What is Good Mileage for a Used Car?

The cutoff for good mileage on a used car is generally somewhere between 30,000 and 60,000 miles, but today’s used cars are lasting longer than ever! Even a used car with 100,000 miles or more can be a good choice if it has a strong maintenance history and a lack of deeper structural damage. 

The average driver puts on around 12,000 miles per year. Can you pay off your auto loan before your chosen used car crosses the 200,000-mile threshold? If you’re sure that the answer is yes, you should be able to purchase your chosen used vehicle with confidence.

What is Considered High Mileage on a Used Car?

Many different pre-owned vehicles can be good investments under the right circumstances, but what is good mileage on a used car, really? What is considered high mileage for a used car? It’s probably a smart idea to avoid any vehicle with more than 150,000 miles, but no two drivers have exactly the same needs.

While the space between 60,000 and 100,000 miles is often described as a sweet spot for drivers who want to avoid high maintenance costs and low-mileage premiums, you’ll need to weigh multiple different factors when you’re making a decision:

• Low mileage used cars for sale are often sold with higher price tags. Choosing a used car with higher mileage could be a better investment, especially if you could pay off your loan more quickly.
• If your chosen vehicle has acquired more than 12,000 miles per year, its engine may have accumulated some excess wear and tear.
• On the other hand, a vehicle with very low mileage may not be well maintained. Many components and service fluids will break down over time, even if they aren’t being used.
• Maintenance is probably the most decisive factor in a vehicle’s long-term performance. Check the vehicle history report to ensure that your chosen vehicle has gotten all of its necessary services.

Our current service loaners are among the most gently used vehicles that you can find anywhere in the Cranston area. Many of these models even have fewer than 10,000 miles.

Shopping for a Used Car: What Else Should You Keep in Mind?

Certain important factors won’t be as obvious on the surface. If you’re getting ready to make a purchase, getting the answers to the following questions can help you make a smart decision:

• Does the vehicle have structural damage? Models that have been in collisions tend to be less reliable than other used cars. Take your chosen model to a mechanic and ask them to check for structural issues.
• How was the vehicle used by its previous owner? Different circumstances produce different amounts of wear and tear. Highway miles are less damaging than miles acquired in stop-and-go city traffic. By the same turn, towing or off-roading can place additional stress on an engine.
• What was the climate in the vehicle’s previous location? If at all possible, buy a used car that was driven in a cool, temperate climate without a lot of moisture. Extreme heat, extreme cold, and excess precipitation can each take a toll on a vehicle’s components.

What Are the Best Low-Mileage Used Cars for Sale?

Are you still searching for the most appealing low-mileage used cars for sale near East Greenwich and Providence? Look no further than our certified pre-owned BMW inventory. CPO BMW vehicles must have fewer than 60,000 miles, and each comes with complimentary roadside assistance and warranty coverage. Make sure to check out our BMW CPO special offers before you apply for financing.

Trade In Your Old Used Car Today!

We want to buy your used car–no matter how many miles it has on the odometer! Value your trade-in today to bring home a low-mileage used car for much less than you might expect.