Quick Facts About Buying Older, Used Vehicles
- Many dealerships take trades on high-mileage vehicles.
- In a recent research report, the average mileage of used cars sold was about 70,300.
- Vehicles priced under $15,000 are the most difficult used cars to find.
When shopping for a used car, you may find a few surprises that will leave you scratching your head.
Americans drive their cars longer than ever. The average age of vehicles on the road today is about 12.5 years old. With the inventory of used cars still experiencing tighter-than-usual conditions and the average used car listing at $25,500 at the end of 2024, you’ll want to know what factors you need to weigh when considering such a purchase.
It’s also important to understand how mileage, age, and condition determine the car’s Kelley Blue Book value when looking for a used vehicle.
Read on to find out what to consider when buying a used or older vehicle. We’ll also tell you about the easiest cars to find in this market as you navigate these choppy conditions.
What to Know About Buying a Used Car
These days, some dealerships will take high-mileage vehicles with upwards of 150,000 miles driven. Also, many manufacturers started certifying pre-owned cars with higher mileage. Tighter-than-usual inventory means cars once bound for auctions and buy here, pay here lots now land in the franchised dealership lot.
When considering a used car, you’ll likely encounter two scenarios, and these can actually happen.
Scenario 1: Let’s say your family needs a second or third vehicle, and you come across an unbelievably low-mileage cream puff. The car looks nearly new, with only 60,000 miles on the odometer, but the SUV is 10 years old. The price is right. You feel like you won the lottery. But you wonder what issues might later materialize because of the vehicle’s age.
Scenario 2: Maybe you’re shopping for a used vehicle offering the latest technology, like adaptive cruise control and cameras that provide a 360-degree view of the surroundings. You can’t afford a 2-year-old model with average miles, but the dealer offers up the car of your dreams that’s thousands less. Still, there’s one problem: This 2-year-old model comes with 100,000 miles. Should you steer clear?
Check for Recalls and Get a Vehicle History Report
Next, you’ll need to do these two things first to help you decide on either of these cars.
- Research the car model and check for excessive recalls. Head to the internet and research that model’s history. Check for recalls to see if the model experiences any repetitive problems, such as serious (and expensive) issues with the transmission, power steering, electrical system, and engine. For example, replacing the engine’s timing belt can run $1,000 to $1,125. Timing chains, different than a timing belt, cost more and are not uncommon issues in higher-mileage cars. Costs run at least $2,016 to $2,200. Timing chain issues can arise if the vehicle owner doesn’t change the oil regularly.
- Get a vehicle history report. Knowing a car’s history is vital. Ask the car’s owner or dealer to show you data that includes accident history, the vehicle’s repairs, maintenance schedule, recalls, and, in some cases, even oil changes. AutoCheck and Carfax are excellent sources for this information. When buying a used car from an individual, you can purchase a vehicle history report for between $30 (AutoCheck) and $45 (Carfax) for a single report. Generally, a well-maintained vehicle offers a longer, potentially trouble-free future than an ignored vehicle.
If buying a used car, it’s best to consider vehicles maintained according to the owner’s manual. So, in the case of Scenario 2, that high-mileage car could be a good buy.
RELATED: Best Used Cars
Is a 10-Year-Old Car Too Old to Buy?
Not necessarily if you do a thorough inspection with a certified mechanic, the car shows no signs of rust, its vehicle history shows no major accidents, and it was well-cared for over time. Here’s what else you need to know.
An older car, such as the 10-year-old model in Scenario 1, has components that rust over a longer period. Make sure to inspect the underside of vehicles, especially in states that use salt to melt snow and in hurricane and flood-prone areas.
Before purchasing, you’ll want to know if the brake lines and suspension systems work safely. In addition, if the vehicle owner doesn’t follow regular maintenance protocols, shock absorbers, brake rotors and pads, tires, and other components will likely need to be replaced. If the tires look old, they could have dry rot, essentially cracking that makes them dangerous due to age.
Other susceptible age-related components include the radiator and heater core. For example, the heater core might get weak and suddenly blow out. Well, you fix the heater core, and the radiator might fail because, suddenly, you’re pressurizing the system back up to specifications.
RELATED: Car Warranty Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Freeway Miles vs. Quick Trips
A high-mileage vehicle used chiefly for commuting with many freeway miles may be in much better shape than one used primarily for quick trips back and forth to the grocery store. There are several reasons for this, says mechanic Gary Hardesty, a master auto technician with Cox Automotive, the parent company of Kelley Blue Book.
“Short trips put more stress on the starter and engine components by constantly being used in short trips, where a long commute may only start a vehicle twice a day,” Hardesty said.
“Also, if an engine isn’t brought up to normal temperatures, the oil can become contaminated quickly as a normal operating temperature allows moisture and contaminants like unburned fuel to be drawn into the combustion chamber and burned off as a normal operation. These contaminants, not removed by longer drives and regular oil changes, risk causing major engine problems like sludge buildup.”
Hardesty recommends getting the vehicle inspected by a certified mechanic before purchasing.
“A quick way to see if a vehicle has rust is to open the hood and look at the shock tower bolts and components under the hood, as they are exposed to the same salt as the undercarriage,” Hardesty said. “Most manufacturers offer a corrosion guarantee for the unibody with some type of corrosion inhibitor. This is not true for most components like fasteners and such.”
How Much Does It Cost for a Used Car Inspection?
One way to take the hassle out of getting a used vehicle inspected is with Alliance Inspection Management (AiM), which is designed for buyers and sellers. AiM, a unit of Cox Automotive, evaluates more than 13 million used cars annually. AiMCertify technicians can check the condition of any car or truck in the U.S. before you buy a used vehicle.
The mechanic will meet you at a dealership or wherever you need them for the inspection, which costs between $149 and $399. The experts can inspect cars manufactured in 1981 and later, though there’s a package for classic cars made before then for $199. Many of the packages also include an AutoCheck vehicle history report.
Consider buying a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle if you need more reassurance. Read our story on buying certified pre-owned cars to learn more about these types of vehicles.
Buying a Used Car Now
If you want to buy a used car, be prepared to potentially pay more. According to a Cox Automotive analysis of vAuto data, used car shoppers paid an average of $25,500 on used vehicles at the end of 2024. That’s about $1,000 less than last year. The report also found that the average mileage of used cars sold was about 70,300. Still, inventories are tight as prices fall. Kelley Blue Book analysts expect used car prices to remain generally high for several years.
Carmakers built about 8 million fewer cars during the COVID-19 pandemic and fewer consumers leased vehicles. That means you can expect used car inventories could remain low for years as those cars never find their way to the used market. That will keep prices higher than usual.
Used Car Lots Remain Lean on Inventory
Used car lots bulked up throughout 2024, but inventory remains lean. Even if you make compromises, you might find a used car you like. Here’s more of what the report found and what you can expect:
- Affordability is challenging.
- A seasonal surge of used
- By price category, the lower the price, the lower the supply.
- The most difficult used cars to find are priced under $15,000.
- You can find a decent supply of cars priced above $35,000.
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Editor’s Note: This article has been updated for accuracy since it was originally published.