What Is Good Mileage for a Used Car? (2024)

FAQs

How many miles is too high for a used car? ›

There's no rule to how many miles on a used car is too much, but by attempting to stick to the 12,000 miles per year rule is a great place to start. Find out how old the car is, multiple the number of years by 12,000, and if the number on the odometer is significantly higher than that, some concern might be warranted.

The best age vs the best mileage for used cars

A reasonably good mileage on a used car should be about 15,000 km—20,000 km per year. For example, a three-year-old car should have used around 45,000 km to 65,000 km, and a five-year-old should have used around 75,000 km to 100,000 km.

Finding a four-year-old car with 50,000 miles on it can be a great deal, as it means that the driver used it a little less than average, and it could have more life left in it. However, you should be a bit wary of vehicles that are a decade old with only 50,000 miles to show for it.

In general, most modern cars can cross 200,000 miles without any major issues, provided the vehicle is being well-maintained. Considering that an average person drives 10,000-20,000 miles per year, this will account for roughly 15 years of service.

It's possible for some properly maintained, well-built cars to reach 300,000 miles. Typically, a conventional vehicle lasts for 200,000 miles.

Under normal circ*mstances, a vehicle with 40,000 miles may be considered relatively new, even if it's several years old. A younger vehicle with 140,000 miles would be considered significantly older, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's in bad condition.

On average, a car should have around 10,000 miles per year. So, for an easy way to calculate how many miles on a used car is too much, just multiply its age by 10,000. For example, a five-year-old car would ideally have 50,000 miles or less on its odometer.

A car with 50,000 miles in good condition will provide years of adventures if taken in for regular maintenance visits. But if you find a well-maintained car with 100,000 miles, it may last another four or five years with proper care – and you'll probably get a great deal on the price.

Affordability: One of the primary advantages of purchasing a 10-year-old car is affordability. New cars experience rapid depreciation in their first few years, making older models more budget-friendly. Buyers looking for a cost-effective option may find that a 10-year-old car provides good value for the money.

In conclusion, while it's a good idea to consider both the age of a vehicle and the mileage on the odometer, how it was maintained is the key. A 10 year old car with 100,000 miles may have received more maintenance and upkeep then a 5 year-old car with 50,000 miles.

Is it OK to buy a used car with 60000 miles? ›

So, what is considered high mileage for a used car that is five years old? It should have no more than 60,000 to 75,000 miles on the odometer. If it has more than that, the car has likely gone through a lot of wear and tear in a short amount of time, and may not last much longer without needing serious repairs.

Depending on the car's value, repairing it might be worth the money to keep it going for a few more years. However, most modern gasoline-powered vehicles will start to struggle after the 200,000-mile mark. Electric cars can usually make it up to 300,000 miles before they're considered well used.

Cars and trucks like to be driven. Parts that don't get regular use can become brittle and break more easily. And a low-mileage car that hasn't had regular maintenance can see more problems down the line. Overall, a high-mileage vehicle that is driven frequently and has been well-maintained will be a more reliable bet.

A wary buyer should use as a general rule of thumb that most cars are driven 12,000-15,000 miles per year. If a vehicle is 10 years of age, it should have between 120,000 miles and 150,000 miles on the odometer.

Per MotorBiscuit.com, the average Toyota SUV should last over 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. That means that you can buy a used SUV with 100,000 miles on it, and still enjoy another 100,000 miles of reliable performance. The higher the mileage, the lower the price of the SUV tends to be.

Modern technology means a longer vehicle life-span.

At one time, 100,000 miles was considered a long life for a vehicle. Today, that same distance is considered mid-life for most cars. Certain makes and models regularly roll through 200,000 and even 300,000 miles.

Service History - If a car has made it to 100k miles, you can expect that it will have a lengthy service history. That is a LOT of data to ultimately help you decide if it's been a reliable car. A well-maintained car with 100k miles and no major issues is a great sign that it's reliable for another 100k.

High mileage isn't always a red flag, but it can indicate increased wear and tear on a used car. If you're considering a used car with high mileage, check for other signs of excessive wear in the interior, such as worn seats, pedals and steering wheel.