When shopping for your next vehicle, you may come across some used models that have a lot of miles on them already. Seeing a lot of miles on a vehicle concerns you, and you’re not sure if this is where you should spend your money. However, there are other things you should think about besides just the mileage. When you take other factors into consideration, you may discover that a high-mileage car actually makes sense. Below are some things to consider before making your decision.
Vehicle History Report
First, you should get a history report on the vehicle you’re considering. A vehicle history report will tell you important information such as whether the car has been in any serious accidents, has had flood damage, or needs major repairs. If you get a vehicle history report back that shows no other issues, then the high mileage doesn’t matter as much. A vehicle with a lengthy accident history or that needs major repairs should be a bigger factors than the number of miles on it.
The Age of the Car
Another thing to consider is the age of the vehicle. There’s a difference between a car that’s 10 years old with 50,000 miles and a 1-year-old car with 50,000 miles. The first car was seemingly used sparingly throughout its life, while the second car was used extensively over a short period of time. The average car gets about 12,000 miles on it per year. Take this number and multiply it by the number of years to see if the car you’re considering is above or below average.
Brand of Vehicle
Some car brands simply last longer than others. Whenever you’re shopping for a used car, you’ll want to consider the brand when trying to figure out how many more miles you’ll be able to get out of the vehicle. Getting a car that’s known for its reliability at high mileage can ensure that you are spending your money wisely.
For example, both Toyota and Honda are known for producing vehicles that can reach over 200,000 miles. Therefore, a Toyota with 120,000 miles may be more attractive to you than a vehicle with the same number of miles from some other brand. Spend some time researching the brand and model of vehicle you’re considering and see how long it can last.
Maintenance History
Whenever possible, you should get a maintenance history of the vehicle you’re considering. Regular maintenance is one the best ways to keep a vehicle on the road for a long time. Learn what type of maintenance has been done recently and how often maintenance has been performed.
Also, take into account the time between maintenance jobs and not just the number of miles. The reason for this because cars still need maintenance even if they are not used a lot. So, even if the last service update was 1,000 miles ago, if it’s been a few years, it may need another service update to flush and replace fluids.
Another thing to learn is whether the car has had major repairs recently. For example, if the vehicle has a brand-new transmission, this means your transmission has fewer miles on it than the rest of the vehicle. Since a transmission is one of the more expensive and likely repairs as a car gets older, having a new transmission would be something to consider when looking at a vehicle..
Price of the Vehicle
Finally, it all really comes down to the price of the car. While a car may have high mileage, if you only need it for a short time and it’s at a reasonable price, getting a high-mileage car may make sense. On the other hand, if you plan on driving this car for the next 10 years and it seems a little overpriced, getting this high-mileage car may not be the best idea.
A good method is to use an online tool to determine the value of the vehicle. Then examine your car buying budget and see what you can reasonably afford. If the numbers are close, don’t let the fact that the car has a lot of miles deter you too much. Whether you can afford the vehicle is typically much more important than the number of miles already on it.
Should I Buy a Car or Truck with High Mileage?
In the end, the answer to the question “Should I buy a used car with high mileage?” is “It depends.” Every car is different, and the number of miles is only one factor to consider. You may find a vehicle with 150,000 miles that’s actually in better shape than one with 75,000 miles.
When shopping for a used car, try to think about it in terms of how many miles you’ll get out of a car rather than how many miles it already has. You’re essentially paying for how long the car will last and not how long it’s been around. Its history can help you determine how long the car may last, and therefore how much you should pay for it, but you’re still paying for future use.
Start the Car Buying Process in Grand Forks, ND
If you’re interested in buying a used car or truck, please turn to the pros at Rydell Outlet Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota. We have a wide range of used vehicles available, with all sorts of mileage numbers on them. Our team is always happy to take you through our inventory and provide you with any information you need about a vehicle’s history to help you make a decision. Our team works hand in hand with customers, including those who are first time car buyers and know how to find the perfect car, truck, or SUV for you.
To get started, you can browse our inventory of used vehicles online today. Also, be sure to check out our used car specials to get even more of a discount. Feel free to contact us with any questions or to set up a test drive. We know that buying a used car is a big decision, and we’ll do whatever we can to make the process a little easier for you. Whether it’s a car with 1 mile or 100,000, we’ll help you find a reliable vehicle that’s perfect for your situation.
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