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How many miles on a used car is too much?
I’m on a budget and I’m looking to buy a used car, but I want to make sure that I’m not buying something that won’t last. I know mileage is really important in choosing a used car. How many miles is considered too much?
Chloe Jenkins · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
It’s very smart to consider the mileage of a
used car
before you buy it. Although there’s no exact science or math on how many miles on a car is too much, a good rule of thumb is to multiply the age of the car by 12,000.For example, if the car is 10 years old, you can expect the car to have around 120,000 miles on it. On average, a typical car owner puts about 12,000 miles on a car each year, so any vehicle you look at that has a number of miles significantly greater or lesser than the average may indicate some issue with the car or with the dealer.
Checking a car’s history report can give you a good idea of whether the number you’re seeing on the odometer is accurate. If the number you see is accurate, but very low or very high, you may want to have a mechanic inspect the vehicle for you. The mileage on the vehicle is not an exact indication of the vehicle’s condition, and a car with dramatically higher mileage may have just been very
well maintained
and could last you for years to come. However, it’s always good to check with your mechanic first.Once you find the right car for you, you should take a look at your
car insurance
options—getting a new car might be a reason to either increase or lower your coverage level. If you want to make sure you’re still getting the best deal on the coverage you need, check out the Jerry
app. We’ll get you customized quotes from top providers in seconds, so that all you need to do is pick the plan that works best for you. And once you pick one, we’ll even help you switch over!Happy shopping!
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- Gregory R.
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