Pre-owned car shopping has become increasingly popular for a variety of reasons, with many buyers who never pre-owned to consider purchasing pre-owned being forced to do so due to issues like chip shortages and tightening inventory supply. However, many savvy car shoppers simply enjoy the benefits of buying pre-owned — including significant savings. Still, buying pre-owned comes with risks, especially when shopping for models with high mileage.
So, what is good mileage for a pre-owned car, and what’s the odometer number you should steer clear of? With the quality of pre-owned cars continually increasing for the better, it becomes harder to answer that question year after year. While vehicles with 100,000 miles are often considered “high-mileage” models, pre-owned car mileage that is high is not automatically “bad.” Read on to learn more with Mercedes-Benz of Los Angeles, or contact us with additional questions.
The Smart Way to Shop for a Pre-Owned Car
Mileage is far from the only factor to consider when you’re shopping for a quality pre-owned Mercedes-Benz or other pre-owned car in Los Angeles. Here are a number of things to factor into your pre-owned car buying checklist:
- Location: Where was the vehicle located for most of its useful life? In a cold, wet climate? A dry, warm one? These factors will invariably have effects on the vehicle in question, with potential issues like rust, salt damage, and more, coming into play.
- Usage: A car driven 75,000 miles in stop-and-go traffic will usually wear down more quickly than a similar vehicle that has been driven 75,000 miles on the open highway with more coasting and less braking and cornering involved.
- Condition : What kind of condition is the vehicle in, mechanically and aesthetically? Is the paint and body in good shape? Does the interior have stains, rips, or smells? Does the car seem to run well, and has a mechanic verified this? Are there any codes or pending codes being thrown? These are very important issues to consider.
- Maintenance: Check the maintenance history of the vehicle to be sure that it’s been well cared for. The majority of pre-owned cars we have in-stock do offer maintenance histories so you can easily access this information for free!
Choosing a Pre-Owned Car Based on Mileage
It’s difficult to provide a singular answer to the question, “What is good mileage on a pre-owned car?” In fact, the answer for you might be different than someone else. While this may sound wishy-washy or evasive, in truth, it’s not. Here’s why.
Say you are an average driver who travels around 12,000 miles a year or even a retiree on a budget who travels less, and you’re looking to purchase a pre-owned vehicle that’ll get you through the next few years, a “higher mileage” vehicle that’s been well-maintained for less than $10,000 or even $20,000 could be a smart financial purchase. Why? It could have years of serviceable life left while saving you thousands of dollars off the purchase price and monthly payments!
Now, say you’re a businessperson who’s looking for value, but you travel much more than 12,000 miles a year. You want something luxurious and feature-packed for your long trips, but you also want to minimize the frequency you’ll have to bring your vehicle to the shop. In that case, you may be better served with a vehicle that has lower miles, or even a certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz that’s been thoroughly checked over.
Comparing Mileage vs. Age
These factors are other important considerations when purchasing a pre-owned vehicle in Los Angeles from us at Mercedes-Benz of Los Angeles or elsewhere:
- If a vehicle has mileage that’s low enough due to sitting idle for too long, it could be more expensive than a higher-mileage vehicle that’s been consistently well-maintained.
- Cars that have been repaired and have the maintenance history to back it up are always preferred.
- Low-mileage vehicles often cost more than higher-mileage models. So, budget plays a big part in answering this question, “What’s considered good mileage for a pre-owned car?” The answer could change depending on different budgets.
Shop for Reliable Pre-owned Cars Near Beverly Hills
Looking for trustworthy pre-owned vehicles or CPO Mercedes-Benz models for sale around Inglewood or Huntington Park? Mercedes-Benz of Los Angeles has plenty of choices! Give us a call at 213-784-8927 now to inquire about any vehicle you’ve seen and are interested in from our pre-owned inventory. Don’t forget to check out our pre-owned car specials while you’re at it!
