Does the age of a vehicle matter?
Asked by: Dr. Jesus Wisozk DVM | Last update: November 17, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (33 votes)
Does the age of the car matter?
While it's a good idea to consider the age of a vehicle and the number on its odometer, it's more important to look at how well the owner maintained the car.
Is it worth keeping a 20 year old car?
Depends on the car. And the history. If it was well maintained, yes. If it is a car model known for lasting a long time, yes. If it is a special, collectible car, yes. But if it is a car known to have issues from the start, no. If it has a lot of deferred maintenance, and is in bad shape, no.
Does age matter when buying a car?
When buying a used car, mileage is an important factor, but age can be a big factor, too. In some cases, it may matter more. The norm for the “average” number of miles per year is 15,000 miles. So a car that is five years old with a mileage of 75,000 miles would be considered average.
Is a car's age or mileage more important?
Ultimately, the decision to prioritize age or mileage depends on a variety of factors, including the car's intended use, budget and personal preferences. If reliability and safety are paramount, a newer car with moderate mileage might be the ideal choice.
What is More Important When Buying a Used Car: Miles or Age?
Is 70,000 miles a lot for a 5 year old car?
So, a car that is five years old would have about 75,000 miles to be considered “average.” Anything significantly more, and a car is considered to be “high mileage.” Anything significantly less, and it's a “low mileage” car.
Do cars get worse mpg as they age?
For example, a study by the University of Michigan found that vehicles over 10 years old consume 33% to 35% more fuel per mile compared to newer vehicles. Another analysis by EPA researchers found that vehicles with damaged engines and exhaust systems could see a 40% efficiency loss.
Is driving 30,000 miles a year bad?
Continuous driving is the ideal state for the longevity (in terms of miles) of a car. 30,000 miles in one year should be better, not worse, than 30,000 miles spaced out over 2-3 years as would be more typical. A modern, reliable car is virtually good as new at 30,000 miles with routine maintenance.
Is 50,000 miles a lot for a 2 year old car?
MIleage vs. Age: A vehicle that is two years old with 50,000 miles on it may be in worse shape than a 7 year old vehicle with 75,000 miles on it if the former vehicle has been neglected and the latter has been driven more in a shorter span of time but well-maintained.
What is the best mileage to buy a used car?
As a general rule, you should assume that the average car owner puts 12,000 miles on a car each year. To determine whether a car has reasonable mileage, you can simply multiply 12,000 by its age. That means good mileage for a car that's 5 years old is 60,000.
At what age do cars lose the most value?
Within the first year, many cars will lose up to 20% of their value. After that, they may lose about 15% more per year until the four-or five-year mark.
What is a good lifespan for a car?
Now, you can expect a standard car to last around 12 years or about 200,000 miles. More advanced vehicles like electric cars can go even longer, up to 300,000 miles. Not too long ago, you could expect a car's lifespan to be around eight years and 150,000 miles.
What percentage of 20 year old cars are still on the road?
How many 20 year old cars are still on the road. About 23% of all passenger cars on the road today are 20 years old or older. The most vehicles on the road today are model years 2015 to 2019 model years, which make up approximately 26% of all vehicles.
What is high mileage for a car?
Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.
Do low mileage cars last longer?
Potential for Longer Lifespan: A car with low mileage often has more life left in it compared to a higher mileage vehicle. This can be appealing to buyers who are looking for a used car that they can drive for several more years without having to worry about major repairs or replacements.
Is mileage or age more important?
If you're looking for a car that you can keep for many years, then it's important to focus on the vehicle's mileage rather than its age. That's because a car with lower mileage is more likely to last longer and require less maintenance than a car with higher mileage.
What mileage is not worth buying?
For the most part, you want to look for low mileage used cars. There's no rule to how many miles on a used car is too much, but by attempting to stick to the 12,000 miles per year rule is a great place to start.
Is it safe to buy a car with over 200000 miles?
Yes, it can be a fair idea to buy a car with 200,000 miles, provided that the vehicle has been well-maintained. While high mileage might be a concern for some buyers, a car's condition and the care it's received throughout its life are far more important indicators of its potential longevity.
What mileage is too high?
So, for an easy way to calculate how many miles on a used car is too much, just multiply its age by 10,000. For example, a five-year-old car would ideally have 50,000 miles or less on its odometer. If a car's mileage is far larger than the average, then you will have to take a deeper look at the car's history.
Is it bad to buy a car with 60,000 miles on it?
So, what is considered high mileage for a used car that is five years old? It should have no more than 60,000 to 75,000 miles on the odometer. If it has more than that, the car has likely gone through a lot of wear and tear in a short amount of time, and may not last much longer without needing serious repairs.
Is 300k miles too much for a car?
It's possible for some properly maintained, well-built cars to reach 300,000 miles. Typically, a conventional vehicle lasts for 200,000 miles. The average automobile age in the United States has increased over the past several decades.
Does cruise control save gas?
Generally speaking, yes. Cruise control can help you become more fuel-efficient and can help you save an average of 7-14% on gas thanks to its ability to maintain a continuous speed. In comparison, the constant change in acceleration and deceleration of the driver placing their foot over the pedals can eat more gas.
Can old spark plugs cause poor gas mileage?
If spark plugs are misfiring or performing poorly, your gas mileage will be affected. Spark plugs are responsible for sparking engine combustion. They can't do that if they aren't working efficiently. Bad oxygen sensors and air filters can reduce gas mileage by as much as 20%!
Does driving fast increase MPG?
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 mph. It can be assumed that each 5 mph driven over 50 mph is like paying an additional $0.27 per gallon for gas. Observing the speed limit is also safer.