Oct 22, 2019
If you're planning to buy a used vehicle, there are several factors to consider. Age and condition are just some of these factors to think about when getting a pre-owned car. But many people think that mileage is the most critical factor when buying a used vehicle. Is it true? Or should we look at other factors equally? You're going to find out in this article.
But first and foremost, let's be real here. Why are these factors should be considered in the first place? It's because there's a massive difference between buying a new car and buying a used one. A new car looks good and, well, new; therefore, you can rely on its performance to be good as new. Used cars may look new, but there's no full assurance if it's going to operate like a new one can. And this is a great reason why you should spare some time to check on a used car before making a purchase.
Should You Focus on the Used Car Mileage?
The answer is - yes and no. Yes, because it's essential to do so and no, because you should also think of the other factors. To explain further, we are giving you two simple examples.
Example one: You spotted an excellent used car that looks like it's still in its mint condition. You check the interior, and you thought it looks like nobody has used it for years. Then it came as a surprise that the mileage is still low. And since it comes with the right price, you thought you had hit the jackpot. But there's one tiny problem - it's a decade-old car.
Example two: You spotted another used car you'd like to buy. This time, you checked the age - it's only two years old. Its exterior and interior also looked great, and it comes with the latest car tech. You thought to yourself that this might be the car of your dreams at a fraction of the cost, and you might buy it right then and there. But yet another dilemma comes out in the open - the model almost reaches its 100,000th mile.
As you can see, used car mileage is essential, but so is age and the health and condition of the car. You might get the first car, but you might have expensive car problems in the future because of its age. If you're getting the second car, on the other hand, you'd be able to take advantage of the beauty and youth of the car - but you can only go so far.
So What To Do?
When buying a used car, the first thing to act on is to do some research. It might sound impossible, but impulse buying can also happen when buying a car, especially when buying a used one. So to avoid disappointment in the future, check with Google first. Find out about the model's history and read some reviews of people who bought it before you - they might have some complaints written about it. And don't just focus on the small complaints - look for actual complaints such as transmission, engine, and electronic problems. These issues can be costly when fixed, and you wouldn't want that to happen to you frequently.
It's also essential to research the car's history. You can get that information from either the dealer or the car owner. Request for a historical data of the car - from how many repairs it went through, how many maintenance it's got, and changes. Used car reports are always available for you to check on a used car's grade.
Used Car Mileage: Which Is A Good Number?
It is agreed that the average used car mileage should be 15,000 miles per year. So if the used car is four years old, then the mileage should be around 60,000 miles. Anything higher than that means the used car has a high mileage while lower than that is considered low mileage. But again, an excellent car mileage average doesn't mean that it's going to function well.
When all these are still a blur for you, you can always count on buying pre-inspected cars. These used cars already have grades so you won't have to do intensive research on the used car mileage and other factors. Click on the link to look at some pre-inspected cars.