Depreciation vs Mileage Chart Calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
How does mileage affect vehicle depreciation?
Mileage affects depreciation in two ways: overall wear increases with miles, and excess mileage (over 12,000 miles/year) reduces value more significantly. Typically, vehicles lose about $0.25-$0.35 per mile in value, with additional penalties for excess annual mileage.
Which has more impact: age or mileage?
Age typically has more impact in the first few years (vehicles lose 20% in year one regardless of mileage). After year 3-4, mileage becomes more significant. High-mileage vehicles depreciate faster, while low-mileage vehicles retain value better even when older.
What's the optimal mileage for best resale value?
The sweet spot is 10,000-12,000 miles per year. Vehicles driven significantly less may be more valuable (low-mileage premium), while those driven much more (15,000+ miles/year) see accelerated depreciation. However, extremely low mileage on older vehicles can signal problems.
Can I offset depreciation with maintenance?
Regular maintenance helps but doesn't eliminate depreciation. Well-maintained vehicles may retain 5-10% more value than poorly maintained ones, but they still follow standard depreciation curves. Service records can help maximize resale value.
