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What is good mileage for used cars? This might be one of the first questions you ask yourself when shopping for a pre-owned vehicle. Many quality sedans and SUVs can last 200,000 miles or more when driven under normal conditions and properly maintained. As such, many want cars with five digits or less on their odometers, thinking it increases how much use they can get from their purchase. However, there are some caveats to this. To learn more about good mileage for used cars, read on.
What to Expect From a Used Car With 60,000 Miles
On average, most U.S. drivers travel about 15,000 miles a year. Therefore, it stands to reason that a car with 60,000 miles is about four years old. This is young enough that many of these vehicles could qualify as certified pre-owned cars.
CPO vehicles are special because they undergo more rigorous testing and reconditioning than other used vehicles and are awarded special warranties to help keep them in their top-tier condition. Because they tend to be late-year models, they also can have advanced technology and design elements. For example, you could find an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle in the mix. Fuel economy is important when considering all used vehicles under 60,000 miles as it determines how much you'll spend at the gas pump every month.
Search our current inventory of certified pre-owned vehicles up to 60K miles here, or ask our sales team if you have questions about this program.
What To Expect From a Used Car With 50,000 Miles
If every driver followed the 15,000-mile-per-year driving schedule, then cars with 50,000 miles on the odometer should be about a year younger than the ones previously mentioned. However, the way people use and treat their cars can vary wildly. Finding a four-year-old car with 50,000 miles on it can be a great deal, as it means that the driver used it a little less than average, and it could have more life left in it.
However, you should be a bit wary of vehicles that are a decade old with only 50,000 miles to show for it. Why? Low mileage isn't always the same as good mileage for used cars. Vehicles need to be run regularly to stay in good shape, which is why you should drive your vehicle weekly, even if there is no pressing need to, to preserve the battery. Low mileage can, therefore, be an indicator of poor maintenance.
Fortunately for you, we inspect all used vehicles under 50,000 miles — all our used cars in general — at our certified service department to make sure they can match our high standards. We'll be happy to show you the CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™ and talk you through their specs. Don't hesitate to come to us with any questions or concerns.
What To Expect From a Used Car With 40,000 Miles
You can apply the same general formula to all used vehicles under 40,000 miles. In addition to making sure the mileage makes sense for the car's age, you should pay attention to how the vehicle behaves on your test drive.
Try to experience different road conditions with your available time. A car that does well on a quiet neighborhood street might behave entirely differently on the highway. You should also confirm that the various systems, including the driver-assistance technology, are intuitive for you. If not, you can ask our team to demonstrate how these functions work. Regardless of what the temperature is like outside, test the heat and AC as well.
What To Expect From a Used Car With 30,000 Miles
In many cases, a car with fewer than 30,000 miles is a returned lease vehicle. Leasing allows drivers to get behind the wheel of a new-model sedan, truck, or SUV to explore what perks it offers at a competitive monthly price. They essentially "rent" the vehicle for a pre-set period and have an annual mileage cap, which can run from 10,000-15,000 miles per year.
When their time with the vehicle is up, they return it to the dealership, where the car gets thoroughly inspected and reconditioned. This makes for fantastic buying opportunities for those looking at all used vehicles under 30,000 miles.
As mentioned before, late-model cars often get considered for the CPO program, so explore all certified pre-owned vehicles for something that checks off all the boxes on your wishlist.
Best Gas Mileage Used Cars Under $15,000
Gas mileage and price can have an inverse relationship, with younger, lower-mileage vehicles often costing more than vehicles with higher odometer counts due to their expected performance in the future. That being said, we strive to offer high-quality vehicles at various starting price ranges.
You might also consider trading in a car. This can help offset the cost if you want one of the higher-end vehicles from our all used inventory under $20,000 category.
Best Gas Mileage Used Cars Under $5,000
Most cars in this category will have over 100,000 miles under their belts. However, maintenance can greatly extend a vehicle's life span. Talk to the team at our service department about the recommended maintenance schedule for an older vehicle. Certain driving habits can also help or hurt your sedan, truck, or SUV, and we'll be happy to give you tips to achieve the former.
Find Your Next Used Vehicle at Our Dealership
At this stage of your pre-owned vehicle search, you probably know a lot about what you do and don't want. Tell our team your priorities, and we can help match you to a car from our selection, perhaps before it even makes it to the online listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good mileage for a used first car?
If you are buying a car for the first time or are purchasing a vehicle for your teenager to drive, something with 100,000 miles or so on it can serve you well. Not only could it have over half its life left to go, but it's likely to be more competitively priced than younger models. By the time it matures more, you might be ready to switch from a sedan to an SUV, or your college student might not need a car on their college campus. As such, picking an older vehicle comes with its own flexibility.
Is mileage important when buying a used car?
Mileage can be one contributing factor to how many more years a vehicle has to go. Most vehicles get driven about 15,000 miles per year and have a life span of about 200,000-250,000 miles. A car with 100,000 miles on the odometer might have six or seven years left. If well-maintained, it could last over a decade. However, cars that have been driven too little for their age might have more mechanical problems due to inactivity, so keep that in mind as well.
