What is Good Mileage For A Used Car?

Checking the mileage on a used vehicle isn’t a substitute for a careful, comprehensive inspection that considers multiple factors—but it is a step that no Rumson-area used car shopper can afford to skip! So, what is good mileage for a used car? Although the most cautious drivers will seek out certified pre-owned vehicles with fewer than 60,000 miles, even a model with 100,000 miles or more could be a worthy investment today. It all depends on what you need, how quickly you can pay off your loan, and on a combination of other factors.

How Much Mileage is Good For a Used Car?

So, how much mileage is good for a used car? This is an inherently subjective question, but you can take a cue from manufacturers like Land Rover. In order to qualify for Land Rover CPO protections, a vehicle must have fewer than 60,000 miles. If you’re looking to make a safe bet, choosing a model in this range is a great place to start.

Not everyone can afford to bring home a used vehicle with ultra-low mileage—but the number on the odometer matters less than it used to, with today’s used vehicles lasting longer than ever. Ideally, you can pay off your loan quickly and enjoy several years of life without a car payment. However, as long as you can pay off your loan before the vehicle starts to rack up more expensive repair costs, it could be a good investment.

The average driver acquires somewhere between 12,000 and 15,000 miles per year, and used cars often start to become more expensive to maintain at some point between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. The worst case scenario is one in which your vehicle crosses this threshold—or expires completely—while you’re still making payments.

Here’s an example: Choosing a model with 100,000 miles could be fine if you can pay off your loan in three years. On the other hand, it’s best to consider other options if you’d need five years or more to pay off the loan.

The Smart Way to Shop for a Used Car

Make sure to consider every angle when you’re shopping for a pre-owned vehicle. Now that you’ve seen what counts as good mileage for a used car, you should get familiar with the other factors that determine a vehicle’s long-term reliability:

• Usage: Vehicles that have been used for racing or heavy towing may have more wear and tear than their odometer indicates.
• Location: It’s best to choose a vehicle that has mostly been driven in warm, temperate climates. Too much heat or extreme cold can take a toll on any vehicle.
• Accident History: Even if a vehicle looks fine on the outside, it could have structural damage if it’s been in a major accident. This structural damage will tend to accelerate wear and tear.
• Maintenance History: No single factor is more important than maintenance history. A model that’s been well-maintained can last for years and years, exceeding all “normal” expectations around mileage and longevity.

Finding a vehicle that has good mileage for a used car can feel like a major win—but it’s never a bad idea to let a mechanic take a look before you buy. If the seller objects to this preliminary inspection, it’s a good idea to continue your search elsewhere.

Shop Used Cars at Our Dealership Today!

Ready to bring home one of our exceptional pre-owned vehicles? Take a moment to apply for financing, and remember that we’d be happy to take an older, higher-mileage vehicle off your hands! It only takes a few minutes to value your trade-in at home in Red Bank and Colts Neck.