How long should you keep a car before trading it in?

Asked by: Lewis Waelchi  |  Last update: March 19, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (70 votes)

The best mileage range to trade in a car is often between 30-40,000 miles or between two and three years old, before your new car warranties expire. You're more likely to receive a higher trade-in appraisal when it has fewer miles on it and more of its warranty left .

How long should you wait before trading in a car?

You can trade a financed car at any point, but you may want to consider waiting a year or more. This is due to depreciation, which can see a new vehicle drop as much as 20% in value during the first year of ownership. However, if you have negative equity on a vehicle, you can still move forward with a trade.

How many miles should I put on my car before trading it in?

30,000 To 40,000 miles

Your car depreciation will generally start to increase faster after this milestone, so the nearer your car is to this mileage, the more desirable your trade-in appraisal will usually be.

How long should you keep a car for it to be worth it?

Most Popular Safety Features In Cars Today

As someone who values your life and the life of your passengers, you should probably get a new car every 8-10 years. It's as logical as getting life insurance at around age 30. After 10 years, you will likely be much wealthier as well.

How long should you keep a car before selling it?

Depends, but 5-6 years is pretty common. Longest was 12 years, sometimes 1 or 2. I like to get 1 year for every thousand dollars I paid for the car, and hopefully no catastrophic failures within the time frame of owning it.

My Sneaky Trade In Tactic - Ex Car Salesman Tells All!-How To Trade In Your Car

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At what mileage should I sell my car?

60,000-70,000 miles: Most manufacturers' powertrain warranties expire in that range, and the second major maintenance is scheduled to occur. Selling before reaching those benchmarks will get you a better price for your car than selling afterward.

Is it worth keeping a 20 year old car?

Additionally, maintenance costs can quickly add up as cars age. Parts are harder to find, and labor is more time-intensive. If these concerns make you uneasy, avoid cars over 20 years old. This rule of thumb may help ensure your vehicle choice is still safe, reliable, and affordable.

What is the best mileage to trade-in a car?

30,000 To 40,000 miles

Your vehicle depreciation will generally start to accelerate more quickly after this milestone, so the nearer your vehicle is to these miles, the better your trade-in appraisal will usually be.

What not to do when trading in a car?

Here are some of the most common mistakes you should avoid making when trading in your current vehicle:
  1. Being Unrealistic About Your Vehicle's Value. ...
  2. Accepting the First Offer. ...
  3. Completing Repairs Before Selling. ...
  4. Not Understanding the Tax Benefits of Trading In. ...
  5. Skipping the Car Wash. ...
  6. Letting Your Emotions Impact Pricing.

What is a good lifespan for a car?

A conventional car can last for 200,000 miles. Some well-maintained car models will reach 300,000 or more miles total. The average passenger car age is currently around 12 years in the United States. Choosing a well-built make and model can help extend your car's longevity.

What is the optimum years to hold on to a car?

How long should you keep a car? A typical car is expected to last 200,000 miles or more, with electric or hybrid vehicles going up to 300,000 miles. If you drive the average number of miles for an American, a typical car should last you about 14 years and an electric car will last about 21 years.

Are car trade-ins worth it?

Because dealerships handle the entire process and put work into your car to resell it for a profit, you won't get the most money possible. However, a trade-in is a good option for those who prefer convenience over value.

How many miles is too many to trade in?

Even if your car continues to run well, it's generally worth less once it's reached 100,000 miles. Your car's depreciation is significant at this point, and you likely won't get as much for it. Most dealers cannot resell a trade-in as a certified pre-owned vehicle once it reaches 80,000 miles.

Does trading in a car hurt your credit?

So, you can find out the value of your car and sell it to the dealer without thinking about your credit. If you are selling or trading in your car for another model, though, and are planning on financing, the inquiry process can impact your score. However, the vehicle trade-in itself carries no weight.

How many miles should I put on my car before I trade it in?

30,000 to 60,000 Miles

It's a good idea to sell your car before it hits 60,000 miles if you don't want to spend a lot of money on repairs and replacement parts. During this mileage bracket, your car should be about five years old, meaning it'll still command a substantial amount.

Is it smart to trade in a car that isn't paid off?

Trading in a car generally helps you reduce how much you'll need to borrow when buying another vehicle, but if you have a balance on your current auto loan, you may be encouraged to roll your existing balance into a new loan, which will increase your total loan costs and the interest you'll pay over the life of your ...

What is a disadvantage of trading in a car?

The main drawback of trading in your car is that you are limited to using the value of your vehicle to helping you save on your next purchase here at our dealership. If you prefer to simply take payment and decide what you want to do with it later, then selling might be the better fit for you.

What are 10 things not to say at a car dealership?

Let's look at some things to keep under your hat while you explore the lot.
  • "I Don't Know Much About Cars"
  • "My Current Car Is on Its Last Legs"
  • "My Lease Is Almost Up"
  • "I'm Going to Pay Cash!"
  • "I Already Have a Car Loan Lined Up"
  • "I Love This Car"
  • "I've Never Bought a New Car Before"

How many years should you keep a car?

How long you should keep a car is up to you. Some estimates suggest the average length of ownership of a new vehicle in the U.S. is more than 8 years. “Average” is the operative word here. Some people trade automobiles like baseball cards, while others drive a car until the wheels fall off.

When not to trade in your car?

It's generally OK to trade in a car with a loan if the dealer will give you more for it than what you owe. But if you'll get less for the trade-in than what you still owe on it, it may make more sense to wait until one of the following: You pay off all of your loan.

At what mileage does a car lose the most value?

The most value is lost when cars surpass 60,000 miles, dropping by an average of 27% compared to their value at 50,000 miles. [1] This could be because the industry standard car warranty lasts for three years, or until a car reaches 60,000 miles, whichever is sooner.

What mileage is too high to buy a car at?

Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.

At what age do cars lose the most value?

Within the first year, many cars will lose up to 20% of their value. After that, they may lose about 15% more per year until the four-or five-year mark.

What percentage of 20 year old cars are still on the road?

How many 20 year old cars are still on the road. About 23% of all passenger cars on the road today are 20 years old or older. The most vehicles on the road today are model years 2015 to 2019 model years, which make up approximately 26% of all vehicles.

Is a 2002 car too old?

Reliability depends on the vehicle and how many miles it's covered. We wouldn't go beyond the early 2000s for any daily driver because parts can be harder to find once a car crests 20 years of age.