Is Mileage or Age a Better Indicator of Quality in a Used Car?
One common question that used car buyers have is whether they should place more importance on the mileage or the age of a used car when determining its quality. Read on to learn whether it’s more important to consider the age or the mileage of a used car when you’re thinking about whether to purchase it.
Mileage
According to data released by the Federal Highway Administration in 2019, average American car owners put about 14,300 miles on their cars each year. While there isn’t a rule about which cars could be considered “high mileage,” the type of mileage put on a car can have a significant impact on its overall performance.
Cars that are driven in stop-and-go commuter traffic and inner-city areas more often may not have as high of a mileage as cars driven primarily on the highway, but those inner-city cars tend to experience more wear and tear with time. A car that’s mainly driven on highways and interstates at a constant speed will likely be in better shape, even if it has higher mileage.
Age
The average vehicle of an American car owner in 2020 was 12.1 years old. Car owners have been keeping their cars for longer before selling or trading them in for a new model. For a potential used car buyer, this means that cars on the lot may be older than they were in the past. While an older vehicle isn’t necessarily a bad vehicle, you’ll want to make sure that any vehicle you choose has the safety features necessary to keep you and your passengers safe on the road. An older vehicle may not have these features.
Another important thing to consider with the age of a vehicle is how well it was maintained. A vehicle that had regular oil changes and filter replacements is going to be in better shape than a vehicle that wasn’t maintained regularly.
Which Is the Better Predictor of Quality?
Usually, the age of a car ends up being a better predictor of its quality than the mileage on it. A car could have high mileage and still be in great shape if it’s not very old and it’s been maintained. However, it’s good to know how the car was driven so you can determine whether the mileage put on it harmed its quality.
For more information or to explore used cars for sale, visit Gold Motors Auto Group. Our dealership is located in Tampa, Florida, and we also serve those in St. Petersburg and Brandon. We pride ourselves on providing a hassle-free car-buying experience!