What is the Best Mileage For a Used Car?

When you’re buying a used car, you know that it’s likely going to come with some mileage on it. Whether you buy a vehicle from a third-party dealer or one of the Nissan dealers near Providence, Rhode Island, you need to know how much mileage is too much. After all, you don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on a vehicle that is not going to last for as long as you expect it to.

You already have a lot to consider when you are buying a used car, so it makes sense that adding mileage to the mix can be overwhelming. The good news is that mileage is easy to understand when you know exactly how high mileage can impact your vehicle. This is what you need to know about buying a used car with some miles on the odometer.

Odometer by marniejill is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0

Mileage Can Tell You a Lot About a Vehicle

When you’re shopping for a used vehicle, you may decide to look at one of the Nissan dealers near Providence or a third-party dealer. No matter where you shop for a car, it’s important that you know how much mileage you’re looking for before you even test drive a vehicle.

Research suggests that the average American drives about 14,200 miles per year . If you want to determine if a car’s mileage is reasonable, multiply 14,200 by the car’s age in years. If the mileage on the vehicle is much higher than this number, the mileage is higher than average. Of course, nobody can tell you for certain that a car with high mileage is a bad car. It’s just that you may want to consider other vehicles if the car you’re looking at has been through a lot.

If a car has very low mileage, your biggest concern might be whether the odometer is accurate. You can address this issue by reading the vehicle’s history report, which you can obtain from a car dealership or a variety of online services.

Remember: Mileage Doesn’t Tell You Everything

A variety of factors are equally important to consider. For example, you’ll want to know how many owners a vehicle has had. In most cases, a car with fewer previous owners is better than a car that has had multiple owners. If you buy a car with just one or two previous owners, the odds that the car has not been maintained is lower. In fact, you can get a lot more mileage out of a vehicle if you make sure it gets regular maintenance.

One thing that mileage can’t tell you is where the car was driven. Believe it or not, this makes a difference. Mileage from city streets puts more wear and tear on your vehicle than mileage from the highway. If a previous owner commuted to work on the highway, that may be better for the vehicle than an owner who mostly drove on city streets. Using the brakes and gas so often can lead to more frequent repairs.

It’s best to have a vehicle inspected by a mechanic before you buy it. An inspection should include an examination of everything, from the belts and brakes to the tires and control system.

Keep in mind that the make and model of a car have a lot to do with how long the vehicle will last. You’ll notice that some cars have a reputation for lasting longer than others.

Age Matters as Much as Mileage

Mileage is not the only issue to consider. Age and mileage go hand in hand. A vehicle that is 10 years old with 100,000 miles looks a lot different from a vehicle that is 10 years old with 60,000 miles. The 10-year-old car with 60,000 miles has spent a lot of time sitting, which means that the car may still run quite smoothly in spite of its age.

So, remember to consider more than just the mileage of a car. You need to consider all facets of the vehicle, from the age and mileage to the date of the last service and the number of owners it has had.

You Can Find a Sweet Spot

When it comes to vehicle mileage, you can certainly find a sweet spot. While most people consider a vehicle with 100,000 miles to be a bit too heavily used, newer cars can get up to 200,000 miles before they are pretty much out of commission. A vehicle that has fewer than 100,000 miles on it will be one to consider.

On the other hand, if you are an infrequent driver, you can likely get away with a few more miles if you are purchasing a newer vehicle that has been properly cared for. You can also do the math to figure out how long a car will last you. For example, if you only put 8,000 miles on a car each year, you may be able to afford a car with higher mileage.

The mileage of your vehicle does matter, whether you are buying or selling a used car. Each mile a vehicle drives will contribute to the wear and tear of its parts. Mileage is also an indicator of how long the vehicle is going to last. When you consider all this information, you can ensure that you are buying a car that will fulfill its purpose for you.

Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles Are a Great Option

Are you looking for a used vehicle that has lower mileage and a great history? A certified pre-owned vehicle can be a good choice. These are cars that the dealership vouches for. Before you even test drive one of these vehicles, you can read through information about the car’s history.

If you are looking for a great vehicle, Nissan dealers near Providence offer a variety of new, used, and certified pre-owned cars . Nucar Nissan of North Attleboro can help you find a car that hits that perfect sweet spot in terms of mileage. Check out our inventory to find the perfect car for you.