What is Good Mileage for a Used Car?

Shopping for a pre-owned Toyota near Albuquerque? Many buyers want to know what is considered good mileage for a used car. However, lower mileage doesn’t always mean a better buy!

Although you may have heard that you should avoid used cars with over 100,000 miles, a higher-mileage vehicle can still be a great investment. To get the best possible value, you’ll also want to look out for a used car’s maintenance history, the weather and terrain where it was driven, and how it was used by the previous owner(s). Learn more in the guide below with Toyota of Santa Fe.

How to Shop Smart for a Used Car

When shopping for a used car near Rio Rancho, pay attention to the following factors in addition to mileage:

• Usage – Some driving conditions cause more wear than others. For example, a car driven 75,000 miles in stop-and-go traffic will experience more wear than one driven 75,000 miles on smooth, open highway. Before you buy, be sure to learn all you can about the previous owner’s driving history.
• Location – Dry, warm climates cause less stress for vehicles than cold, wet climates.
• Condition – Mileage alone can’t tell you everything about a car’s true condition. Have a certified technician inspect the vehicle to uncover any lurking mechanical issues or rust that will need to be dealt with, and figure the cost of repairs into your budget.
• Maintenance – A used car’s maintenance history will tell you if the previous owner was up-to-date with all recommended maintenance and service. Spotty service history can indicate costly problems to come.

Choosing a Used Car Based on Mileage

Even if mileage isn’t the most important factor, many used car buyers are looking for a general guideline regardless. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It’s more useful to consider how many miles you want to get out of a used car:

• Does your job require lots of daily driving or frequent long trips? You’ll want to get a lower-mileage used car that can rack up another 50,000 miles or more. For a late-model, low-mileage used car, check out our certified pre-owned inventory. 
• If you need a car for local errands around Espanola and Los Alamos, a well-maintained used car with over 100,000 miles can drive reliably for years to come — and cost you less than 10k.

Find a Used Toyota for Sale in Santa Fe

At Toyota of Santa Fe, we stock used cars at a wide range of price points to fit every budget. So, whether you need a reliable commuter sedan or a family-friendly SUV that can haul your trailer, you’ll find it in our used vehicle inventory! Plus, we make it easy to save on your purchase with our pre-owned vehicle specials. Contact us to schedule your test drive today!