Low mileage used cars: Meemaw's buying guide

What counts as “low mileage”?

Most drivers put on roughly 12,000–15,000 miles a year. A car well below that — say a 10-year-old car with under 50,000 miles — is low mileage. The older the car and the lower the miles, the rarer it is.

Low miles doesn't always mean low wear

A car that sits a lot ages in its own ways. Rubber and fluids break down over time even when the car isn't driven. Look for these:

• Tires: check the date code on the sidewall. Tires older than about 6–10 years should usually be replaced, even with good tread.
• Belts, hoses and seals: look for cracking, and ask for any leaks under the car.
• Fluids: ask when the oil, coolant and brake fluid were last changed. Time matters as much as miles.
• Battery and brakes: short trips and long sits can wear down batteries and rust brake parts.

Check that the miles are real

Pull a vehicle history report with the VIN and compare the mileage over the years — it should only go up, at a believable pace. Service records, inspection stickers and old receipts help back up the odometer. Wear on the pedals, steering wheel and driver's seat should match the miles.

Questions to ask the seller

• Where was it stored — a garage, a carport, or outside?
• How often was it driven, and what kind of trips?
• Do you have service records?
• Has it been in any accidents or had paint work?
• Is the title clean and in your name?

Always get an inspection

Before you pay, have an independent mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection. It usually costs far less than the problems it can catch, and it's the best way to tell a true garage gem from a car that just sat.