What is Good Mileage on a Used Car?

A question that used car shoppers in El Cajon often ask us is, “What is good mileage on a used car?” When shopping for a used vehicle, it’s important to know how much it has been driven, as the mileage can sometimes be an indicator of how much maintenance the car will potentially need. Learn with Kearny Mesa Kia in San Diego, as we delve into what is considered good mileage for a used car. 

What is Considered Good Mileage for a Used Car?

Typically, a car with over 100,000 miles of above incurs a high increase in vehicle repair costs. In turn, good mileage for a used car is usually below 100,000 miles. Generally, the average car driving puts anywhere between 10,000 miles – 12,000 miles on their vehicle per year, so here are some factors you should consider when shopping for a used car:

• Miles vs. Age: Even though a vehicle is older, does not necessarily mean that it’s in bad shape. A 1-year-old car with 40,000 miles on it may be in worse condition than a 5-year-old vehicle with 60,000 miles on it, simply because it has been driven more in a shorter period of time.
• Manufacture Year: Because car manufacturing has drastically improved over the last decade, there are more recently used vehicles that will over 100,000 miles, some even past 200,000 miles. 
• Regularly Scheduled Maintenance: Even though a vehicle has a low number of miles on it, if it doesn’t receive maintenance on a regular basis, it may have more issues than a car with more miles on it. Thus, it’s important to ask for a proof of maintenance when purchasing a vehicle. 

Additional Things to Keep in Mind When Buying a Used Car 

When shopping for a used vehicle, not only should you inquire about the mileage, but there are other determining factors that La Mesa drivers should be aware of when making this purchase:

• Model Generation: Usually we think that the newer a model, the fewer flaws it has. Sometimes, this is not the case. There are occasions when reputable models are redesigned after a few years on the market for the new generation, and they don’t quite work out. However, a vehicle that had a less than reputable reputation may improve with a redesign. You can usually find these stats on review sites like Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.com.
• Vehicle History Report: The vehicle history report is a crucial resource as it shows you repair reports, collisions, police records, and DMV records. This document is a great way to find out what kind of wear and tear the car has endured over the years.
• Location: A vehicle’s history report will also tell you where in the world the car has “lived.” This is great information to have, especially when certain climates can impact a vehicle’s functionality. For example, drier climates like southern California are more gentle on cars than locations with lots of humidity of frigid winters. 
• Foreign Luxury Car Brands: Luxury vehicles can be pricey to maintain since the coast of shipping high-end OEM parts from overseas can get costly. However, these luxury car brands often have great warranties if you are purchasing a pre-owned model.

Shop for a Used Car for Sale with Kearny Mesa Kia!

Now that you know what’s considered to be good mileage on a used car, browse our used car inventory to find the vehicle you want at a price your budget will love. We even offer vehicles priced under 15K! If you have any more questions regarding used car mileage, contact us and we’ll be happy to help to drive you away to Chula Vista in your favorite used car!