When you are looking for a good used car, you have many factors to consider. Two of the most important ones are age and mileage. Today's superior construction and engineering mean that cars can last longer than ever. When you are looking for a vehicle to purchase, you may wonder which is more important: age or mileage? The answer depends on how well the vehicle was maintained and how the mileage was acquired. 

Mileage

In the past, cars with 100,000 miles or more were considered just days from death. If you were going to buy a used car with that kind of mileage, people would have thought you were crazy. Now, cars are expected to put up that type of mileage and much more. Buying a car with 100,000 miles can be a sound decision. Of course, you need to know how the car accumulated that many miles. If you are looking at a car that was seldom driven out on the highway, then high mileage is a concern. City miles take a much greater toll on a vehicle than highway miles. In general, you may want to find a lower mileage car, but miles alone should not be the reason for rejecting a vehicle.

Age

In 2014, the average age of cars on the road in the United States reached 11.4 years. In part, this phenomenon occurred because people do not want to invest their money in a new car. However, people could make that choice because of the superior construction and longevity of today's modern vehicles. Older cars can still be an excellent choice for your "new" used car. You may, in fact, prefer an older car with reasonable mileage. Experts suggest that regular maintenance of an older car is the most important factor in its longevity. Also, an older car that is driven regularly is more likely to continue running well. 

Deciding to buy a used car does take some serious consideration. Sometimes an older car with lower mileage is your best bet. In others, the high mileage younger car can be. You need to take both factors into consideration and look at the overall condition of the car. Look at any available service records as well. You should not eliminate a possibility just on age or mileage. You may be able to find a wonderful bargain on an older, high mileage car that will be road-ready for years to come.

Talk with someone at a dealership like Star Auto Mall LLC for more information on buying a used car.

Share