Quick Facts About Used Cars With Low Mileage
- Buying a low-mileage used car is a great decision, but finding one for sale might be challenging.
- Avoid scams by comparing the odometer reading with mileage documented on the vehicle history report, maintenance records, and signs of wear.
- Get a comprehensive inspection and review the maintenance history before making a decision.
One of the first things most people notice when buying a used car is the number of miles on the odometer. It’s typically a general rule of thumb to go for the vehicle with the lowest number of miles on it.
The more miles a car has, the more likely it is to need repairs and maintenance. On the other hand, what about a used car with unusually low miles? Can having much less than average miles lead to problems down the road?
Finding a 5-year-old car with only a few thousand miles on it can raise concerns since this is extremely low mileage for an older vehicle car. The lack of driving could mean reliability issues for you, but is that always the case? We have the answers to questions about low-mileage used cars.
- Unusually Low Miles Are OK
- How to Avoid Low Mileage Scams
- Carefully Examine the Odometer
- Get the Opinion of a Mechanic
- Risks of Buying a Used Car With Low Mileage
Unusually Low Miles Are OK
Generally speaking, buying used cars with low mileage is a great decision, even if the mileage seems unusually low. However, today’s used car market is tight. Many owners are driving their vehicles longer, and as a result, finding a 5-year-old car with a few thousand miles on it can be challenging.
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If you do find one at a dealership or through a private seller, you should consider yourself lucky.
It is unlikely that you will run into reliability issues down the road because of the low mileage. With that said, we have a few tips to ensure that your low-mileage find doesn’t become a major headache.
Pros of Buying a Used Car With Low Mileage
- Minimal Wear and Tear: Cars with lower mileage were usually driven less often, which means there would be less wear and tear on parts like the tires, brakes, and interior finishes.
- Warranty Coverage: Cars with low mileage that still fall within the time limitations may still be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty (for example, three years/36,000 miles). The automaker will be responsible for the repairs if any major parts or systems fail within the coverage period.
- Lifespan: A car with low mileage still has lots of life left to drive. As long as you keep up with regular service and maintenance and follow up on all recalls, you can enjoy the car for many years to come.
Cons of Buying a Used Car With Low Mileage
- Price: Used cars with lower mileage will be priced notably higher. When you compare the cost to that of a new car, buying new may be worth it — especially since you’ll be the vehicle’s first owner.
- Depreciation: The value of a newer used car with fewer miles may still be dropping. You still risk paying significantly more for the car than it will be worth in the next year or two.
- Maintenance Requirements: The original owner might not have kept up with scheduled maintenance if they didn’t use the car regularly. Some maintenance items have a time element and are not solely dependent on mileage. Situations like that would leave you, as the new owner, to catch up.
MORE:Buying a New Car Could Be Cheaper Than Buying Used
How to Avoid Low-Mileage Scams
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you should always compare the reading on the odometer with what’s listed on the title. While most used cars with lower mileage are legitimately listed, always contact your state’s enforcement agency if something looks suspicious. Here are a few tips to avoid low-mileage scams.
- Make sure the reading on the odometer lines up with what the car’s maintenance history shows. Ask questions about any discrepancies.
- Look for oil change stickers on the windshield or door frame and review the mileage listed.
- If the vehicle has less than 20,000 miles on it, check and see if it still has the original tires.
- Examine the wear and tear and determine if it’s consistent with the number of miles showing on the odometer.
Carefully Examine the Odometer
NHTSA estimates that over 450,000 vehicles sold each year have falsified odometer readings. Before purchasing the car, we strongly suggest making sure that the given odometer reading is correct. As car technology advances, tampering with the odometer has become easier than ever. While there is no sure way to prove that the odometer has been tampered with, we can suggest a few tools to help you.
One of the most efficient ways to check is by obtaining a vehicle history report from a well-known company like AutoCheck or Carfax. When you get a history report for a vehicle you’re considering, you can usually find out whether the odometer was tampered with.
RELATED:Legalities When Buying a Used Car From a Private Seller
How to Read Vehicle History Reports
Most automobile history reports will show the progression of vehicle mileage throughout a car’s life. You must be aware that car owners do not always report accidents. As a result, those will not be submitted to the vehicle history reporting companies.
However, just because something was not reported doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Checking for physical signs of tampering is another excellent way to protect yourself against this type of scam.
Look for consistent number spacing on documents. Ensure the numbers are readable and not crooked. Also, obtaining oil change records will clearly show the number of miles the car has on it.
Another way you can try to evaluate the accuracy of a car’s odometer reading is by examining the vehicle’s overall condition. A 10,000-mile car should still look pretty new with very few dents or scratches on the exterior, and the interior shouldn’t be very worn.
It is also smart to check out the vehicle’s gas and brake pedals. If they look worn out, the driver likely traveled more than a few thousand miles. If the car looks too beat up for a vehicle with very low miles, it could signal odometer tampering.
Get the Opinion of a Mechanic
After you verify the odometer reading is legit and has not been tampered with, you’ll still want to have the car checked out by a trustworthy mechanic. We recommend this to anybody buying a used car, but there’s an even bigger reason for it here.
If a car has been sitting for a while, various parts could require immediate replacement simply because they’ve dried out over time. A mechanical inspection is the only way to know for sure whether the car you’re considering has any trouble spots. It can also tell you whether it could require big bills in the future.
MORE:What If the Seller Won’t Let You Get a Mechanical Inspection?
How Many Miles on a Used Car Is Too Much?
The lifespan of a car depends on a host of factors, including make, model, age, mileage, driving history, maintenance history, accident history, recalls, and more. A well-maintained older vehicle can still have lots of miles left to drive, even if it has surpassed the 100,000-mile mark. If you’re considering buying a higher-mileage car, review the history report and have it inspected by a qualified mechanic to see if it’s worth buying.
What Is a Good Mileage for a Used Car?
There are no hard and fast rules regarding mileage on a car. Quality is more important than quantity. Any car with 80,000 miles driven mostly on the highway will generally be in better shape than one driven as many miles around the city.
Current estimates from the Federal Highway Administration show the average driver puts about 14,489 miles on their car per year. Use this number as a baseline to estimate how many miles a used vehicle should have on the odometer compared to its age.
What Mileage is Too Low for a Car?
Some insurance companies offer low-mileage discounts to policyholders who drive fewer than 7,500 annual miles, which is about half of what the average driver logs in a year. They figure that less driving means less risk of having an accident.
How about the vehicle’s mechanical health? What can be considered low mileage? Unfortunately, a textbook answer isn’t possible. The number of miles on the odometer isn’t the only consideration. You must also evaluate its maintenance history and the previous owner’s driving habits.
Let’s use an example of two 5-year-old sedans, each with 30,000 miles. One owner is a retiree who makes a few short trips each week for errands around town, and they have the car’s maintenance records. The other vehicle, for whatever reason, sat unused in a garage for the past two years, and the owner is finally selling it.
In this case, the car with regular driving and upkeep is much more likely to be in better condition today and down the road than the one that hasn’t been started for a long time. Automobiles are meant to be driven.
What Are the Risks of Buying a Used Car With Low Mileage?
It’s important to investigate why the car has low mileage. If the vehicle has been sitting inactive for extended periods, you run the risk of moisture accumulation, rust, corrosion, and other mechanical problems. On the other hand, if the car was only used for limited short trips, there’s less risk of these issues occurring. Always have it inspected to confirm before purchase.
How Long Can a Car Sit Without Being Driven?
One reason a car can have unusually low miles is lack of use. Owners can take proper steps to store cars for extended periods, but simple neglect can take a toll on the vehicle. Unfortunately, there isn’t a standard answer regarding how long a vehicle can go without starting it.
The battery will lose its charge after a few weeks of sitting. If the engine isn’t started, fuel and engine fluids will begin to deteriorate after a few months. Moving parts can seize without turning for long stretches. Those examples are noticeable because they can prevent a car from running. If the low-mileage used car you’re shopping for does start, be sure to inspect the rubber. Tires should be replaced five and six years from their date of manufacture.
Read Related Articles:
- Buying a Used Car: Does Mileage Matter?
- What Is a Battery Tender?
- Buying a Used Car: Why Are Highway Miles Better?
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since its initial publication. Austin Morris contributed to the report.
