Which is better an older car with fewer miles or a newer car with more miles?

Which is better an older car with fewer miles or a newer car with more miles?

In general, buying a higher mileage newer is better than buying an older car with less miles. The reason for this is simple: parts in a car, especially the rubber components deteriorate over time, regardless of mileage. On top of that, when cars aren’t driven much then fluid changes are also few and far in between.

Is mileage a factor when buying a used car?

When buying a used car, mileage is an important factor, but age can be a big factor, too. In some cases, it may matter more. The norm for the “average” number of miles per year is 15,000 miles. So a car that is five years old with a mileage of 75,000 miles would be considered average.

What’s more important year or mileage?

Even when mileage is low, the older a car gets, the less reliable it becomes. Modern cars are much more reliable, even as they age. Five-year-old cars record what is considered a major problem every three years, while 10-year-old cars are more likely to face a problem every 18 to 20 months.

How much is too much mileage for a used car?

There’s no absolute number of miles that is too many for a used car. But consider 200,000 as an upper limit, a threshold where even modern cars begin to succumb to the years of wear and tear.

How much mileage is acceptable on a used car?

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 much mileage is bad for a used car?

Do miles on a car matter?

A car’s life isn’t determined by miles driven. Mileage is just one indicator of a vehicle condition. Theoretically, a vehicle that has covered more miles has more wear and tear, but a car with 60,000 miles on the odometer can easily be in worse shape than one with 120,000 miles. Cars and trucks like to be driven.

What factors should you consider when buying a used car?

You can weigh mileage and age for every vehicle, but the most important factor when buying a used car is service and maintenance records and getting it inspected by a certified mechanic before purchasing it.

How important is mileage on a car?

Let’s break it down. Mileage should always weigh heavy on your mind. It tells a big story about how much the vehicle has been “used.” A vehicle that has been driven over 100,000 miles has different wear and tear than one driven 50,000 miles.

What makes a used car more expensive to buy?

When buying a used car, it comes down to two things — the miles on the vehicle and its age. Newer used vehicles typically cost more than older ones, as they usually have less wear and tear. And used cars with lower mileage usually cost more than those with higher mileage.

Are used cars with low mileage more reliable?

Used cars that are newer with low mileage (at or below the 12,000 miles per year gauge mentioned above) might be well-positioned to provide long-lasting, reliable service. When you review a vehicle’s service history and get a clear picture of how the car got used in its past, it will help you understand how the car will perform as it ages.