Is Mileage Really the Most Important Thing When Buying a Used Car? From Ken's Desk

One of the first questions almost every used-car shopper asks is:

“How many miles does it have?”

Mileage matters. There's no question about that.

But after decades of buying, selling, and servicing used vehicles, I've learned that mileage by itself doesn't tell you whether you're looking at a good vehicle.

In fact, given the choice between a well-maintained vehicle with somewhat higher mileage and a lower-mileage vehicle that hasn't been properly cared for, I'll often be more interested in the higher-mileage vehicle.

Here's why.

Not All Miles Are Equal

Consider two vehicles that each have 75,000 miles.

One may have accumulated those miles primarily during long highway trips, received regular oil changes, been serviced when needed, and spent its life with an owner who took care of it.

The other may have spent years making short trips, sitting outside, missing maintenance, and being driven hard.

The odometers may show exactly the same mileage.

The vehicles themselves can tell two completely different stories.

That's why mileage is something we consider when evaluating a used vehicle—but it's never the only thing we consider.

Maintenance History Can Matter More

One of the things I like to see when evaluating a used vehicle is evidence that someone cared about it.

Regular oil changes matter.

So do transmission services, cooling-system maintenance, brake service, tire replacement, and manufacturer-recommended maintenance.

A vehicle with 90,000 miles and a strong maintenance history can sometimes be a much better choice than one with 55,000 miles and little evidence that it was properly maintained.

Unfortunately, maintenance records aren't always complete. That's when the actual condition of the vehicle becomes even more important.

Age Matters Too

Here's something buyers sometimes overlook.

Low mileage doesn't stop a vehicle from aging.

Rubber components deteriorate. Batteries age. Tires can become old even when they still have plenty of tread. Fluids deteriorate. Seals can dry out. Corrosion can develop.

A ten-year-old vehicle with only 25,000 miles might sound wonderful—and it might be.

But I wouldn't assume it's a better vehicle simply because the odometer has a small number on it.

I'd want to know why the mileage is so low and how the vehicle was stored and maintained.

Condition Tells Us a Lot

When we're considering a vehicle for Lebanon Auto Sales, we're looking at the complete vehicle.

How does it drive?

How does it shift?

How do the brakes feel?

What condition are the tires in?

Does the interior look like someone cared for it?

Are there signs of previous damage or questionable repairs?

What does the underside look like?

Are there mechanical issues that need attention?

Those things help tell the story that an odometer can't.

So, How Many Miles Is Too Many?

I wish there were a simple number.

There isn't.

I wouldn't automatically reject a vehicle because it has 100,000 miles, just as I wouldn't automatically recommend one because it has only 30,000.

Make, model, engine, maintenance, previous use, age, condition, and price all matter.

The better question isn't:

“Does this vehicle have too many miles?”

It's:

“Considering its mileage, age, maintenance history, condition, and price—is this a good vehicle?”

That's a much more useful question.

Don't Buy the Odometer—Buy the Vehicle

Mileage should absolutely be part of your used-car buying decision.

Just don't let it make the entire decision for you.

Look at maintenance. Look at condition. Look at history. Drive the vehicle. Ask questions. And have it properly evaluated.

Sometimes a higher-mileage vehicle that's been well cared for can be an excellent value.

Sometimes an unusually low-mileage vehicle isn't the bargain it appears to be.

The number on the odometer is important. The story behind that number is even more important.

That's the kind of distinction experience teaches you—and it's exactly what we consider when deciding which vehicles earn a place on our lot at Lebanon Auto Sales.

Our goal isn't simply to sell you a vehicle.

It's to help you make a smarter automotive decision.

About the Author

Ken Ebersole is President of Lebanon Auto Sales and has spent decades in the automotive business buying, selling, and servicing used vehicles. Through From Ken's Desk, he shares practical advice designed to help Central Pennsylvania drivers make smarter automotive decisions.Overfuel's intuitive content editor makes it easy to build beautiful, professional-looking content in minutes:

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