Are you looking to purchase a new car and wondering how many miles is too much for a used car? This is a very common question for many individuals looking to buy a car. Buying a used car is definitely a great way to save some money, but it can also be difficult to find the perfect car. Let’s say you just found the most ideal car within your budget but you realize it has over 100,000 miles on it. So, what should you do? Do you walk away from it or consider purchasing it? Let’s take a look at how many miles are too many in terms of used cars.
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The General Rule Of Thumb
When you are car shopping for a used car, you will want to look at the big picture. Mileage is very important but you also want to look at the age of the car, the history of it, and compare the highway mileage vs city mileage. Let’s say you are comparing two cars that are equal except one has 35,000 miles on it and the other has 135,000 miles on it. This seems like an obvious answer to choose the vehicle with lower miles on it.
It is important to note that lower miles doesn’t always mean the better car. Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple. A well maintained with 135,000 miles on it might be in overall better shape than the car with 35,000 miles on it that was a prior rental car and has a rough history. It is very important to look at the whole big picture of what the car has been through and what type of maintenance schedule it has been on.
When you are scoping out different cars it is crucial that you get the vehicle history report. You can get this on AutoCheck or Carfax. You want to make sure that you thoroughly do your research before you purchase any used car. You want to be fully aware of what you are getting yourself into before you spend the money on a used car. So, the general rule of thumb is to do your research before you completely judge a car based on its mileage. Every used car has its own story, so it is important to understand where the car has been and what it has been through.
Is It Ture The Fewer Miles The Better?
Many individuals think that lower mileage means the best car. This is not always the case if you are dealing with a used car that has been in a lot of accidents or one that used to be a rental car. Mileage is definitely something to consider, but it does not always mean that is the better option.
Additionally, there can be too few miles on a car. What does this mean? If a vehicle is only driven a few thousand miles in its life you will want to know why? It is not good for cars to sit around as they start rusting out and aging themselves. It is important to keep the car moving as parts will eventually stop working if it sits for too long. Furthermore, the engine and transmission system requires proper lubrication. To get this proper lubrication movement is required. So, if a car has been sitting for long periods of time the parts are not properly lubricated and won’t function to their full potential. Eventually, they might stop working and you will have to pay for the repairs.
This is a great example of mileage not being the only factor to pay attention to. If you automatically go for the lowest mileage, you could end up spending more money on repairs. Always make sure that you question why the car has such low mileage to gain an understanding of the entire history of the car.
Should I Focus On City Or Highway Miles?
When you are searching to buy a used car and are looking at mileage, it is important to note that not all mileage is the same. City miles and highway miles will affect the car in many different ways. You will want to try and determine where the bulk of these miles came from before you purchase a used car.
City driving will increase fuel consumption because you are constantly stopping at intersections and then pressing the gas to continue driving. The stop and go does have an effect on your car. Additionally, many city roads have potholes or rough roads that will have an effect on the car’s suspension system. This will also make your car age faster.
Highway driving is far less strenuous on your car. If you think about it, typically highway roads are smoother and you are driving faster without stopping nearly as much. This allows your car to run at more constat levels using less fuel. Also, highway driving doesn’t have many ditches or potholes so the overall condition of your car should be better. Highway miles are much less strenuous on the overall condition of your car.
As you can see, there is a big difference between highway miles and city miles. When you are looking for a used car, you want to make sure you ask the owner what type of miles are on this car. This will give you a better idea of the overall condition of the car’s suspension. It will also give you some insight into what the car was being used for. This information on highway miles vs city miles isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, but it is information that you want to be aware of before you purchase a car.
How Can I Maximize The Lifespan Of My Car?
After you purchase your used car, there are a few different things you can to make sure you get the most out of your car and it lasts for a while. The best way to ensure your car has a long lifespan is to avoid accidents. When your car gets in an accident and needs to be repaired, it is never 100% the same. The parts aren’t the original parts anymore and other parts might have shifted slightly due to the accident. You can fix up your car very well but it won’t be exactly the same as it once was. The best way to try and avoid accidents is to avoid distractions while driving. These distractions include eating, talking on the phone, and texting.
Another way to maximize the lifespan of your car is to make sure you go through a car wash frequently and wax it at least twice a year. This is especially true if you live in a colder climate where salt is used on the roadways. This salt will stick to your car and eventually contribute to rust. Once your car starts to rust out, parts could start getting holes in them or fall off from the car. It is important to make sure you frequently wash your car to keep it in the best cosmetic condition.
Lastly, you want to make sure that you are keeping up with regular maintenance checks. These are very important to maintain the best condition of your car. During these routine checks, you might be able to find a small problem and fix it before it becomes a bigger problem. Additionally, it is crucial that you get your oil changed regularly because if you don’t you could severely damage your car.
Make sure that you take your car to a trustworthy mechanic who is looking out for your car’s best interest and not just trying to make money off of you. You will be able to ask your mechanic about any issues you think your car is having and they will be able to quote you out the costs for any repairs you might need.
Final Thoughts- Things To Consider When Buying A High Mileage Car
So, when you are looking to purchase a used car make sure that you look at other factors besides the mileage alone. You want to know the condition of the current car, the history of it, and the maintenance routines it has gone through. All of this information will give you a good idea of the condition of the car and the lifespan. Additionally, don’t always assume that the lowest mileage means the best car.
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