What Is Considered High Mileage for a Used Car?

If you are considering buying a used car in Lake Havasu City but you are worried about potential repair costs, explore our guide to used car mileage so you can get the best idea of “what is good mileage for a used car” and “what is considered high mileage for a used car?”. You may be wondering “is high mileage bad?” In short, not necessarily. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Anderson Auto Group if you have any questions, then come look at our low mileage used cars for sale in Bullhead City.

What Is Considered High Mileage for a Used Car?

What is good mileage for a used car? Over time there is an exponential increase in vehicle repair costs, most people purchasing older cars are looking for the used car mileage to be below 100,000 miles. Consider that the average driver puts about 10,000-12,000 miles per year on their vehicle and a few other things that come to play beyond the question of “is high mileage bad?”:

• How many miles vs. age of the car: A vehicle that is a year old with 40,000 miles on it may be in worse shape than a 5 year old vehicle with 60,000 miles on it, because it has been extensively driven in a shorter span of time.
• Year of manufacture: Car manufacturing has improved significantly in the last decade. There are now more recent used models that will last well over 100,000 miles and even past 200,000 miles.
• Regularly Scheduled Maintenance: A vehicle with 15,000 miles on it that hasn’t received its regular maintenance may have more issues than a vehicle with 30,000 miles on it that did receive regular maintenance. When purchasing, be sure to ask for proof of maintenance.

What is Good Mileage for a Used Car: Other Considerations

• Model Generation: When a model with a great reputation is redesigned after a few years for the new generation or “iteration”, it can go badly. Inversely, a vehicle that perhaps was less-than-stellar in the past may have been improved with a redesign. This can usually be determined in the reviews of websites like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds.com.
• Location: The Vehicle History Report will tell you where this car has “lived”–dryer climates like southern Bullhead City and Hemet are gentler on vehicles than places with lots of humidity or harsh winters.
• Foreign Luxury Car Brands: Due to the cost of shipping high-end replacement OEM parts overseas, luxury vehicles can become expensive to repair. On the other hand, these brands often have excellent warranties if you are purchasing certified pre-owned, and luxury dealerships may provide perks while your car is being serviced.
• Vehicle History Report: A vehicle history report from the previous owner will show any repair reports, collisions, police records, and DMV records, that may tell you more about what wear and tear the car has sustained over the years. 

Find a Low Mileage Used Car for Sale at Anderson Auto Group!

Now you know that used car mileage isn’t the only thing to consider when shopping for a used car, and “is high mileage bad?” isn’t the most important question. You can come test drive high-quality, low mileage used cars for sale near Hemet, and take a look at our used vehicle specials if you are ready to get a great deal on your next car in Lake Havasu City!