Does Mileage Matter On A Used Car?

The average annual mileage of a vehicle is between 10,000 and 12,000 miles. Mileage plays a major role in a vehicle’s lifespan, and it is something you should greatly consider when searching for used cars for sale. For example, if you can find something with less mileage than the annual average, it may have a lot of life left depending on how well it’s been maintained.

At USA-1’s Elkhart dealership, we are well-informed about how mileage affects a used car. For this reason, we want to help inform you before you decide on a vehicle by providing a list below of factors to consider involving a vehicle’s mileage and how you can prolong a vehicle’s life.

1. How Much Mileage Is Too Much?

While searching for a used car for sale, you may be wondering how much mileage for a used car is too much. The fact is that it will depend on the specific vehicle and how well it has been maintained. However, you should note that the typical mileage cut-off for used cars is 100,000 miles, as the cost of maintenance may cost more than the vehicle itself at that point. Despite this, some vehicle brands are known for manufacturing vehicles that regularly exceed 200,000 miles, so you should always do some brand research before considering a used car for sale.

2. Lifespan Depends On Use

Whether you are shopping at USA-1’s Elkhart dealership or anywhere else, you should consider how a vehicle has been used before determining how long it will last. For example, highway miles typically put less wear on a vehicle than city miles. Thus, if you are trying to decide between an Elkhart used car with 120,000 miles of primarily highway driving or another used car that was mainly driven in the city, the car with mainly highway miles should last longer.

3. Inspecting Used Cars

While shopping at our Elkhart dealership or any other dealer, you should inspect every vehicle, no matter the mileage. After all, you may find something with low mileage that has significant problems. With this being said, you should still pay special attention to any vehicles with high mileage, making sure to check everything before conducting a test drive. If you look at the list below, you can see the most common things to check for when inspecting a used car:

• Exterior: Rust or damage
• Interior: Damage and stains
• Signal lights: Ensure proper functioning

4. Test-Driving Used Cars

One of the most important factors in considering a car for sale near Elkhart, Indiana, or anywhere else is the test drive. During your test drive, you will be able to get an understanding of how every car that interests you handles and drives. Ideally, you should compare each test drive to determine the most suitable vehicle for you. The list below indicates what to observe during a test drive.

• Braking and acceleration: Responsiveness
• Suspension: Rides smoothly
• Cabin noise: Quiet interior
• Safety: Test safety features

If you would like to get a feel for some used vehicles, don’t hesitate to contact us at USA-1’s used car dealer near Elkhart or any used car dealer near you.

5. Proper Maintenance Extends Lifespan

Upon visiting USA-1’s used car lot near Elkhart, Indiana, you will probably notice that just about every vehicle is spotless. Contrary to popular belief, clean cars at a dealership are not just for looks. In fact, keeping a vehicle clean helps to prevent rust and body corrosion. Keeping a clean car, along with many other things, all contribute to maintaining a vehicle, and maintaining a vehicle will significantly help to extend its lifespan. If you browse the following list, you can see the most common vehicle maintenance to help prolong a vehicle’s life:

• Maintain fluids
• Inspect brakes and suspension
• Assess tires regularly
• Check engine belts
• Clean vehicle when necessary