What Is a Good Mileage for a Used Car? Information You MUST Know Before Making a Deal.

Written by Victor

August 29, 2022

Used cars are a great way to save money on your transportation costs. But how can you tell if a used car is a good deal? One crucial factor to consider is the car’s mileage.

What is a good mileage for a used car? In reality, it could be anywhere between 50,000 and 250,000 miles, and it depends on factors like car make and model, engine type, driving style, depreciation, and period of time you buy a car for.

Used vehicles dashboard with 148158 thousand miles on on the odometer

Things to Consider While Buying a Used Car With High Mileage

When you are looking to buy a used car, it is important to consider all of the associated costs. In addition to the purchase price, you need to factor in things like insurance, maintenance, and depreciation.

Vehicle Depreciation

 

Depreciation is the loss in value that a car experiences over time. It is the difference between what you paid for the car and what you could sell it for today. All cars depreciate, but some lose value more quickly than others. 

For example, luxury and sports cars tend to depreciate more rapidly than sedans and SUVs. When considering a car with high mileage, it is important to remember that all the depreciation has already happened.

The used car may not be worth as much as a new model, but it isn’t likely to lose much more value over time. As a result, a high-mileage car can be a great way to get a lot of bang for your buck.

Depreciation and Reselling Price

 

Depreciation is a natural process that occurs to all vehicles over time. The more car mileage on the odometer, the more depreciation has already hit the car. As a result, a vehicle with 200,000 miles will often cost less than a comparable car with 100,000 miles.

Of course, there are other factors to consider, such as the condition of the vehicle and its maintenance history. But in general, a higher mileage car will be less expensive than a lower mileage car.

This is good news for budget-minded shoppers who are looking for a used car with plenty of life left in it.

A Good Mileage is Different for Various Makes and Models

When shopping for a used car, it’s essential to remember that different makes and models will have different car mileage limits.

For example, a car like a Kia Rio isn’t likely to last as long as a Toyota Land Cruiser. That doesn’t mean that the Kia is a bad car – it just means that it wasn’t built to last as long as the Toyota.

So, when you’re looking at used cars, be sure to take the make and model into consideration. Otherwise, you might end up with a vehicle that doesn’t last as long as you’d hoped.

How Car’s Engine Size Affects Its Lifespan

In many cases, a car’s engine size is directly proportional to its lifetime. Cars with smaller engines tend to have shorter lifetimes than those with bigger engines.

The main reason for this is that smaller engines (up to 1.6 liters) have to work harder than larger ones. They have to rev higher and run at higher temperatures, which puts more stress on the engine components.

Over time, this extra stress can cause parts to wear out and break down. As a result, smaller-engined cars often don’t last as long as their larger-engined counterparts.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, and some small-engined cars are built to last. But in general, if you’re looking for a vehicle with a long lifetime, you’re better off choosing one with a bigger engine.

Importance of How and Where Car Was Driven

When purchasing a vehicle, people usually think that lower car mileage is obviously better. It’s not always the case. Important factor to consider is how those miles were racked up.

For example, stop-and-go city driving is much harder on a car than highway miles. That’s because all that starting and stopping puts extra strain on things like the transmission and brakes.

So even though a car with 200,000 miles sounds like it might be ready for the scrap heap, if those miles are mostly highway miles, it might still have quite a bit of life left in it.

Conversely, a car with far fewer miles could be ready for retirement if it spent its life in the city. So when you’re considering mileage, be sure to ask about how the car was driven and what kind of shape it’s in before making a decision.

When to Sell a High Mileage Car?

If you only plan on driving a car for a few years, it may be beneficial to purchase a car with high mileage that is still in relatively good condition. This way, you can avoid the steep depreciation that occurs when a new car is driven off the lot.

Instead, you can drive the car for a few years and then sell it for a comparable price to what you paid initially. Of course, this strategy is not without risks; cars with high mileage are more likely to experience mechanical problems.

However, if you are aware of these risks and willing to take them on, buying a high-mileage car can be an excellent way to save money.

The Downsides of Buying a Car With High Mileage

As anyone who has ever bought a used car knows, there are both advantages and disadvantages to doing so.

On the one hand, you can save a significant amount of money by purchasing a pre-owned vehicle. However, you may also end up with a car with high mileage that requires major repairs.

In fact, one of the biggest risks associated with buying a used car is that it may not last for very long. 

While a newer car may last for several years with proper maintenance, a vehicle with high mileage may only last for a few years before needing to be replaced.

Thus, if you are considering buying a used car, it is important to weigh both the advantages and disadvantages before making your decision.

Wear and Tear of Car Components

When you buy a used car, you’re not just buying the metal and plastic body – you’re also buying the car’s history. Every mile the car has driven is a wear and tear on the engine and other components, and those miles can add up quickly.

While many components are designed to last for thousands of miles, eventually, they will all need to be replaced. If you buy a car with 200000 miles on the odometer, that means that those engine components also have 200000 miles on it, and a lot of these components may be already at risk for the need of replacement.

Importance of Pre-Purchase Inspection

A car with high mileage is more likely to have problems than a car with low mileage, so it is essential to carefully evaluate the condition of the engine and other components before making a purchase.

If possible, request a vehicle history report or service and maintenance records for getting better understanding of car’s condition.

The upside of buying a car with high mileage for a very cheap price, like 1000-1500$, quickly disappears if a problem occurs that will cost you 1500$ to repair. For example, if the problem is with the engine, then it will be expensive to fix, and you will have to spend more money than you saved by buying the car.

For most people, a pre-purchase inspection is not an easy task, as it requires both knowledge and experience. The best way to ensure you get a good deal on a used car is to bring along an experienced car mechanic. He can properly inspect the vehicle and provide an accurate assessment of its condition.

Do Not Hesitate to Use a Professional Help

A mechanic can help identify potential problems and determine whether the car is worth the investment. While it may cost you anything between 75$-200$ dollars for an inspection (depending on your location and mechanic), it could save you thousands in repairs down the road.

So, before you take the gamble on a high-mileage car, be sure to get a professional opinion first. It could end up being the best decision you ever make. This will give you the peace of mind that you are making a wise investment and will also help you avoid any surprises down the road.

Conclusion

So, what is good mileage for a used car? It really depends on the factors we discussed in this blog post.

As you can see, there are many things to consider when purchasing a used car with high mileage. Be sure to weigh all the pros and cons before making your decision. And don’t forget: ALWAYS have the car inspected by a professional mechanic BEFORE signing any papers!

If you take this seriously, you can end up paying a very cheap price for a really good vehicle! How many miles do you have on your car? Let us know in the comments below!

Victor

Victor

Victor is a car technician with 10 years of experience in the auto repair industry. He's an enthusiast of blogging and he likes nothing more than spending his weekends working on his car. Victor is always up for a new challenge, and he loves learning new things.

BOOK YOUR WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT

Related Articles

Ford Edge Windshield Replacement Service

Ford Edge Windshield Replacement Service

When your reliable Ford Edge encounters windshield problems, it’s essential to seek professional help quickly to ensure safe and smooth driving experiences.

0 Comments
5/5 - (14 votes)
Looking for an Auto Glass Replacement?

Looking for an Auto Glass Replacement?

Please take a moment to complete the form below, and we'll promptly perform a parts check to deliver an accurate quote for your vehicle.

Thank you for submitting your request! Our support team has received your message and will get to work right away.