What Is Good Mileage on a Used Car?

If you’re looking to upgrade your ride, you don’t necessarily need a new vehicle. You can get an updated used vehicle or certified pre-owned vehicle that will make your Ooltewah drives easier on your wallet and on your peace of mind.

Buying a used vehicle is a big decision, and you have several things to consider like the price, condition, mileage, and how long you intend to own it. Some experts may suggest you should avoid a used car with over 100,000 miles on the odometer. But that isn’t necessarily the case now with modern manufacturing.

If the vehicle has been taken care of and is well maintained it could still be a very good buy for Dalton-area drivers, especially if the driver used full synthetic oil. Learn more about what is good mileage on a used car in this guide from Mtn. View Chevrolet.

The Smart Way to Shop for a Used Car

When shopping for your next vehicle, high mileage for a used car might be at the forefront of your mind after the price. However, there are some things you should look at in addition to the mileage.

Look over these other details as you calculate a good mileage for a used car:

• Usage – A car driven 75,000 miles in stop-and-go traffic will wear down sooner than one with 75,000 miles driven mostly on the highway. Make sure that you get the previous owner’s driving history before you buy a used car. Even better, you can look over a certified pre-owned vehicle for sale that’s been brought up to like-new standards.
• Location – Vehicles that have been driven mostly in a dry, warm climate undergo less stress than vehicles from areas that have a cold, wet climate. You’ll find less wear and tear in dry, warm climates.
• Condition – Get a certified mechanic to inspect the vehicle. The mechanic will determine if there are any issues, such as mechanical problems or rust. Figure this cost into your budget.
• Maintenance – Check the maintenance history of the vehicle, if it’s available, to ensure that it has been kept up to date on routine services like oil changes. Irregular service history can be a sign of expensive problems in the future. One key here is to buy a used car from a dealership where the previous owner brought the vehicle in for service. That dealership will have the service and maintenance records of the used vehicle for you to inspect.

Choosing a Used Car Based on Mileage

If you’re fixated on what is good mileage on a used car, there is no easy answer. Many factors go into a used vehicle’s condition.

However, it’s best to think about how much mileage you’ll get out of a used car as well as the miles driven per year. If a used car has 50,000 miles and seems to be working pretty well, then it’s likely a good buy. However, a cheap used car with 100,000 miles can probably last you another four years so long as it’s in decent condition.

The typical driver clocks about 12,000 miles per year, so keep this in mind when comparing mileage vs. age. A five-year-old vehicle with 100,000 miles on it (20k miles per year) might be in worse condition than a 20-year-old car with 150,000 miles (7,500 miles per year) on the odometer based on the miles driven per year.

Mileage vs. Age

A newer car with high mileage may well be a better choice than a low-mileage older car because newer cars are built to last longer and have better technology in them. You’ll need to check on the reliability records of the cars you’re shopping for.

In general, vehicles made in 2008 or later might be in better operating condition because the engines were made with more robust materials. Plus, manufacturers highly recommended full synthetic oil for those vehicles, so the engines may be in better shape if their owners took care of them with regular maintenance.

Make sure to take these factors into account when buying a used car and the mileage it has:

• A car that hasn’t been driven regularly may have higher repair costs. Mechanical issues, or problems with rubber seals and gaskets, can develop if a car isn’t driven regularly.
• A vehicle with a well-documented maintenance history is preferable to one that has been neglected. Make sure to ask for the maintenance history of the vehicle, if one is available.
• Low-mileage vehicles often come with a higher price tag, so you can probably find a higher-mileage vehicle that’s still in good shape.

A certified pre-owned model is worth considering if your goal is to purchase a like-new, low-mileage used car for sale. These vehicles have been brought to like-new factory specs as closely as possible by trained technicians.

How Long Do Chevrolet Vehicles Last?

When taken care of properly, Chevrolet vehicles can last 200,000 miles or more. The key is to follow the regular maintenance schedule for your vehicle. We invite you to see what Chevy vehicles you see driving around Athens. We bet you’ll see some Chevy Silverado pickup trucks from 20 years ago still on the road because of their rugged engines.

Find Used Cars for Sale in Chattanooga

Now you know what is good mileage for a used car, it’s time to get behind the wheel. Contact us or call (423) 763-7946 to schedule a test drive of a used vehicle on our lot. While you’re here, check out our used vehicle specials to save some money on your purchase!