Whether you're interested in buying a used car or trading in the one you're currently driving, this is quite an important question. This number helps to determine how long the vehicle you end up choosing is likely to last, as well as how much the car you're trying to sell is worth.
If you live or work near Florence, Cullman, or Huntsville, Alabama, the experts here at Century Automotive have put together the following guide for you to show what some of the best practices are in this regard.
By the Numbers
While what's on the odometer doesn't tell the whole story, it helps. For instance, because the average number of miles a typical automobile drives in one year commonly ranges from 10,000 miles to 15,000 miles, you know that a car that has accumulated 124,000 miles in a 5-year period likely has a lot of wear and tear.
The Importance of Regular Maintenance
Generally speaking, a car that has 100,000 miles on it is considered to have less value than one with just 20,000 miles. However, if the car with 100,000 miles has been properly maintained, and the one with fewer miles has been neglected, this is not necessarily the case. That's why it's important that any vehicle receives regular maintenance.
Vital Maintenance Items
There are specific areas that need to be watched to ensure your car stays healthy for several years. A few of these are listed for you below:
- Regular oil changes
- Brake maintenance
- Tire care
How often you should change your oil depends on the kind of oil that's running through your engine. An older car that uses conventional oil should have it changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. The synthetic oil found in newer cars can go around 6,000 to 7,500 miles before needing to be changed. Brakes have a lifespan of anywhere between 25,000 and 70,000 miles. Tires can last between five and ten years.
We Buy Used Cars
Whether you originally bought it from us or not, we'll be happy to buy your current set of wheels. Selling your car to us means that you're going to get a fair deal according to what it's worth. On top of that, you're not going to have to worry about posting an ad announcing that the vehicle is for sale or showing it to prospective buyers. Instead, your primary focus will be on browsing through your choices for what you'll be driving next.
That's where our team really shines. You can count on us to provide you with all kinds of support throughout the entire car-buying process.
Schedule a Test Drive with Us Today
Now that you better understand how many miles a used car should have, you're even closer to finding your next pre-owned motor vehicle. Century Automotive would like to help. We're dedicated to assisting our neighbors near Huntsville, Florence, and Cullman, AL, when it comes to tracking down the car that best suits their lifestyle needs.
If you're ready to get started, the next thing for you to do is contact a member of our team at your earliest convenience. They'll set you up with a good day and time to take a test drive.