Oct 15, 2026

The Best Age To Buy a Used Car Is No Longer 4 Years Old, Car Experts Say

Finding the sweet spot for buying a used car is tricky. Conventional advice states that a four-year-old car is ideal because it's old enough that it's already dropped off the "depreciation cliff," yet new enough that it won't need costly repairs in the near term.

However, a recent Bumper analysis found that the math tells a different story. Here's what used car shoppers need to know.

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Why 6- and 7-Year-Old Used Cars Offer the Best Value

According to the data, the best age to buy a used car may actually be six or seven years old.

"When it comes to depreciation and repair costs, the ideal age to buy a used car is its sixth or seventh year," said Jeffrey Ross, automotive expert at Bumper. "This is when the depreciation has leveled out, giving the buyer a better deal up front."

According to MoneyGeek data cited by Bumper, in the first year of ownership, a car loses roughly 20% to 30% of its value. By year three, a car that costs the average new car price of $48,841 will only be worth about $26,900. By years five and six, it stops falling and plateaus around $22,000. Once a car reaches its depreciation floor, it sheds only about $1,000 to $1,500 per year from that point forward.

"The data also shows that repair costs stabilize in years six and seven," Ross said.

According to the data, average repair costs climb starting in year four, stabilize, and then leap again:

Year four average repair costs: $432/year
Year five average repair costs: $761/year
Years six and seven average repair costs: Stable
Year eight average repair costs: $1,079/year

"Buyers are in a sweet spot during this period when it comes to low purchase prices and low repair costs," Ross said.

For shoppers focused on maximizing value, the data suggests a well-maintained six- or seven-year-old vehicle may offer the best balance of low purchase price, stable depreciation and consistent repair costs.

Why Used Car Age Matters Less Than Mileage and Maintenance

Even so, buyers who focus too much on the age of a used car are making a costly mistake.

"In reality, the car's mileage and maintenance are far more important," said Ross. "A six-year-old vehicle with 100,000 miles and a vehicle history report documenting regular maintenance is likely going to be a better, and more reliable vehicle, than a four-year-old car with 50,000 miles and no maintenance records."

In this case, the older vehicle will almost certainly have a lower purchase price and lower repair and maintenance costs, he said.

"Conversely, buyers who might be considering an older car with extremely low mileage should not overlook the wear a car endures while it sits inactive," Ross said.

Ross said that age alone doesn't determine whether a used vehicle is a good buy. Mileage, maintenance records, overall condition and ownership history can have a greater impact on reliability and future repair costs.

"Look at the big picture, which takes into account factors such as age, mileage, condition, and where it has been owned and driven," Ross said.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Written by

Gabrielle Olya

Edited by

Brendan McGinley