If you’re looking to buy a used car, the mileage of a vehicle is going to be an important factor in making your decision. While buying a car with lower mileage is obviously a plus (thanks to less wear and tear being on the car and potentially a higher resale value), cars with lower mileage generally command a higher cost.
If you’re trying to save on a used car purchase, then you’ll probably be looking at cars with higher mileage. But high mileage cars can come with more risk, sometimes to the point that what you save on the cost of the car you’ll lose in repairs and wait times. So how much mileage is too much? When is saving on the price of a low mileage car just not worth it?
Buying A Used Car With High Mileage
The obvious benefit of buying a car with higher mileage is that they usually have a lower asking price. This is for a number of reasons. While a car with higher mileage will usually have more wear and tear on it from extended use, it doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t run better than a car with less mileage on it. However, cars with more mileage are more prone to breaking down.
That means that shopping for cars with higher mileage can save you money. The downside that comes with that is that cars with more mileage are more likely to need more upkeep and maintenance. If the car needs major repairs, that could erase all of the savings you made from buying the higher mileage car in the first place.
Factoring In Mileage When Used Car Shopping
On the other hand, some cars with very little mileage won’t run at all, and some with high mileage will perform just fine. So how do you know if the car you’re looking at is worth the risk? One thing you can look at is the year to mileage ratio.
The year to mileage ratio takes the total mileage of the car compared against the age of car. This is important because some cars with high mileage have accumulated those miles over a long period of time, but maintain relatively low miles each year between maintenance and tune-ups. On the other hand, a car with fairly low mileage could have a higher per year mileage average, which means it’s been worked harder.
Year To Mileage Ratio
Looking at the year to mileage ratio is important because it can be an important factor in how long a car might last. The car with less overall mileage, but more per year mileage has been under more stress and could be more prone to breakdowns.
Shopping For A Used Car
Of course, mileage isn’t the only factor you should look at when shopping for a used car. You want to try to get as much information about the car you’re looking at as possible. That way you can make the best informed choice when picking a car you can trust.
In the end, only due diligence will be able to tell you how much mileage is too much. It depends on your tolerance for possible repair problems and what price point is worth that increased risk for you. As a general rule, there are certain numbers where state lemon law rules no longer apply to the used car sale based on the mileage of the car. Those numbers can range from 50,000 miles on the car to 100,000 miles depending on which state you’re in, so you want to be sure to research those numbers and factor those into your decision making process.
If you’re still trying to find the right used Nissan in New Jersey be sure to shop at Royal Motors Inc. for the best deals in NJ! We accept all trades regardless of condition and with bank financing starting at 2.89% we’re able to accommodate most credit needs. Speak to our friendly team of experts at (856) 346-2121 or visit our location in Voorhees, NJ today!
