Deciding to buy a used vehicle rather than a new car can save you money down the road. However, not all used cars are the bargain that you may be expecting to receive. One of the key factors that determine which car you buy is the number of miles that a used car has accumulated over time. In some instances, mileage can tell you more about how much longer your car will last or what condition it may be in when you purchase it. Still, the miles on a car don’t always provide an accurate picture. To guide you through the used-car buying process, let’s break down exactly what mileage means for an automobile and how you can use this information to make better purchasing decisions.
The average statistics on car mileage
The average American is said to drive their car approximately 12,000 to 14,000 miles per year. When consider that the average automobile will last for about 200,000 miles, you can begin to calculate whether or not the car you’re looking at will be a good deal for you. Imagine that you’re looking at a car that has already logged 80,000 miles on its odometer. If you’re only driving 12,000 miles a year, you can expect your car to survive for another 10 years, which is a relatively long time for a used car. You may be able to keep it running for longer than this, but these are the general statistics that you should use to determine the lifespan of your used car. If you aren’t going to be able to use the car for a long time, there are too many miles on it to justify the purchase.
What is the car’s history?
While mileage can tell you how far a car was driven, it won’t tell you everything about its past. For example, a car with 50,000 miles on it and a low price may look like a steal, but the truth is that it could have never been to a mechanic in the time it was used. The previous owner may have mistreated the car and may have produced few records about the automobile. In these cases, you’re better off purchasing another used car that has 80,000 miles but has all of its maintenance records and is in good shape. Another important thing to look at when you’re searching the history is logged miles. Many sellers are reputable but some may roll back the odometer to make the car a more attractive buy. Pay careful attention to this to avoid being scammed.
So how many miles is too many?
No average can determine what makes up too many miles on a car. The truth is that you will need to look at mileage with your needs in mind. If you commute to your job, you may want to look for a car that has a lower mileage so that you can get the most out of your time with the vehicle. If you drive infrequently or if you don’t have to travel far to get to work and other local areas, you can get away with a car that has higher mileage and will still be able to last you many years. Whatever makes the best sense for you is the option that you should pursue.
If you’re shopping around for a used car, it’s important to shop at a dealer who can provide you with the best vehicle for your money. Take a look at some of the best cars from used car dealerships in reading pa at carshopper.com to jumpstart your used-car search today.