What is a Good Gas Mileage for a Used Truck?
When you’re ready to buy a good, used truck, one of the biggest questions that comes up is mileage. You want a truck that works well and doesn’t need constant fixing due to wear and tear.
That’s why the number of miles on a truck can—to some extent—be a good barometer of the health of the vehicle. But it’s not the whole picture.
The rule of thumb has been the lower the odometer miles, the better. With gas engines, you want a used truck with under 100,000 miles. But today, that’s not always the case.
If you’re looking to buy a diesel, you want under 200,000. But in both cases, you want to strongly consider the truck’s overall condition.
Buying A Used Truck: Check Wear and Tear
The number of miles a truck has indicates a certain amount of wear and tear on the components. That’s just the nature of a machine. You use it and the parts wear.
So, the question is at what point in a truck’s life will those parts begin to break? In the past, the answer was 100,000 miles. But pickup trucks made after 2010 tend to be sturdier, more robust.
These newer truck systems can withstand more wear and tear. What’s more, there are more lights and sensors that alert the driver when something is wrong.
That’s a good thing because the problem can be corrected more quickly. With quick intervention and prompt attention, it’s possible for a truck to run 200,000 and still be in great shape.
Highway Miles and City Miles: Miles That Matter
There’s the mistaken belief that if a truck was only used for city miles—back and forth to work, taking kids to soccer games, running to the grocery store—the truck is in better condition.
Actually, the opposite is true.
Stop and go short trips take a heavier toll on a vehicle than long miles. An engine performs best when it’s warm which is why a truck with highway miles puts less stress on the engine than city miles.
If you have to choose between a truck with 50,000 city miles and 50,000 highway miles, choose the latter.
Cost of a Used Truck: How Much?
When it comes to pricing a used truck, there’s more to consider than just mileage. You want to look at the age, whether it’s still under warranty, how it was used, and its general health.
That said, the rule of thumb is for every 100,000 miles, the value of a truck is decreased by half, more or less.
Still, in the end, it all comes down to the market. The price of a used truck is always determined by the market, by what a buyer and seller agree upon.
Buying A Used Truck: Is It A Good Value?
The demand for trucks has been high. That means they are not depreciating as much as in past years. Because used trucks are retaining their value, that’s a better investment for you.
Trucks that are three years old with 50,000 miles are so reliable they can go for years without an issue thanks to the increased quality of newer trucks. That’s a great value!
When you’re shopping used car dealers in Harrisonburg, VA, turn to the pros at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza. We’ve been helping customers like you for 60+ years find the car and truck of their choosing. Learn more about us on our website.
That’s why the number of miles on a truck can—to some extent—be a good barometer of the health of the vehicle. But it’s not the whole picture.
The rule of thumb has been the lower the odometer miles, the better. With gas engines, you want a used truck with under 100,000 miles. But today, that’s not always the case.
If you’re looking to buy a diesel, you want under 200,000. But in both cases, you want to strongly consider the truck’s overall condition.
Buying A Used Truck: Check Wear and Tear
The number of miles a truck has indicates a certain amount of wear and tear on the components. That’s just the nature of a machine. You use it and the parts wear.
So, the question is at what point in a truck’s life will those parts begin to break? In the past, the answer was 100,000 miles. But pickup trucks made after 2010 tend to be sturdier, more robust.
These newer truck systems can withstand more wear and tear. What’s more, there are more lights and sensors that alert the driver when something is wrong.
That’s a good thing because the problem can be corrected more quickly. With quick intervention and prompt attention, it’s possible for a truck to run 200,000 and still be in great shape.
Highway Miles and City Miles: Miles That Matter
There’s the mistaken belief that if a truck was only used for city miles—back and forth to work, taking kids to soccer games, running to the grocery store—the truck is in better condition.
Actually, the opposite is true.
Stop and go short trips take a heavier toll on a vehicle than long miles. An engine performs best when it’s warm which is why a truck with highway miles puts less stress on the engine than city miles.
If you have to choose between a truck with 50,000 city miles and 50,000 highway miles, choose the latter.
Cost of a Used Truck: How Much?
When it comes to pricing a used truck, there’s more to consider than just mileage. You want to look at the age, whether it’s still under warranty, how it was used, and its general health.
That said, the rule of thumb is for every 100,000 miles, the value of a truck is decreased by half, more or less.
Still, in the end, it all comes down to the market. The price of a used truck is always determined by the market, by what a buyer and seller agree upon.
Buying A Used Truck: Is It A Good Value?
The demand for trucks has been high. That means they are not depreciating as much as in past years. Because used trucks are retaining their value, that’s a better investment for you.
Trucks that are three years old with 50,000 miles are so reliable they can go for years without an issue thanks to the increased quality of newer trucks. That’s a great value!
When you’re shopping used car dealers in Harrisonburg, VA, turn to the pros at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza. We’ve been helping customers like you for 60+ years find the car and truck of their choosing. Learn more about us on our website.
