What is a Good Mileage for a Used Car​ in Arizona

Purchasing a pre-owned car in Arizona requires more consideration than just examining the mileage on it. Although mileage is an extremely important aspect of determining a car's life span, Arizona presents a special set of conditions that make it more complicated. The intense sun, dusty roadways, and extreme commutes associated with Arizona just don't put miles on a car the same as they would if it were driven in a more temperate and wet region. 

Whether you're buying a sedan or seeking out reputable Porsche service in Peoria, AZ, it is essential to educate oneself on what constitutes good mileage under these conditions.

As you walk out on the lot at Phoenix and Tucson auto sales, you will be tempted to focus solely on finding the lowest number that shows on an odometer. Many shoppers find themselves asking, what is a good mileage for a used car? A vehicle with very low mileage may not be as big an advantage as it initially seems, especially if it has been sitting untouched under the intense Arizona sun. A healthy amount of mileage on a particular model doesn’t necessarily mean it will soon be unwinding at your local auto repair shop, either.

Factors Affecting Mileage in the Desert

The conditions under which a car has been driven have a huge impact on its health. Arizona is also very well-known for its extreme temperatures, which result in the deterioration of batteries, tires, and air conditioning. A 100,000-mile car that has been driven under moderate conditions may be more road-ready than an 80,000-mile car that has been driven with a heavy amount of start-and-stop traffic in 115-degree temperatures, which would soon wear belts and hoses made out of rubber. 

What is the ideal mileage for a used car? It's important to consider these local factors, as context matters as much as the odometer reading.

Highway driving is also an important area that needs consideration. Arizona is a large state with very expansive highways linking various cities. Highway miles are usually easier on a car engine and transmission compared to city miles. A car that has done more mileage on open highways usually fares better compared to a low-mileage grocery getter that struggles with start-and-stop traffic. 

Asking for information on the usage pattern of a car would be useful information that cannot be reflected on the odometer reading. When evaluating good mileage for a used car, keep in mind that highway miles, especially in Arizona, may actually indicate better long-term reliability than primarily city-driven vehicles.

Establishing Reasonable Mileage Expectations

The average annual mileage for a given industry will be approximately 12,000-15,000 miles per year. If you are considering a five-year-old model, averaging 60,000-75,000 miles will be perfectly normal. But if you are in Arizona, with a relatively longer commute, you will expect slightly higher readings. When assessing good car mileage for a used car, always factor in local driving conditions as well as maintenance history.

A car averaging less than 12,000 miles per year may sound desirable, but cars were made to be driven. The seals on a car will eventually dry out, and fluids will break down if the car isn’t driven for an extended period of time, especially if it’s been exposed to dry desert air. 

At the opposite end of the scale, averaging 20,000 miles per year is extremely high. It will depend on road miles and service records, but if it’s road miles, and it has been well maintained, it could still be a very good buy. A mileage level below 100,000 miles will almost assuredly be reliable, but cars today will operate well beyond 200,000 miles.

Busting Common Used Car Myths

First and foremost, there is the myth that once an automobile passes 100,000 miles, it is on its final legs. Advances in engineering have made an automobile's lifespan extremely extendable. The truth is that reaching the six-figure mark on an odometer reading marks merely a midlife crisis and not the onset of a vehicular death watch. 

Secondly, there is the myth that all miles are equal. As previously stated, 10,000 miles with a boat in tow, winding up and down the mountains, works an engine much harder than 10,000 miles on I-10.

Making the Final Decision

At the end of the day, locating a reliable pre-owned car within Arizona requires finding a balance based on mileage and the associated background and status of a particular vehicle. It might be less appealing at first because it shows a high mileage reading, and on the flip side, a low mileage reading should make you evaluate its status due to low utilization. Putting more value on checking its status based on its background and records compared to its mileage reading will get you a reliable ride ready for the intense Arizona heat!