When Buying a Used Vehicle is Age or Mileage More Important?

When buying a used car, it comes down to two main things-the mileage and age. Used cars that are newer typically retain value as they usually have less maintenance needed. Whereas, used vehicles with lower mileage tend to cost more than a vehicle with high mileage. Which leads us to the question of when buying a used vehicle is age or mileage more important?

What are good miles for a used car?

In some situations, a newer vehicle can have more miles than an older vehicle. Additionally, some models of vehicles handle more mileage better than others. According to the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration from 2019 data, the average vehicle owner puts about 14,300 miles annually on their vehicle. So for a vehicle that was driven for 5 years, you can expect around 71,500 miles. Although it’s essential to consider where it was driven and how well the driver maintained it. For example, a vehicle driven mostly in a city-suburban area will be involved in a lot of stop-and-go traffic. Which although may appear harmless puts a lot of wear and tear on the brakes and transmission compared to highway driving.

Does age matter?

According to S&P Global Mobility Reports, the average age of a car on U.S. roads hit 12.2 years of age in 2021! This means we are up to 14.2 in 2023! With these older vehicles on the road is age that much of a factor? It more so comes down to the maintenance of that vehicle. When you review a vehicle’s service history and get a clear picture of what maintenance was had, it will help you understand how well it will perform going forward. How well a vehicle has been taken care of is essential to its longevity. With that being said, here are some essential maintenance items you should look for:

• How regularly the oil was changed.
• How often the air filter was replaced
• If fluid levels have been up kept
• The condition of belts and hoses and when they were last replaced.

When buying a used vehicle is age or mileage more important?

In conclusion, while it’s a good idea to consider both the age of a vehicle and the mileage on the odometer, how it was maintained is the key. A 10 year old car with 100,000 miles may have received more maintenance and upkeep then a 5 year-old car with 50,000 miles. Therefore, before buying a used vehicle we recommend having it checked thoroughly by your local automobile repair shop. That will ensure its in good reliable condition. Better yet, checkout Kalispell Ford’s certified pre-owned vehicles. We typically put them through a rigorous inspection process, ensuring reliability.