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What Is More Important When Buying a Used Car: Miles or Age?

Author: Doug DemuroByDoug Demuro
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Miles vs. Age Quick Facts for Used Car Buying

  • A newer model used car can have more miles than a comparable vehicle that is significantly older.
  • Newer used cars with low mileage might be well-positioned to provide long-lasting, reliable service.
  • Some auto brands are more reliable over the long haul than others.

When buying a used car from a private seller or dealership, 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. Used cars with lower mileage usually cost more than those with higher mileage. It makes sense, right? But let’s explore what’s more important. Is it miles or age? We’ll explain how to navigate, especially in today’s market, where the used car supply remains thin.

Car Miles: What You Need to Know

In some cases, a newer car can have more miles than a comparable vehicle that is significantly older. Additionally, some miles weigh harder on an automobile than others. For example, if a vehicle drives a lot of city driving (stop and go), the car likely experiences more wear and tear on components such as brakes and transmission than vehicles mainly driven on the highway.

Read on to find out what else is essential to consider.

What Are Good Miles for a Used Car?

What determines a “high-mileage” car? There’s no hard and fast rule. However, according to the most recent data from the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, the average car owner puts about 14,489 miles annually on their vehicle.

So, for a four-year-old car, you might reasonably expect it to have around 58,000 miles. We suggest you consider a 4- to 6-year-old vehicle with less than 50,000 miles. But it’s essential to consider how an owner drove the car, whether in a city, on a highway, or a mix of miles, and how well the driver cared for the automobile. Being wary of used cars with unusually low mileage is also important.

Are Some Cars Better Than Others With a Lot of Miles?

Some auto brands (such as Honda and Toyota) earned a reputation for being more reliable over the long haul than others. While not always scoring near the top of reliability ratings, Jeep garnered a loyal following among motorists who keep them for extended periods. Pickup trucks, too, hold value in part because of their workhorse durability and construction.

However, that doesn’t mean every model from the higher-rated brands will always outperform those from competitors.

Again, a vehicle with less taxing highway mileage will likely have more life left in it than one with heavy city miles that age a car more quickly.

How Many Miles Should a Used Car Have?

An ideal odometer reading doesn’t exist. A pampered vehicle with 100,000 miles might have a longer future than a car with skipped oil changes but only 50,000 miles. It’s best to get a car checked out by a certified mechanic. Ask for service records on any used vehicle to find out if its current owner takes it for regular service.

Pros of Buying a High-Mileage Car

  1. Save money.
  2. Depreciation happens more slowly.
  3. Lower cost of car insurance.
  4. Odds are good for getting a solid vehicle since cars last longer.

Cons of Buying a High-Mileage Car

  1. Higher cost to maintain.
  2. Potentially, there is no manufacturer warranty or extended warranty options.
  3. Could miss out on newer technology and car features.
  4. If financing, you’ll find higher interest rates for used vehicles in general.

How Many Miles Is Too Many on a Used Car?

Many factors contribute to a used car’s quality and remaining useful life. Owners who follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule and avoid harsh driving might keep their vehicles on the road for hundreds of thousands of miles.

However, a used car can have too many miles to be eligible for financing. Lenders typically have mileage restrictions for their auto loans. A major bank might exclude vehicles with 125,000 miles or more. Smaller banks and credit unions are usually more restrictive, limiting loans to cars with fewer than 100,000 miles. By the way, lenders also have vehicle age restrictions for their loans.

Age of a Car: What You Need to Know 

When buying a used car, the age of the vehicle under consideration merits serious consideration, too. Newer used cars with low mileage (at or below the average 14,489 miles per year mark mentioned above) might be well-positioned to provide long-lasting, reliable service.

According to a study from S&P Global Mobility, the average age of a car on U.S. roads is now 12.6 years old. That’s a new high and two months older than the average in 2023.

Reviewing a vehicle’s service history and getting a clear picture of how the car got used in its past will help you understand how well the vehicle will perform as it ages.

A vehicle used for short- to medium-length commutes in stop-and-go traffic is bound to have taken on more wear than one that accumulated most of its miles on long highway trips. A vehicle with detailed service records showing that the used car seller routinely maintained it offers an advantage over those that don’t deliver such care.

Safety Features to Consider 

When buying a car, you will need to consider the number of its safety features. Advanced technology and driver assistance offerings on cars and trucks have improved in recent years. Older models may not offer as many. Keep that in mind.

Here’s a sampling of top safety features and advanced technology offerings:

  • Adaptive headlights: Headlights that adapt can come in two forms. One form rotates the headlights to light the area in the direction the steering wheel gets turned. The other form uses cornering lights mounted to the side of the headlights. They snap on to illuminate the appropriate direction when turning the steering wheel left or right. These headlights offer excellent safety features, especially when driving in bad weather, including rain, fog, ice, and snow.
  • Anti-lock brakes and stability control: These work together to detect when a car slides sideways and apply brakes to the wheel or wheels to help bring the slide under control.
  • Automatic high beams: Sensor cameras detect the light sources ahead of the vehicle and, depending on the situation, will automatically switch on and off the high beams.
  • Backup cameras and rear cross-traffic alert: The backup camera helps drivers view a driveway or parking spot when backing out. When backing up, the rear cross-traffic alert warns of approaching traffic from either side.
  • Blind-spot monitoring: Sensors detect blind spots and alert you to vehicles around you that you might not see in your mirrors. Some systems also have a cross-traffic alert feature, mentioned above.
  • Forward collision warning and emergency braking: The car detects hazards, such as stopped vehicles on the road, using cameras, sensors, and lasers. The autonomous braking system can stop the vehicle if the driver doesn’t act.
  • LED headlights and taillights: LED lights offer brighter illumination than the standard halogen ones.
  • Rain-sensing wipers: The windshield wipers automatically engage when the system detects moisture on the windshield.

Maintenance Considerations 

When shopping for a used car, how well a vehicle has been cared for is essential to its longevity. Just as humans tend to live longer when they eat right, exercise, and get good medical care, cars usually last longer when they get proper routine maintenance.

Ask to see the service records on any used vehicle you think you want to buy. Essential maintenance on a vehicle includes:

  • Changing the oil regularly
  • Replacing the air filter according to the vehicle’s manual
  • Checking fluid levels
  • Examining belts and hoses

Does Mileage Really Matter When Buying a Used Car? 

While it’s a good idea to consider the age of a vehicle and the number on its odometer, it’s more important to look at how well the owner maintained the car. A 10-year-old car with 100,000 miles may have received more TLC than a 5-year-old model with 50,000 miles. Another consideration is how the previous owner used the vehicle (less demanding highway mileage vs. stop-and-go city driving) and the vehicle type (how a model stacks up in reliability rankings). Certified pre-owned cars may be another option, as dealers typically put them through rigorous inspections before selling.

So, before buying, have your local automobile repair shop inspect the car as thoroughly as possible to ensure it’s in good condition.

Check the car’s fair market value regardless of miles or age when buying a car to know if it’s a good deal.

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since its initial publication. 

Author: Doug Demuro

Doug Demuro

Doug DeMuro writes articles and makes videos, mainly about cars. Doug was born in Denver, Colorado, and received an economics degree from Emory University in Atlanta. After graduation, Doug spent three years working for Porsche Cars North America. Eventually, he quit his job to become a writer, largely because it meant that he no longer had to wear pants. Doug’s work has been featured in a… Read more about Doug Demuro

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70 COMMENTS

  1. how do you evaluate older hybrid models? I’ve seen some with very low mileage but that’s when hybrids were newer on the scene. I’ve seen more recent ones with average and above average mileage.

  2. What about cars with low milage at a dealership with Certified vehicles and/or sites such as Drivetime and Carmax?

    • Thanks for reading, Bob. Potential buyers have the same considerations whether shopping for a used car from private sellers, franchised dealerships, or chains like those you mention. For some buyers, the best choice is a newer model with higher miles but desirable tech and safety features. Those bells and whistles aren’t as important to other shoppers who set their sights on vehicles with low mileage and look forward to keeping it on the road for many more years.

  3. Hugh Complaint!!!

    Why do you still hold onto the lie foreign cars are more reliable…please review any recent JD Powers studies to see that American cars have rebuilt their reputation for reliability and durability and in many ways have exceeded cars from Toyota, VW, Kia, Hyundai, etc. They also give you so many more choices even in one model line to choose. Features, Colors and Options……

    We are the only industrialized country that the majority of top ten cars sold in America are from foreign car companies. Yes, I know, when I was an uninformed car buyer and bought mainly foreign cars until 2010, I read an article from JADA (Japan’s Version of NADA) in 2010, did I see the truth. Japan, Korea, Germany always bought their cars blindly from their own countries manufacturer’s. Why, because their tariffs were so high on America’s cars. UNFAIR!

    How much American blood has been shed over the years on foreign soil to help free their country from tyrants and dictators!

    Wake up America! Still today, we pay more to help protect the world…24/7

    Yes…Be American…Buy American!!!

    Thank you…;<}

    • Thanks for reading, William. You raise a good point about the rising reliability scores of “American” automobiles, particularly some Buick and Chevrolet models. Here are two related facts to consider:
      1) American workers assemble many of the “foreign cars” you speak of at plants in the United States. Honda, Toyota, Nissan, BWM, Mercedes-Benz, Kia, and more have production facilities in the U.S. On the flip-side, plenty of American cars roll off assembly lines in Canada and Mexico.
      2) The average age of automobiles on the road today is 12.6 years. While it’s promising to see better reliability among traditionally American vehicles, used car buyers must look at the dependability ratings over time and not just the scores for the most recent years.

  4. Often private sellers won’t let you bring a car to a mechanic. Nor will a mechanic travel with you to check out a car. How would you suggest a buyer go thru some basic checks? what to look for?

    • Thanks for reading, Sam. Services like Alliance Inspection Management’s AiM Certify, owned by Autotrader parent Cox Automotive, will come to your location and inspect a vehicle. Costs range from $129 to $349. However, if you can’t have a professional inspection before buying a used car, there are a handful of things you must do that can help you feel more confident about the purchase and avoid taking over someone else’s problem.
      – First, run the car’s VIN through vehiclehistory.gov to learn about the title and insurance loss, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau to determine if it was ever reported stolen or declared a total loss from damage.
      – Pay for a full vehicle history report to learn about its repair and maintenance history.
      – Inspect interior and exterior for signs of damage, and look at tires for unusual wear.
      – Look for evidence of leaking fluids underneath the vehicle and inside the engine bay.
      – Test drive the car and be aware of vibrations, sounds, and smells that can signal existing or potential problems.

    • Hi Gary, Thanks for reading. The author discusses the benefits and disadvantages of used cars with higher miles and older age, and not straddling a fence. Everyone has different transportation needs and must weigh their options. A buyer wanting newer technology might choose a younger car with higher miles. Another person wanting to keep the used car for a longer period might lean toward an older car with fewer miles. Oh, and are those miles highway or city miles? Car shoppers have many factors to consider when looking for a vehicle that suits their unique situation.

  6. This article sure didn’t clear up the difference between “age” and “high mileage.” I think the point to conider is these are not parallel lines (i.e. a real con of “high mileage” isn’t “older technology”.)

  7. How do you find out how the car was driven by a previous owner( city miles or highway miles), if you are purchasing a car from a company like Carvanna?

  8. It’s a no brainer. An older vehicle with lower miles mean more start ups more warm ups for shorter trips with more stops. A newer vehicle with higher miles generally means fewer engine starts, fewer warm ups, more highway time and less braking equals less wear.

  9. Not a very good article. As a woman buying a car and trying to educate myself, this didn’t help at all. I am also finding out other states have lesser expensive cars than my state and in the past I shipped a car years ago and still have it. So how can I get a mechanic to look at it, if it is out of state. This person should delete this lame article. No answers to the questions.

  11. How do detailed service records reveal whether a car’s owner drove city, highway, or a mix of miles? I don’t see any way to determine how “demanding” a car’s miles were.

  13. I’m looking at two BMW cars today .. one is just 21 months old with 4000 miles . And the other is 6 years old with 32000 miles .. in your opinions which would be the Best Buy.. both are in good condition 

  14. Need help. I am thing about buying a 2 owner well maintained 10 year old Honda accord with 73,000 miles on it from a good rated Toyota dealership. what do you guys think. it has some paint issues and very tiny rust spots. the dealership said they would fix all these things and said when they looked it over it had no other issues. what are your thoughts should I buy it or not. 

  15. I need help I am thinking about buying a 2010 Honda Accord with 73 thousand mile on it. it has been well maintained. The Accord has service records. there have been two owners. should I buy it.

  16. I need help I am thinking about buying a 2010 Honda Accord with 73 thousand mile on it. it has been well maintained. The Accord has service records. there have been two owners. should I buy it.

  17. 2017 Honda Civic with 30,00  miles for $14,800 certified pre-owned.  Is this a decent price even with 30K?  Thanks.

  18. 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe LX with 60k.  Looking to buy it for my daughter for 4500 from a private owner.  Looks mint inside and out.  Runs tight. Garage kept.  No rust.  Opinion please? 

  22. Fyi steering wheel only vibrates when sitting idle. For the toyota.  Alloyed wheels have scratches on rims.  Like they scraped a curb.

  23. Thinking about buying toyota 2003 only 23 000 miles asking price 10 995.  Tires are dry rotted.  Cars home was virginia flordia.

    Steering wheel has a steady but suttle vibration.speaker vibrates cannot use that speaker.
    Convertible top and carpet look like new. Rest of car is in excellant condition.  
    Car is sold as is.  Dealer will replace tires and give me $500 off.  V6 engine only giving you 17 miles city.
    Any suggestions about this purchase.

    • I would pass.

      If the tires are dry rotted, then most likely the seals have dried out, too. Especially with the low miles – not driven enough to keep the oil & fluids circulated. 

  24. I have a dilemma.  I have an option between a 2015 Chevy impala LT w/19k miles a 2018 Chevy Impala LT w/42k miles.  The 2015 is single owner lease vehicle the other is a single owner fleet (rental) vehicle.  Both maintained very well. Any reason to take the upgraded tech and higher mileage 2018 over the 1st gen tech and lower mileage on the 2015? Only difference I see on the 2018 are some additional safety features.

  25. im looking at getting a new car thats a 2016 model, so only 2 years old and it has done 44,096 km. Is that good or too much?

  27. 2013 Honda civic 6k 113 miles, thoughts ( will take to my mechanic if we are serious) interior excellent condition outside decent. advice?

  29. I’m in the market to buy and will be making a decision in the next few days. I am looking at a 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT or a 2016 Ford Focus SE both about 25k miles. What are your thoughts on the different makes?

  31. I am considering a 2003 BMW with 8,500 miles.  Not sure if the age should be a concern.  The car was garaged and physically, inside and out, looks like new.  I’d love advice.  Thank you.

  32. 2004 Subaru Outback 125,000mi?  New water pump, timing belt, head gaskets, tires and front/rear brakes.  No rust.  14 years old with low miles but has had a lot of the typical Subaru issues addressed.  Any thoughts?

  35. I have been talking with a gentleman from Pennsylvania about an old 1989 GMC 1500 with only 76k miles on it for a good price. I live in South Alabama. I am usually risk adverse but the long 1100miles+ ride to get it back home gives me room for pause. I just sold a 2000 4Runner that I bought in 2005 with 83k miles on it. Flew one-way to Orlando, FL and drove it back to Birmingham, AL without issue. So I have experience on good deals. Obviously, I am wondering if anyone else has had similar experience and what they would do in my position. I have spoken with the gentleman and he sounds very genuine. Looking forward to your responses. Thank you.

    • If anyone buys a car far from where they live, instead of driving it home, you can have it shipped (via semi) & save having to drive the car far and putting extra miles on the engine. 

  39. What do you think of a 1996 Camry with 118,500 miles on it?

    My mom would rather have me get a newer car, like a 2004 Civic, with 180,000 miles. Thoughts?

    • Newer cars require more money to fix that that 1996 of yours since they are more computerized than ever, and have more sensors than ever.  But a new car with the fewest bells and whistles and a good brand can be a good idea too. If you do decide to go the new car route, I would look at cars with the lowest number of fancy features on it. Especially if you intend to keep it a long time.

  40. I am going to buy a 2015 Toyota Camry  There seems to be many of them available.  One has only 8000+ miles on it.  Why would this be?  Anyone here have an opinion?

    • IMO, ne of two things, was in a dealership for a couple of years before selling, HIGHLY unlikely, or rebuilt title. If you’re lucky, some retired person who barely drives owned it. Definitely try to a car history. I figure you’re not making a purchase decision on this anymore, but may help someone anyways.

  42. my car is 15 years old this summer of 2018 and has 78,000 miles and looks great and runs great, been taken good care of, however, I still have the urge to buy a new car, but why would I want car payments, I am 62, should I buy that new car now, so that, it is paid off by the time I retire

    • If I were you, I would still keep the old car and buy a newer car, not necessarily a brand new car. A car that is about 3 years old can be a great buy because it has already depreciated and a good buy if it has been maintained well, etc.

  43. Ultimately it’s a bit of luck of the draw. I’ve had cars with almost 300k that gave me next to no issues and newer, low mile cars that were junk, and everything in between. Cars will eventually need work and knowing when is difficult to assess. 

  45. You can buy a brand new car – and have problems with it from the word go!  You can buy a second hand car, high mileage or not and it will run for many years without problems.  With all the variations in between. Buying a car is just a gamble!  As for high mileage, there is a car featured in the Guiness Book Of Records which is still running well, its mileage is recorded at almost 3 million miles!

    • My brother inlaw had a Motorway crash with a Corolla on the M4. Car flipped upside down and he survived so id say it’s a good car to buy especially for safety.

    • Corolla’s are known to be pretty much bulletproof to 200 or even 300K. If it’s been well maintained,  I wouldn’t even blink twice! 

    • 09 Corolla is the 2 worst year made next to an 03. I see this is an old thread, but stay away. Whatever you buy, Google the worst years made, no brand is bullet proof.

  47. If you are worried about a car having issues before buying it, take it to a mechanic and have it checked all over before purchasing. The owner/dealer should have no problem with this, especially if there really are no problems. Good luck all! 

    • I’ve had bad experience where I had a professional mechanic checked a Chevy old van and he said it was “Good running condition”. The van died in the middle of my trip moving from OR to CO in Idaho. I was stranded in a tiny town for 3 days and the mechanics there educated me that there are no more parts sold for the old van. I had to dump it after pouring my hard earned money into the tires/steering wheel issue, etc and rent a huge UHaul truck (they were out of vans). Be very careful of which mechanic you hire. 

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