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 isn’t really a hard-and-fast rule here. You have to really scrutinize the car that you’re considering purchasing. Look at the maintenance and repair records to see whether it’s been well maintained,” says Gabe Shenhar, associate director of Consumer Reports’ auto test program. “But if the mileage is unusually low, you want to really look it over because you don’t want a car that’s been sitting for a long time.”
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.