How many miles is a lot for a 10 year old car?

For a 10-year-old car, 120,000 to 150,000 miles is considered average, based on 12,000-15,000 miles per year; anything significantly over that might be high mileage, but a well-maintained car (especially a Japanese/Korean brand) can go much further, while a car with very low mileage (e.g., 50k) might have issues from sitting, so maintenance history and type of driving (highway vs. city) are crucial factors.


What is high mileage for a 10-year-old car?

The average mileage a car accrues per year is 12,000 miles. Given that number, the average 10-year-old car should have roughly 120,000 miles on the odometer. You can use these numbers to determine if the car you're looking to buy is considered to have high mileage or low mileage for the age of the vehicle.

What is considered low mileage on a 10-year-old vehicle?

A ten-year-old car, therefore, would typically have around 142,630 miles. Understanding this baseline helps you assess whether a car's mileage is high, low, or just right. For example, a 10-year-old vehicle with only 71,315 miles is usually what is considered low mileage on a car and potentially a good deal.


What is the 20/3/8 rule for buying a car?

The 20/3/8 rule is a car-buying guideline from The Money Guy Show, suggesting you put 20% down, finance for no more than 3 years, and keep total monthly car expenses (payment + insurance + gas) to under 8% of your gross income to maintain financial health. This strategy helps you avoid overspending, depreciation, and getting "upside-down" on your loan, ensuring your vehicle supports your budget rather than burdens it.
 

How many miles is too high for a used car?

There's no single "too much" mileage, but generally, over 100,000 miles starts becoming "high mileage," with 200,000 miles often seen as an upper limit for reliability; however, a well-maintained car with 150,000 miles can be better than a neglected one with 50,000, so focus on maintenance history, brand reliability (like Honda/Toyota), and a professional pre-purchase inspection, as major components (timing belts, transmissions) often need attention around 100k-150k miles. 


What is More Important When Buying a Used Car: Miles or Age?



What matters more, mileage or age?

Neither age nor mileage is definitively more important; condition and maintenance history are key, but mileage often indicates mechanical wear while age affects rubber/plastic parts and safety tech. A well-maintained, high-mileage car can beat a neglected low-mileage one, but older cars miss modern safety features, so balance both with a thorough pre-purchase inspection and service records to assess true reliability. 

How many miles should a 2013 car have in 2024?

What Is Considered Good Mileage? For 2024 car shoppers, the commonly accepted average is about 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. Therefore, a five-year-old car with around 60,000 to 75,000 miles is considered average.

What is Dave Ramsey's rule on car buying?

Dave Ramsey's core car buying rule is to pay cash for a reliable used car, avoiding car loans entirely because cars lose value, and ensuring the total value of all your vehicles doesn't exceed half your annual income, emphasizing that things that depreciate shouldn't be financed. He advocates buying what you can afford outright to prevent debt, suggesting you save up and buy a modest, dependable vehicle instead of a new car that rapidly loses value.
 


How much is $35,000 car payment for 72 months?

If you take out a $35,000 new auto loan for a 72-month term at 4.0% interest, then your monthly payment will be $547.58. Although your monthly payments won't change during the term of your loan, the amount applied to principal versus interest will vary based on the amortization schedule.

What is the $20,000 reason to buy a used car?

Get Lower Prices On the Cars You Want

The generally lower prices of used cars are closely related to the first reason to buy a used car. While new cars under $20K are essentially extinct, our used cars under $20K can include many of the models on your wishlist.

What is the best mileage to get rid of a car?

60,000 to 100,000 Miles

If you want to squeeze the most value out of your vehicle, this mileage bracket is probably the best time to sell. While your car may need a couple of expensive repairs to run properly, it shouldn't entirely give up on you if it has been well-maintained.


How many miles on a car is a red flag?

Traditionally, 100,000 miles has been considered a cutoff point for high mileage. Vehicles with over 100,000 miles were once thought to be nearing the end of their life.

Is 70,000 miles a lot for a 10-year-old car?

On the other hand, a 10-year-old car with 70,000 miles on it may be considered low mileage for its age. In general, though, cars with more than 100,000 miles on them are typically considered high mileage.

Which is the most reliable 10-year-old car?

For reliable 10-year-old cars (around 2015 models), look to Toyota (Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Prius) and Honda (Civic, Accord, CR-V) for consistent dependability, with Lexus (ES, RX) offering premium luxury in the same reliable vein, while Mazda (Mazda3, MX-5) also stands out for its blend of fun and longevity, all generally known for lasting well beyond a decade with proper care.
 


What are signs of a well-maintained car?

8 Key Signs Your Car Will Last Longer and Save You Money
  • It Has Regular Maintenance History. ...
  • Tires Are Well-Maintained. ...
  • The Transmission Shifts Are Smooth. ...
  • No Overheating or Exhaust Issues. ...
  • The Brakes Are Responsive. ...
  • It Has Consistent Fuel Efficiency. ...
  • The Engine Performance Is Reliable.


Is it better to buy a used car with low or high mileage?

Low-mileage vehicles usually have less wear on the engine, transmission, suspension, and other components compared to high-mileage vehicles. This often translates to fewer repairs and maintenance issues down the road. Another advantage is that low-mileage used vehicles represent a great value.

How much should I put down for a $30,000 car?

A good down payment on a $30,000 car is $3,000 (10%) for a used car or $6,000 (20%) for a new car, but putting down more reduces interest and loan amounts, with the best choice depending on your budget, credit, and if the car is new or used to avoid being "underwater" (owing more than it's worth). Aim for at least 20% for new and 10% for used to build equity faster and lower monthly costs. 


What is the rule of 20 4 10?

The 20/4/10 rule is a car financing guideline suggesting you make a 20% down payment, finance the car for no more than 4 years (48 months), and keep your total monthly vehicle expenses (payment, insurance, gas, maintenance) to under 10% of your gross monthly income, helping you avoid overspending and staying out of "underwater" car loan situations. 

Is a 60 or 72 month car loan better?

Better interest rate: A 60-month loan will typically have a lower interest rate than a 72-month loan because the risk for lenders isn't as high. (Lenders consider long-term loans to be riskier because the longer it takes to pay off the loan, the more opportunity exists for the loan to not be paid back in full.)

What is the 8% rule when buying a car?

The 20/3/8 rule is a guideline that suggests you put 20% down on a car and repay the loan over three years. Applying the rule correctly will also require your monthly payment and car expenses be 8% or less of your income.


How much should I spend on a car if I make $60,000?

On a $60,000 salary, you can generally afford a car in the $20,000 to $30,000 range, with total monthly car expenses (payment, insurance, gas, maintenance) ideally staying under 15-20% of your take-home pay, which might be around $300-$450 for just the payment, though some say up to 35% of gross income for the total vehicle price. Key factors are your credit score, down payment (aim for 20% to avoid PMI and reduce interest), loan term (shorter is better), and other debts. 

Why Dave Ramsey says not to finance a car?

“Cars, trucks, RVs, boats, and everything that has motors and wheels go down in value,” Ramsey wrote recently. “NEVER finance them, because they go down in value and you get stuck in them. Don't let debt trap you in something that's losing value every day. Save up, pay cash, and own it outright.”

What is considered low mileage on a 10-year-old car?

For a 10-year-old car, low mileage is generally under 120,000 miles, based on the average of 12,000 miles driven per year, but anything significantly below that, like 90,000 miles or less, is excellent, while cars with 70,000 miles or fewer are considered a great find, showing less wear and tear than typical for its age. However, maintenance history and overall condition often matter more than just the number on the odometer, notes this Reddit thread. 


What is the most reliable 2013 car?

For 2013, Toyota, Lexus, and Honda dominated reliability ratings with models like the Lexus ES 350, Toyota RAV4, CR-V, and Accord scoring highest, alongside strong contenders from Scion (xB, xD), Subaru (BRZ), and Hyundai (Elantra), praised by J.D. Power and Consumer Reports for long-term dependability and quality in their respective classes, offering great value for used car buyers.
 

What are the signs of engine wear at high mileage?

Engines in high-mileage vehicles experience gradual wear over time. Piston rings, valve seals, and gaskets can deteriorate, leading to increased oil consumption. If you notice that your car is burning oil between changes or that the oil level drops without visible leaks, it may be a sign of worn internal components.