Good Mileage for a Used Car in Michigan

What is good mileage for a used car?

Let’s talk about the used car market in Michigan and mileage. What mileage is good for a used car? To answer that, you need to go deeper than the odometer.

1. Age
2. Make and model
3. Average Lifespan
4. Condition and Maintenance History

Mileage over 100,000 doesn’t mean a car is worthless. True, the more miles, the less a car is worth. After all, it’s closer to the end of its life.

But high mileage is nothing to fear. It’s another tool in your belt that helps you make a good purchase. Our inventory has many used cars with high mileage but in good condition.

Gone are the days when average lifespans were under 100,000 miles. We drive a lot more today, and our cars can take it.

A Wall Street Journal study in 2021 reported that the average age of vehicles in the U.S. was 12.1 years. That’s around 150,000 miles on the odometer before sale or donation. 🛻

Age of the Car

Age make a prominent difference when it comes to sale price. To translate age into mileage, a good rule is an average of 10,000-15,000 miles per year. 

A 2010 Toyota Siena would probably have 156,000 miles. A 2017 Nissan Altima would likely have 80,000 miles. A 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 will be pushing 265,000. 💪

Anything less than that average is great mileage for a well-kept used car and increases the bargain, but also the bidding competition. Higher driving averages diminish value. 

We often see cars from the last generation all the way back to the 60s and 70s at Pontiac Public Auto Auction.

Make and Model

Makes and models make a difference too. Used Toyota's, Honda's, Nissan's, and Ford pick-ups are in much higher demand.

There’s a compelling reason why. Those popular makes and models like the F-150, Camry, and Accord boast great word of mouth and longevity.

iSeeCars.com conducted a study of over 260 million cars sold in the last ten years in order to reveal good mileage for a used car and potential lifespans.

The top five car lifespans were:

1. Toyota Sequoia (potential lifespan: 296,509)
2. Toyota Land Cruiser (potential lifespan: 280,236)
3. Chevrolet Suburban (potential lifespan 265,732)
4. Toyota Tundra (potential lifespan: 256,022)
5. GMC Yukon XL (potential lifespan: 252,360)

The study states, “Vehicle lifespans continue to grow, with more than 20 cars now having a 20 percent or better chance of lasting at least a quarter million miles.” 

Remember that cars are better than they used to be, and buying a car already at 100,000 miles with a good service history may be just what you need, especially when you’re on a budget!

Read more about the best used cars in Michigan here and the best used cars under $5,000.

Condition and Maintenance History

Good mileage for a used car depends greatly on maintenance history. A well maintained 1995 Ford Ranger with 240,000 miles will go farther than a poorly maintained Ford Ranger with a quarter of the miles and only 5-years-old.

Again, don’t skip a used car because of the mileage. Always check the condition and always inspect a car you want to buy.

Our inventory comes with condition reports for all vehicles.

So, How Much Mileage is Good for a Used Car?

Good used car mileage depends on age, manufacturer, expected lifespan, and condition.

200,000 miles is very possible, and often expected, nowadays with careful maintenance. Low mileage can be an indicator of a deal, but it can also be a red flag.

Take in the whole picture before you get excited.

Look for a used car that was well cared for, driven on more open roads rather than lots of city bumps, stops, and idling (harder in downtown Austin), and has fewer than average miles per year. That’s a bigger return on investment.

Pontiac Public Auto Auction is open to the public. Your new (used) ride awaits! 😀

Conclusion

Good mileage for a used car depends on how old, what make and model and expected lifespan, and most importantly, the condition of the car.

Find the sweet spot; lower than average mileage for a car older than 13 years, great condition, and made by a top-rated manufacturer. That’s good mileage for a used car. 🥳