You may already know that mileage, age, and condition all factor into used car value, but you might still find a few surprises when shopping for a used car today — especially if you haven’t been in the market for a while.
- The average used car listing sits at nearly $26,000 as of late 2025.
- The average vehicle on the road today is about 12.8 years old.
- Many manufacturers have started certifying pre-owned cars with higher mileage.
- Some dealerships accept trade-ins of high-mileage vehicles with over 150,000 miles on the odometer.
Common Situations
Here are two scenarios:
- You find a 10-year-old SUV with only 60,000 miles that looks nearly new and is priced right, but you worry about what age-related problems might be hiding beneath the surface.
- You’re tempted by a 2-year-old, high-tech car that’s thousands cheaper than average, but its 100,000 miles make you question whether it’s a smart buy.
In both cases, look beyond the model year and the odometer. Instead, focus on condition, maintenance, and use history.
For most used car shoppers, the goal is to find a model in good condition that strikes a balance between age, mileage, price, and features. This guidance also applies when you’re shopping for older and higher-mileage used cars.
Check for Recalls and Get a Vehicle History Report
Research the car model and check for open recalls. Looking into the vehicle’s history can reveal recurring problems, such as transmission issues or persistent electrical faults. Before you buy, get a vehicle history report. Ask the car’s seller to show you a report that includes accident history, the vehicle’s repairs, maintenance schedule, recalls, and, in some cases, even oil changes. AutoCheck and Carfax are excellent sources for this information. When buying a used car from an individual, you can purchase a vehicle history report yourself, typically around $30 (AutoCheck) and $45 (Carfax) for a single report.
Inspect the Vehicle
Before purchasing a used vehicle, always inspect it. Cars that are over 10 years old could be in excellent condition. A thorough inspection by a certified mechanic might reveal how well the previous owner cared for it. Services such as Alliance Inspection Management (AiM) Certify can send professional technicians to meet you at a dealership or another location for the inspection. Many of the packages also include an AutoCheck vehicle history report, a crucial component of used car shopping.
If you decide to inspect the vehicle on your own, here are some things you may want to check for:
- Signs of rust: Inspect the exterior and interior of the vehicle for rust. Check the underside, especially in states that use salt in snowy seasons and in hurricane and flood-prone areas.
- Radiator and heater core: Verify that the radiator and heater core have been properly maintained. A poorly maintained heater core may fail suddenly. Also, if the heater core has been replaced, it may later reveal weaknesses in the radiator, causing it to fail.
- Tires: Old tires could have dry rot, making them dangerous.
If the previous owner didn’t follow regular maintenance schedules, components like shock absorbers, brake pads and rotors, belts, and other wear items may need replacement soon.
If you need more reassurance, consider buying a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle, which often comes with a warranty and an extensive inspection.
Freeway Miles vs. Quick Trips
A high-mileage vehicle used for long highway commutes may be in better condition than a low-mileage car mainly used for short trips. Short trips put more stress on the starter, battery, and engine components.
Buying a Used Car Now
Used car shoppers are in a tough market, but it isn’t a crisis. Carmakers produced about eight million fewer cars than normal during the COVID-19 pandemic, and fewer consumers leased vehicles, resulting in today’s high demand and low supply situation for quality used vehicles. The used car market is starting to stabilize, and prices are expected to ease in the coming years. The most accessible used cars are priced between $15,000 and $30,000.
Editor’s Note: We have updated this article since its initial publication. Renee Valdes contributed to the report.
