Quick Facts About Older Used Cars
- The early 2000s cars are a good starting point for essential safety features like dual airbags, antilock brakes, and stability control.
- Finding parts to repair cars over 20 years old can be challenging.
- Older luxury cars often have higher maintenance costs, making them more expensive in the long run.
New car prices have cooled slightly from their record levels but remain high, and many drivers consider older used cars to meet their commuting needs. But how old is too old for a reliable car? While there are no rigid rules to follow when shopping for vehicles of a certain age, there are a few key factors to consider. Below, we’ll examine the most important things about purchasing an older used car.
- When Is a Used Car Too Old to Buy?
- What to Consider When Buying an Older Car
- What Is the Best Age to Buy a Car?
- When Is a Car Too Old for a Loan?
When Is a Used Car Too Old to Buy?
As vehicles age, their safety features can become outdated. With modern technological advancements, consumers may discover older cars don’t meet their personal safety standards. This criterion is often true for buyers shopping for family-friendly vehicles like full-size sedans and SUVs.
Additionally, maintenance costs can quickly add up as cars age. Parts are harder to find, and labor is more time-intensive. If these concerns make you uneasy, avoid cars over 20 years old. This rule of thumb may help ensure your vehicle choice is still safe, reliable, and affordable.
What to Consider When Buying an Older Car
While vintage charm and potential lower purchase prices lure some shoppers, critical factors come into play when buying an older car. As mentioned above, many of the safety features and technologies we’ve gotten used to in new vehicles weren’t in mainstream cars as recently as 10, 12, or 15 years ago. The average age of cars on the road today is 12.6 years. Before you commit, pause to consider what matters most to you.
Safety
Many used car shoppers have two ideas regarding safety: The more expensive the car was originally, the better it will be. And the newer the vehicle is, the better it will be.
Keeping those two notions in mind, here are a few general guidelines.
- Front airbags became federally mandated for the 1999 model year. Side airbags aren’t mandatory, but many automakers started including them as a safety feature in the 2000s.
- Since model year 2012, all light-duty vehicles have electronic stability control, though the feature was standard on many higher-end cars before that.
- Vehicles with antilock braking systems were commonplace in the 1990s and became required equipment in 2013.
Although it depends on the car, we believe the early 2000s are an excellent place to start your search if you’re interested in safety. You’ll have other now-standard features like front airbags, antilock brakes, and side airbags. Check your car’s equipment list to ensure those items are included.
Since 2018, new vehicles have included rearview cameras, though the feature was often included in premium cars earlier in the 2000s. Automatic emergency braking was standard in 95% of new vehicles in 2024, and it was found in about 65% of cars from 2015 and later. Both of these features improve safety and are incentives to seek out a newer used vehicle.
Reliability
If reliability is your top priority, you probably don’t want to buy a vehicle that’s too old. After all, the older a car is, the less reliable it’s likely to be, even if it’s a well-maintained, low-mileage vehicle with a good reputation, such as a Toyota or Honda.
Reliability depends on the vehicle and how many miles it’s covered. We wouldn’t go beyond the early 2000s for any daily driver because parts can be harder to find once a car crests 20 years of age. For higher mileage vehicles with more than 150,000 miles on the odometer, we might recommend trying to find a newer model year than the early 2000s.
Always check the vehicle history report from AutoCheck or Carfax to get a service-and-upkeep snapshot of the car you’re considering.
Equipment
What if you want the latest and greatest technology in your used car? Once again, this depends on your chosen vehicle, but generally, newer vehicles are better than older ones.
For example, a decade ago, heated rear seats were considered a tremendous luxury reserved for only the most expensive cars. Today, the feature is on the options lists of most family sedans and even some compacts. It’s the same story with automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, and ventilated or air-conditioned front seats. A panoramic sunroof and many other items once considered luxuries have become relatively commonplace today.
As a result, we suggest going for the newest possible model if you’re looking to maximize your equipment. If you choose a high-end luxury car, such as a BMW or a Mercedes-Benz, beware of potentially high maintenance bills that can make these vehicles even more expensive to own as they age.
What Is the Best Age for a Used Car?
According to data from Cox Automotive, Autotrader’s parent company, the average new car transaction price is about $48,400, and the average listing price for used cars is over $25,400. If these numbers are outside your budget, you must balance age, cost, safety, and reliability.
- Vehicles 2-3 years old have newer safety features and fewer age-related repairs but have higher prices.
- Used cars 5-7 years old typically have lower prices while still having modern features that impact your daily driving experience. They might need repairs every couple of years.
- A vehicle older than 8-10 years is cheaper but riskier, as breakdowns might be more frequent depending on its driving and maintenance histories.
- Cars 15-20 years old are nearing the end of their service lives. While they’re the cheapest to buy, unexpected and costly repairs can upend the lower initial cost.
MORE: Is It Bad to Buy a Used Car With Unusually Low Mileage?
When Is a Car Too Old for a Loan?
Some people buy cars with cash, while many buyers prefer or need to finance a used car. Banks and credit unions consider the vehicle’s age before making an auto loan. Check potential lender’s restrictions regarding vehicle age early in your shopping journeys to avoid disappointment.
For example, the bank you use might restrict loans for cars under 10 years old. However, your local credit union may provide financing for vehicles up to 15 years old. Confirm the odometer reading before making a loan application because lenders also have limitations on vehicle mileage.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since its initial publication.
