Is Age or Mileage More Important When Buying a Used Vehicle?
CR's experts offer used-car buying advice for when you need to make compromises
Car shoppers often face the dilemma of being drawn to an older model or even a high-mileage model that’s otherwise a perfect match for their budget, needs, or tastes. This is especially true in today’s market, where vehicle selection is haphazard and late-model, low-mileage cars are in short supply. So if you have to compromise, does age or mileage matter more?
"There’s no strict rule when it comes to this,” says Michael Crossen, Lead Technician at Consumer Reports’ auto test program. “You really need to take a close look at the car you’re thinking about buying. In addition to checking out the car, check the maintenance, repair, and vehicle history records to see if it’s been well cared for or if there are any inconsistencies."
Some possible red flags are if the mileage seems unusually low or unusually high for the car’s age, or if the car seems to be too good a deal, adds Crossen. There may be legitimate reasons for these factors, but in such cases it is always best to give an extra careful look.
High-mileage cars may need pricey service and repair work, such as a timing belt or fuel pump replacement. Be sure to factor this into your budget, setting aside some money in an emergency fund.
Another factor you want to take into consideration when deciding between age and mileage is the advancements in technology that occur between one model year and the next.
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Editor’s Note: This article has been adapted from an episode of Talking Cars.
