileage may well be a better choice than a low-mileage older car. But it depends on what you want. Newer cars are constructed better. Older cars may not have the same standards, but if the mileage is low, you could still get a lot of good years out of them.

A car that hasn’t been driven regularly will often have higher repair costs. Mechanical issues, or problems with rubber seals and gaskets, can develop if a car isn’t driven on a regular basis. So, a lower mileage car might not be worth it.

A vehicle with a well-documented maintenance history is preferable to one that has been neglected. A CARFAX history report may show this.

Low-mileage vehicles often come with a higher price tag, but they could be in like-new condition. Think about a certified pre-owned vehicle for your Painesville drives.

Find Outstanding Used Cars for Sale at Classic Buick GMC

Ready for a quality used vehicle to put in your Painesville garage? Contact us or call (440) 210-7116 to schedule a test drive with our team. Make sure to look over our used vehicle specials to see how much money you could save on your purchase. We’re happy to help in any way we can!

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