What year used car should I buy?

In retaining “like new” quality and inheriting a slower depreciation rate, the best used car age for buying is 2-3 years. In fact, Americans are saving up to $14,000 on a 3-year-old vehicle. For example, a car that may have cost you $30,000 when new would cost around $16,000 after just 3 years.


Is buying a 10-year-old car worth it?

When buying a used car that's 10-years-old or older, your primary concerns are purchase price and reliability. Don't pay more than that 10-year-old car is worth. And, pick a car with a solid reputation for dependability. No car is really too old if you follow those rules.

Is a 5 year old car too old?

New cars are so reliable that, on average, one could be expected to remain trouble free for years at a time. A five-year-old car may encounter a problem every three years. Even 10-year-old cars would only be expected to have a problem every 18 to 20 months on average.


How many year old car is the best buy?

All in all, the best age to buy a used car is around the 5-year mark, as this minimizes depreciation and maximises reliability for the price you'll pay, meaning you're less likely to have any problems or need to pay any more money for later on which is a common problem with really cheap or much older vehicles.

What is the most reliable 10-year-old used car?

Reliability of small cars aged six to 15 years old
  • Toyota Yaris 2011-2020. 98.5%
  • Suzuki Swift 2010-2017. 97.8%
  • Mazda 2 2007-2015. 96.5%
  • Volkswagen Up 2012-present. 95.4%
  • Audi A1 2010-2018. 95.3%
  • Kia Picanto 2011-2017. 93.5%
  • Dacia Sandero 2013-2020. 93.0%
  • Honda Jazz 2008-2015. 92.9%


How Old Of A Used Car Should You Buy?



Does year matter when buying a used car?

Even when mileage is low, the older a car gets, the less reliable it becomes. Modern cars are much more reliable, even as they age. Five-year-old cars record what is considered a major problem every three years, while 10-year-old cars are more likely to face a problem every 18 to 20 months.

Is 150 000 miles too much for a used car?

As a general rule, most vehicles begin to seriously degrade at around 150,000 miles. It is considered rare, and therefore outstanding longevity, if a car reaches 200,000 miles on the road. That said, there's more to identifying good versus bad mileage on a used car than just the odometer reading.

Is mileage more important than age?

Ultimately, car age and mileage both matter when buying a used car. They both affect the vehicle's depreciation rate and they are both interlinked – mileage is taken as being high or low based on a car's age and the older the car, the more miles it's likely to have driven.


Is 200000 miles on a car OK?

In general, most modern cars can cross 200,000 miles without any major issues, provided the vehicle is being well-maintained. Considering that an average person drives 10,000-20,000 miles per year, this will account for roughly 15 years of service.

How old of a used car is the best deal?

Buy a used car in the 'sweet spot'

The average price of 5-year-old car is $23,110, saving you a bit more than $5,000. Buying a car that is only a few years old, compared to one that is a decade old, has benefits, Reiss says. “It hasn't had the wear and tear on the engine and interior,” she says.

What is better low mileage or age?

If you're looking for a car that you can keep for many years, then it's important to focus on the vehicle's mileage rather than its age. That's because a car with lower mileage is more likely to last longer and require less maintenance than a car with higher mileage.


How do you know when to not buy a used car?

  1. Failing to Line up Financing.
  2. Shop Based on Monthly Payments.
  3. Foregoing the Test Drive.
  4. Not Having the Car Checked.
  5. Initial Negotiations in Person.
  6. Buying Based on Looks.
  7. Not Running a Vehicle History.


What used cars have the least problems?

9 of the most reliable cars
  1. Toyota Corolla (Top-rated compact car) ...
  2. Hyundai Sonata (Top-rated midsize car) ...
  3. Chevrolet Impala (Top-rated large car) ...
  4. Buick Envision (Top-rated compact SUV) ...
  5. Hyundai Sante Fe (Top-rated midsize SUV) ...
  6. Chevrolet Suburban (Top-rated large SUV) ...
  7. Toyota Sienna (Top-rated minivan)


Which used car will last the longest?

Topping that list is the Toyota Sequoia, which has a potential lifespan of 296,509 miles, according to a new study from iSeeCars.com. The automotive research website analyzed more than 2 million cars to determine which last longest and found that 20 models are able to endure for more than 200,000 miles.


What car brands AGE the best?

Among the models with the greatest potential lifespan, Toyota Sequoia topped the list, with the ability to travel nearly 300,000 miles, followed by the Land Cruiser, according to a recent iSeeCars study, which analyzed more than 2 million cars over the past 20 years to see which vehicles could last the longest.

What mileage is good for a used car?

To determine whether a car has reasonable mileage, you can simply multiply 12,000 by its age. That means good mileage for a car that's 5 years old is 60,000. Significantly more or fewer miles could indicate a problem or trouble in the future.

Is buying a 5 year car worth it?

Buying a five–year–old car may be an even better option. You won't get the latest features, but it won't lose so much in value. And you won't be shelling out so much each month on interest to repay a loan. But it's only better value if your mileage is low – under 10,000 miles a year.


How to choose a second hand car?

5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Used Car
  1. 1) Check the Car's Condition:
  2. 2) Maintenance Records:
  3. 3) Check Registration Certificate:
  4. 4) Car Insurance:
  5. 5) Transfer of No Claim Bonus:


How much mileage is too much for a used car?

What is considered high mileage on a car? Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.

At what age should you replace your car?

And buying a used, reliable vehicle that you'll drive for at least five to ten years is typically the best way to save the most money.


What is the 20 for 10 rule for buying a car?

Basically, the rule goes that you provide a down payment of 20% of the balance, sign a loan for a four-year period, and pay no more than 10% of your monthly income on car expenses. These expenses include any money you put towards your new vehicle, including gas, insurance, and loan payments.

Should you buy a 15 year old a car?

While most kids would love to get a car with a big red bow on it for their 16th birthday, that may not be the best way to go. Kathy Bernstein, senior manager of teen driving initiatives at the National Safety Council, says teens should not have their own cars.

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

The average ten-year-old car should have around 120,000 miles on the odometer, anything significantly more or less could indicate trouble brewing.


Can a car last 500 000 miles?

Depending on how well you treat your car, you could potentially reach over 500,000 miles. In fact, there's a driver whose car reached even more than that.

Can a car last 300 000 miles?

A conventional car can last for 200,000 miles. Some well-maintained car models will reach 300,000 or more miles total. The average passenger car age is currently around 12 years in the United States. Choosing a well-built make and model can help extend your car's longevity.