What is a Good Mileage on a Used Car?

Young girl buying a car


Good mileage for a used car depends on multiple factors, including age and maintenance history. Generally a used car with 50,000 miles is going to be a terrific purchase at our Montgomery Ford dealer that will last you many years to come. However, that doesn’t mean a car that’s only a few years old with 90,000 miles should be scratched off your list. In this guide, we’ll take a look at all the factors you should consider when debating the right used car mileage.

Buying by Mileage

There is no perfect way to answer, “what is good mileage on a used car?” What Yorkville drivers should consider is how much mileage they’re going to get out of their purchase. Most people tend to drive 12,000 miles a year on average. Buying a car with 50,000 miles on it will still be much cheaper than buying new, while giving you many years together.

On the other hand, a cheap used car with 100,000 miles can probably last you another four years so long as it’s in decent condition. That’s going to be just perfect for some people. If you use your car more frequently for work or recreation, then you’ll want to stick with a lower mileage vehicle.

Couple signing papers on new car

Mileage vs. Age

An old car with low mileage may seem like the perfect find, but buying a newer vehicle with higher mileage is often the better choice:

  • When people don’t drive often, mechanical issues, or problems with rubber seals and gaskets, can occur. Your repair costs may end up being steeper early on after purchase.
  • A vehicle with a well-documented maintenance history is preferable to one that has been neglected.
  • Low mileage vehicles often come with a higher price tag, even if they’re older without all the bells and whistles.

A Certified Pre-Owned Ford is worth considering if your goal is to purchase a like-new, low-mileage vehicle.

The Smart Way to Shop for a Used Car

Instead of just focusing on mileage, take into account all these factors:

  • Usage – A car driven 75,000 miles in rush hour traffic will rack up repair bills sooner than one that has cranked up 75,000 miles on the open highway. Make sure that you learn the previous owner’s driving history or read a vehicle history report before you buy.
  • Location – Vehicles that originated from a dry, warm climate, undergo less stress than vehicles from areas that have a cold, wet climate.
  • Condition – Get a certified mechanic to inspect the vehicle to determine if there are any issues, such as mechanical problems or rust, that will need to be dealt with.
  • Maintenance – When you look at a vehicle history report, make sure the car was serviced regularly. If there’s no rhyme or reason, there will likely be some unexpected repairs coming in the future.

Find Used Cars Near Yorkville Today

Let River View Ford help find the right used car for your needs. Shop from pre-owned Ford vehicles to vehicles priced under $10k today at our Naperville area dealership.

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2200 Route 30, Oswego, IL, 60543
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