What to Look for When Buying a Used Car

Buying a used car model is a great option for car shoppers on a budget. With a little know-how, research, and persistence, finding a recent-year, reliable ride for far less than its list price is easier than you may think. In this guide, you'll learn some of the most important things to ask before buying a used car.

If you're a used car shopper in the Denver, Centennial, and Aurora areas, keep the following tips from Mile High Honda in mind as you start your search for a used vehicle. Keep your eyes peeled for:

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A Price Tag within Your Budget

How much should you expect to pay for the used vehicle model you're interested in? Look up the make and model on a reputable auto site such as KBB.com or Cars.com. These sites allow you to enter the make and model you're after and get a feel for how much it might cost.

Prices of course are going to vary from model to model based on the condition and mileage, but you can use this number to gauge the average cost and find out if it's within your budget.

Used Car Mileage vs. Age

Unfortunately, there's no magic mileage number to look for during your search for a used car since so many factors come into play (condition, age, etc.). But there areguidelines you can follow in respect to these factors. The broadest of all being the less mileage, the better.

The average mileage a daily driver is driven per year is somewhere around 12,000 to 15,000 miles. If you're considering a car that's three years old, in general 45,000 miles on the odometer or less is what you're looking for. You can use this formula to determine whether the odometer reading is average or over.

The older the car is, the cheaper it will be, but be wary of buying cars that well over 100,000 miles, as they likely don't have too many years of driving left.

A Detailed Vehicle History Report

How do you know the vehicle you're considering really only has 30,000 miles on it? Check its vehicle history report. No report? No purchase. A vehicle history report is a used car buyer's bible. Without it, it's difficult to piece together where the model you're interested in has been and if it can fit your needs.

Reports are accessible online with the two most popular providers being CARFAX and AutoCheck. The corresponding report for your model should list accident history, number of previous owners, official mileage numbers, information about recent inspections, and the car's 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN).

Where Is There A Used Car Dealership near Me?

Seeking a used car from a dealership is a great way to see a variety of models from different makes all in one place. Plus retail blue book approved pricing and a vehicle history report are often already included.

Local used car seekers can check out Mile High Honda's comprehensive used car inventory to get started! Search by mileage, year, make, and model and be sure to check out our certified pre-owned Hondas. View each car's CARFAX report and even confirm availability right from the listing. Get in touch with our Denver used car dealership for any questions at 855-532-0303. Good luck with your search!