Is it good to buy a 5 year old car?

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 miles is too much for a 5-year-old car?

For instance, a five year old car should have 60,000 or less miles on it. At a Glance: Car owners drive around 12,000 per year on average, which is a good rule of thumb for deciding how many miles a used car should have. For example, if the car is 5 years old, it should have 60,000 miles or less.

What is the best age of a used car to buy?

What's the “Sweet Spot” for Used Car Age? 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.


How many miles should a 5-year-old car have?

In general, the average mileage on a car is assumed to be between 12,000 and 15,000 miles per year, according to AARP. That means you can expect a 5-year-old car to have between 60,000 and 70,000 miles on the odometer.

What is the most reliable 5-year-old car?

Most Reliable Brands for 5-Year-Old Vehicles
  • LEXUS. ...
  • TOYOTA. ...
  • ACURA. ...
  • INFINITI. ...
  • MERCEDES-BENZ. ...
  • NISSAN. ...
  • BUICK. ...
  • MAZDA.


How Old Of A Used Car Should You Buy?



At what age do cars become unreliable?

Reliability fades with 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. Once a car is 20 years old, replacement parts will become harder to find and likely much more expensive.

Which car has the least problems?

The report found that Lexus and Toyota make the most reliable cars, while Jeep and Mercedes-Benz make the ones you can depend on least. But those rankings reflect an average of all the cars each manufacturer builds.

What mileage is too high 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.


Which is more important age or mileage?

While it's a good idea to consider the age of a vehicle and the number on its odometer, it's more important to look at how well the owner maintained the car. A 10-year-old car with 100,000 miles may have received more TLC than a five-year-old model with 50,000 miles.

Which brand of cars 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.

How many years old should you buy a car?

Buy a used car in the 'sweet spot'

“I think the sweet spot [for used cars] is 3-to-4 years old with 30,000 to 40,000 miles on it,” Reiss says.


Does it matter the age of a car?

Age is also an important factor to consider when buying a used car. Just like people, cars get old and start to show signs of wear and tear. Older cars are prone to having more repairs and may not meet the standards of new cars. Also, the value of a car decreases as it gets older.

How many years should I keep my car?

If you drive a new car for 8-10 years, you will have maximized its value while also minimized any safety risks that tend to appear due to age. I assume an average annual mileage of 12,000. Of course, if you don't drive much, you can easily extend your car ownership period.

How many miles is healthy for a car?

Typically, putting 13,000 to 14,000 miles on your car per year is viewed as “average.” A car that is driven more than that is considered high-mileage. With proper maintenance, cars can have a life expectancy of about 200,000 miles.


Does car age affect mileage?

This topic has been discussed a lot, but most experts don't believe that age will affect fuel efficiency. Sure, a car made in 1999 will probably not get the same mpgs as a car in 2019, but that has less to do with the age and more to do with the way the car was made.

What happens if a car sits for 5 years?

I will say that sometimes, 5-6 years of sitting (especially in a covered garage) is not that bad. Rust will form on any car that sits long enough, but sometimes you get lucky and it's just surface rust or exterior rust that doesn't affect safety.

How many miles should a 6 year old car have?

A car that is six years old should have around 90,000 miles.


Should I buy a car now or wait until 2023?

Americans planning to shop for a new car in 2023 might find slightly better prices than during the past two years, though auto industry analysts say it is likely better to wait until the fall. Since mid-2021, car buyers have been frustrated by rising prices, skimpy selection and long waits for deliveries.

Is buying an old car with low miles a good idea?

Unusually Low Miles are OK

Generally speaking, it's a great decision to buy low-mileage used cars, even if the mileage seems unusually low.

Is it better to buy a newer car with more miles or an older car with less miles?

In general, buying a higher mileage newer is better than buying an older car with less miles. The reason for this is simple: parts in a car, especially the rubber components deteriorate over time, regardless of mileage.


Is it OK to buy a used car with high mileage?

High Mileage Used Cars Can Be a Great Choice for Your Budget

If you're looking at used cars, know that cars with high mileage can still be dependable. A lot of times these cars are in great working condition from reliable manufacturers and may need a few parts replaced or scheduled maintenance.

Does mileage matter when buying a used car?

A car's mileage matters because the number of miles you see on the odometer is a smart way of determining the price of a used car. It tells you the amount of wear the car has sustained over the years; if a car has higher mileage, it will cost more than a car with low mileage.

What is the cheapest good quality car?

Best Affordable Cars for 2023
  • 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The best affordable small car. See at TrueCar.
  • 2021 Toyota Camry. The best affordable midsize car. ...
  • 2021 Dodge Charger. The best affordable full-size car. ...
  • 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid. The best affordable hybrid car. ...
  • 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The best affordable electric car.