How much mileage is good for a used car? (2024)

FAQs

How much mileage is good 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.

What is considered high mileage on a car? 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.

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.

Good mileage for a used car is around 20,000 km (12,400 mi) per year. Mileage assessment also depends on factors like make, model, maintenance, and driving conditions. Excessive mileage concerns start beyond 185,000 km, but well-maintained cars can last longer.

What is a good mileage on a used car? Typically, a vehicle with 75,000 – 100,000 miles on the odometer is a good deal, but with recent advances in vehicle technology, cars with over 100,000 miles can help drivers save and last for many years to come on Toms River roads.

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. Here are some factors to consider when assessing used car mileage.

How many miles does a car last? A conventional car can last for 200,000 miles. Some well-maintained car models will reach 300,000 or more miles total.

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.

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.

Traditional wisdom used to warn car buyers to keep away from vehicles with over 100,000 miles. Put simply, though, the 100,000 mile-marker is no longer a good indicator for buying used. If a vehicle has been properly maintained, it can last several hundred thousand miles.

At what mileage should I change my car? ›

While mileage specifics depend on car make and models, you can start thinking about scrapping your car once it's exceeded 100,000 miles for petrol (or up to 150,000 miles for diesel) with proper maintenance. Between 50,000 and 100,000 miles is when you can expect more frequent repairs and replacements.

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.

In the past, the average lifespan of a car was significantly lower than it is today. Now, you can expect a standard car to last around 12 years or about 200,000 miles. More advanced vehicles like electric cars can go even longer, up to 300,000 miles.

It all depends on how well it has been maintained. Most of us start out with 10-15 year old cars. But if it hasn't been maintained well you will end up spending a ton of money on repairs.

The optimal time to purchase a used car is typically between 2 to 5 years old. Within this age range, the vehicle has already experienced the most significant depreciation, yet remains relatively new and in good condition.

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.

If a vehicle is 10 years of age, it should have between 120,000 miles and 150,000 miles on the odometer. If a vehicle has accumulated substantially more miles or fewer miles, an inquiry related to this should be investigated.