Smart Spending: Low-Mileage Pre-Owned Vehicles

When you’re in the market for a used vehicle, one of the most important factors to consider is how much mileage it has. Generally speaking, the more mileage it has, the more likely it is to need auto repair services or replacements sooner than if the car had no or low mileage. At Preferred Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Grand Haven - just an easy 30-minute drive from Hudsonville - we have a wide selection of low-mileage pre-owned vehicles for you to look at. 

In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about the value of investing in a used vehicle with low mileage:

How Many Miles Should a Used Car Have? 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer for how many miles a used car should have, as it is completely dependent on its age. As a general rule of thumb for determining whether or not a car has the right mileage for its age, multiply its age by 12,000. For example, a used car that’s six years old should have around 72,000 miles on it (12,000 x 6 = 72,000). 

But why 12,000? In most cases, this is the total amount of miles that the average driver drives in a year. As such, it’s used as a baseline number when calculating preferred mileage on a pre-owned vehicle. 

However, with remote work becoming so popular, used cars may have fewer miles on them than they normally would have even five years ago. So, use this as a point of reference rather than a hard and fast rule when trying to determine how many miles a used car should have. 

Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Mileage on a Used Car? 

Whereas too little mileage on a car is usually nothing to worry about, too much mileage is. Generally speaking, used cars with a minimum of 100,000 miles are usually considered to have too much mileage on them. 

Going back to the 12,000 miles driven rule, a car that has at least 100,000 miles on it is going to be between 8-10 years old. Ten years is a long time in car years, so it’s going to need repair services beyond steering alignments, new brake pads and rotors, oil changes, fluid flushes, and more. 

Benefits of Investing in a Low-Mileage Pre-Owned Vehicle

If you reside in or around the Ludington or Holland areas and are interested in buying a pre-owned vehicle, here are a few of the benefits you can expect from doing so: 

Fewer Expenses During the First Few Years of Owning Your Vehicle

Because used cars and trucks with low mileage don’t typically require immediate auto repairs, you save money during the first couple of years of owning your vehicle. 

This means more money in your pocket to cover other expenses, like insurance or monthly utilities. 

You May Qualify for Financing More Easily

Another benefit of buying a used vehicle with low mileage is that you’re also more likely to get approved for financing. Brand-new vehicles are quite expensive. Though used cars can also cost you a few thousand dollars, they’re way less costly than their newer counterparts. 

It’s easier to be approved for financing when applying for a lower amount of money because, to financing companies, there’s not as much risk involved if your credit is in a less-than-ideal shape. 

Lower Monthly Insurance Costs

In addition to getting pre-approved for financing more easily, you’ll also be able to enjoy lower monthly insurance rates as you cruise around Coopersville. This is because it’s harder to prove the value of a used vehicle than it is a brand-new one. That’s good news for you - and of course, more money in your pocket!

These aren’t the only ways that buying a low-mileage used vehicle is to your benefit, but they are some of the top ones that residents of Northern Shores and the Great Lakes often enjoy. 

Visit Preferred Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Grand Haven for a Huge Selection of Low-Mileage Used Vehicles 

At Preferred Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Grand Haven, we are much more than our slogan of “We Buy Cars.” Here, we aim to provide the highest level of knowledge and customer service to every resident of Western Michigan who comes in to browse our wide selection of low-mileage used vehicles. 

Whether you’ve got your eye on a truck, car, or SUV, our team can help you find a low-mileage vehicle at a great rate. We can also help you secure financing through our secure finance application. Visit us today at 810 Robbins Road, Grand Haven, MI 49417. We look forward to seeing you soon!