Autoflex Lease Returns

What Is Good Mileage For A Used Car

What Is Good Mileage For A Used Car?

Good Gas Mileage  

A lot of us have been in the same position before. We're getting ready to buy a used car, and then we see the odometer. Is that number too high? Is it suspiciously low? What is good mileage for a used car, really? While there isn't always an exact answer for the best mileage for used cars, we can give you a few good places to start when you're getting ready to buy any of our used cars.

How Many Miles on a Used Car Is Too Much?

While there are general standards surrounding what mileage you might ideally want to go with when you buy a used car, the specific number can vary. If you have an incredibly tight budget with no wiggle room whatsoever, for example, you might have to compromise by getting a used Nissan or other used car with a higher number of miles on it. Cars with more miles on the odometer are generally worth less, so you'll be able to get them cheaper. Opposingly, cars with fewer miles on the odometer usually hold a higher value, barring any major mechanical or electrical failures, which will make them slightly more expensive.

To answer this question, it also makes sense to do a little bit of math (don't worry, we promise this isn't trigonometry or anything). How many miles do people usually drive in a year? We find that a good measuring point to start with is 12,000 miles per any given year. So, if you take that assumption and multiply it by how many years the car has been on the roads, you'll have a rough estimate of how much mileage is good for a used car. So, if you're looking at a used Toyota that is five years old, the mileage should probably be somewhere around 60,000 miles (12,000 x 5). Anything less than that will usually just mean that the previous owner(s) didn't drive a lot. Anything substantially more may be worth looking into and double-checking to make sure everything is in running order.

Used Car Mileage Chart

Think of it like when you were back in school. If you took a test and scored an A or a B, you were probably in the clear with your parents. Anything below that might warrant extra studying and tutoring. This is a similar concept when considering the mileage vs. the worth when you come to get a used Ford vehicle, or a used vehicle from any make.

The higher the car's value percentage, the more it's worth overall. The fewer the total number of miles is on a used car's odometer, the higher its value percentage is. To make it a little easier to understand, we've put together a chart showing you the direct correlation between a used car's mileage and the relative value that it holds while it's sitting at that mileage. The next time you start to wonder, "What is good mileage for a used car?" we think this chart will help out.


Used Car Mileage Relative Car Value (Approximate)
0 - 10,000 miles 98%
10,000 - 20,000 miles 95%
20,000 - 30,000 miles 87%
30,000 - 40,000 miles 80%
40,000 - 50,000 miles 75%
50,000 - 60,000 miles 72%
60,000 - 70,000 miles 68%
70,000 - 80,000 miles 66%
80,000 - 90,000 miles 64%

FAQs

How many miles on a used car is too much?

There is rarely an instance where a certain number of miles is too many to consider buying the vehicle in question. When considering how many miles is too many for a used car, also take a look at how old it is. If the car is only three years old and has upwards of 200,000 miles, that could be a red flag. Just use the simple equation we talked about above (age x 12,000) to figure out a general approximation of how many miles should be on the vehicle. And, as always, make sure to request a vehicle history report.

Should I buy a car with 150k miles?

While mileage is definitely an important factor to consider when buying a used car, it shouldn't be an end-all-be-all element. If you don't have a lot of room in your budget for a car that has fewer miles on it, then it's totally okay to go with one that has more miles on it. Just because a car does have more miles on it doesn't mean it's indicative of it being a low-quality vehicle. Always take a test drive and request a vehicle history report to see the facts for yourself and make an informed decision.

Is it worth buying a car over 100k miles?

If you've considered your budget and the car has been on the road for about eight years, 100k miles is a pretty fair mileage to be seeing. If you're in love with the vehicle, it runs exactly how it needs to, and it's within your budget, it can definitely be worth it. As we mentioned, the mileage doesn't have to be the determiner. Every other variable in the car's history, in addition to your financial situation, should all come into play before making the ultimate decision to buy a used car with over 100k miles on it.

Getting Used Cars Is Easy at Autoflex

You already know that Autoflex Leasing is your best bet when it comes to leasing new vehicles. But did you know you can also lease a used Chevrolet, or a used vehicle of any make? That's right, at Autoflex Leasing, we offer used car leasing, which gets you the maximum bang for your buck. No matter what budget you come to us with, we can get you a lease deal that will meet it while giving you a lot of extra features you may not have thought you could get for the price.

Used car leasing isn't exactly a popular practice, but we think it should be. This is why we are pioneering used car leasing in Dallas, TX. We believe everyone deserves to have a leasing experience, but some of the lease prices on new cars are simply unattainable for some people. Used car leasing is the perfect answer to that. And now, thanks to all the information you just learned considering what is good mileage for a used car, you can lease anything with confidence and a helping hand from your financial superstars at Autoflex Leasing.

Buy or Lease Used Cars Get A Trade Estimate Contact Us

Please take a moment to complete the following information so that we may better serve you. Once you have submitted your information, you will be contacted by a customer service specialist.

Autoflex Leasing - Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)