According to statistics, an average car owner runs their car 12,000 miles each year. To know if the car has good mileage, you need to multiply 12,000 by the car’s age.
For example, if a used Honda of a 4-year-old car has a mileage of 48,000, it indicates that the car has good mileage. Anything less than that means that the car might give you a hard time in the future.
If you are planning to buy a used car, the most important parameter you should check is if the car has good mileage. You can negotiate the car’s value depending on how high or low the car’s mileage is.
But often, the mileage of a car can also mislead you. Consider the number of owners the car has when you are determining the quality of the car. If you are considering buying a car with a mileage of 90,000 and 10 years old, we can vouch that it is a good deal.
However, if the 10-year-old car has 4-5 owners, one of these owners might not be good with maintenance. On the other hand, if you get a deal to buy a car with only one owner over 10 years, but the mileage is 50,0000, you can play your cards and buy the car.
Why Is Considering Mileage Important?
The mileage on the odometer is a great way of determining the car’s use over the years. You can decide the price of the car by following a simple thumb rule, i.e., the higher the mileage higher will the value, and vice-versa.
Another significant factor in why the mileage is important is that it indicates the engine’s condition and the suspension. The serviceability of the car depends on the mileage they have run. The mileage parameter is great for determining how well-maintained the car was over the years.
How Many Miles On A Car Is Too Much And Too Little?
The first thing you need to consider when buying a car is that the odometer is working properly and the parameter it reflects is accurate. No strict rule decides how many miles is too less or too much.
Going by the 12,000 mileage rule, if you have a deal where the car has lower mileage, you can determine whether to buy the car. If the mileage exceeds 12,000, you might consider it before buying the car.
Look into the vehicle’s history report to determine whether investing in the car is good. For instance, you can look at the car’s appearance while buying it. If it was less damage, dents, and wear and tear, you can conclude that the vehicle was not driven too often during its lifetime. It also indicated that the odometer reading is correct, and you can rely on the readings.
However, if you doubt that the odometer is not rendering you accurate parameters, call in a professional mechanic with a technical understanding of cars. The mechanic will also detect if all car parts are working properly. Jumping to a conclusion if you see a lower mileage might be misleading sometimes. The lack of usage might dry out certain car parts when a car owner is not using the car.
A car technician will have a checklist that they will use to determine if the car is fit for buying. They will consider all the major facts from the mileage and working part to the finishing of the car’s body. They will further take the vehicle out on a test drive to determine the steering wheel’s suspension and alignment.
The technicians might conclude whether you should not buy the car, or the car needs some repair before buying, or the car is unfit.
Which Factor Is More Important To Consider While Buying A Used Car, Mileage, Or Age?
There are some red flags that you will understand easily when you will buy a second-hand car. If a car is 10 years old and the owner has priced it more than a 6-year-old car, with the younger car a higher mileage than the older car, it is clear that you should not proceed with the transaction.
The car’s age and mileage both have a great impact on the functioning car. The impacts of these two factors have been different. Though both factors are crucial to deciding the car’s value, these are not co-related.
To get good suggestions, you might hire a mechanic to help you determine what actions you should take.
Used Car Buying Guide
We have curated a checklist to guide you on your quest to buy used cars.
- Shortlist the cars you want to buy: Depending on your budget, invest some time in shortlisting the ones you desire to buy.
- Look for cars in your locality: There are several websites where you can find used cars. Go to the website and filter the used cars you can find within your locality.
- Have a word with the owner: Once you have shortlisted the used cars you want to buy in your locality, contact the owners.
- Ask the seller if there is room for negotiation: If you are confident about your industry knowledge, ask the seller if there are any chances they can offer a lower price.
- Talk to a car tech: Once you have talked to the owner, contact a car technician. With the owner’s permission, take the car tech to view the car and take it on a taste drive. You can proceed with further dealings if you get a green signal from the car technician.
Conclusion
When you are buying a used car, a lot depends on your determining skills, negotiating skills, and luck. This article has mentioned many important factors to consider while buying a car. Thus, do not only go by the car’s mileage and buy it. Check the car’s history with various owners and all the parameters in the odometer. If you have decided which used car you want to buy, maintain the car buy quick fixes and servicing to ensure the car is in good condition and safe for driving.
