How old of a used car is safe?

Purchasing a used car that is just 2-3 years old is a massive saving on new car prices and you get a virtually new car. But if you are willing to potentially sacrifice on styling and features, a five-year-old vehicle offers even more dramatic savings and is unlikely to cost much more in annual maintenance.

Is 10 years too old for a used car?

New cars are so reliable that, on average, one could be expected to remain trouble free for years at a time. A five-year-old car may encounter a problem every three years. Even 10-year-old cars would only be expected to have a problem every 18 to 20 months on average.

What is the best age to buy a used car?

Unfortunately, everyone is looking for used vehicles because there is no replacement for new cars other than used cars. “I think the sweet spot [for used cars] is 3-to-4 years old with 30,000 to 40,000 miles on it,” Reiss says. The average price of a 3-year-old car is $28,289, according to Edmunds.

Is it too late to buy a car from the 1990s?

We wouldn’t go too far beyond the mid- to late-1990s for any car, as parts can be harder to find once a car crests 20 years of age. For higher mileage vehicles with more than 150,000 miles on the odometer, we might recommend trying to find a newer model year than the late 1990s.

Is it worth it to buy a car that is 2-3 years old?

After that, depreciation still happens, but at a slower rate. Taking these figures into account, buying a vehicle that’s 2-3 years old means you’re getting a nearly new vehicle while taking none of the depreciation hit yourself.

Is it better to buy an old car or new one?

Buying a car that is only a few years old, compared to one that is a decade old, has benefits, Reiss says. “It hasn’t had the wear and tear on the engine and interior,” she says. “It also probably has newer technology.