Question of the week: Is age or mileage more important on a used car?
Fri, 17 Jan 2025
Dear Honest John,
"I am looking to buy a used Honda Jazz. I live in London so it needs to be ULEZ compliant. What is more important, the age of the car or the mileage?"
- PH
Dear PH,
When buying a used car, it is important to take mileage, age and condition as equally important factors, as they will all contribute to what the car is worth and its potential lifespan.
As an example, a low-mileage car in poor condition is not necessarily a better buy than a high-mileage one that has been well maintained, although the former may be more expensive to buy. A common piece of advice when buying a used car is 'never buy the first car you see'.
It is important to look at several examples. Comparing different examples will help you judge which cars are good buys and which should be avoided, as well as a better understanding of pricing.
A low-mileage car theoretically has a longer potential lifespan, but if it has not been well maintained then it is possible you are more likely to encounter problems compared to a higher-mileage car that has a good service history.
We would recommend setting a budget first before looking at several examples around this price. Consider each one on its overall merits, taking into account age, mileage, condition and service history and balancing these factors against the purchase price.
