When it comes to considering a car’s lifespan, mileage is a vital metric to consider. But as straightforward as it sounds, mileage is more than just accumulated driving distance over time. There are a number of variables that can make mileage more or less of an issue.
High mileage can also mean more unexpected maintenance and repairs. That makes mileage a key question when you’re buying a used car. In reality, you should be asking how much time you will likely have with a car that’s seen its fair share of motorways, maintenance, and repairs.
You might have heard that a car with 200,000 miles on it is probably headed for the junkyard. That's often true.
But what about cars that have racked up less? When does a car’s overall mileage put it into ‘high mileage’ territory, and should a big number on the odometer stop you from purchasing a used car?
In this article we’ll look what is high mileage for a car, along with the other factors that will influence its value and likely longevity.
Look beyond the numbers
Generally, high mileage on a car is anything beyond 1000 miles a month or 12,000 miles per year. Mechanics usually agree on the figure as ‘average’ car use. More than that is considered high mileage, so a three-year-old car with 40,000 miles, for example, would be in the high mileage range.
Still, mechanics typically use the phrase 'high mileage' when a car has 100,000 miles or more on the odometer. That sort of mileage can put a lot of owners off and many cars don't come with warranty cover for more than 100,000 miles.
But the truth is, a car’s mileage often doesn’t actually give you much practical insight into its condition. In fact, a car that’s been used regularly is often in better shape than a car that’s been used off and on, or left to sit unused for long periods.
So, mileage is only part of the story. What you really need to know is how it’s been cared for. A lot can depend on the make and model, the owner’s level of care, and other factors.
Consider the car’s maintenance record
In many cases, the owner’s level of care for the car is the single most important factor in determining how the machine holds up over the years. A car that’s been well-cared-for may be good to make it to 200,000 miles or more.
Preferably, someone selling a used car should be able to provide you with at least basic information on how it’s been maintained and information on how it was driven. Was it used for daily commuting, for business purposes, mainly for leisure trips at weekends?
In addition to those questions, other things to look for include:
- Whether the car received regular oil changes, spark plug changes and cleaning
- Whether the car was parked outside or in a garage
- Whether the car was driven regularly or if it's been sitting unused for a time
- You should also ask for the car’s service record, and consider both major and minor items
Of course, if a car has had a number of owners, that info may be sketchy or unavailable, which takes us to the next tip.
Look at how the car was used
There's single rule for deciding if a car has too many miles, but looking at its history can give you an idea of its likely lifespan going forward.
If you were presented with two identical cars, one with 50,000 miles on it and another with 70,000, the normal reaction would be to select option one. It has the lowest mileage so it's had less wear and tear, right?
Maybe. What if the 50,000-mile car was previously part of an urban car-club scheme, while the 70,000-mile car was privately owned by someone who commuted from a market town to a trading estate via motorways and A-roads. Would that change your mind?
The car-club car has probably been driven extensively in town. That puts a lot of wear and tear on a car’s clutch and brakes. When mileage is accumulated over short journeys, the engine is often cold — so oil’s ability to protect internal components is at its lowest point. A car club car also won't be treated with the same care by the people who drive it.
A single owner is much more likely to treat their car with care and use it for longer trips on the motorway. On the motorway, you leave the clutch or the brakes mostly untouched and the engine operates at a relatively low set of revolutions, so internal components are better protected.
You're also a lot less likely to pick up the scrapes and bumps that are a reality of city driving. Longer journeys also give a car more time to reach its optimal temperature, so your engine oil is better able to do its thing.
Consider the owner(s)
A car with a small number of owners is generally a good sign. The more hands a car has passed through, the greater the chance of an unreported crash, deferred maintenance or other undesirable events.
For this reason, single-owner cars are the holy grail every used car buyer looks for. It makes it much easier to find information about the car’s service history or know if it's been involved in a collision.
However, here’s where you have to take the big picture into account again. What kind of miles did the owner put on the car? Were they an aggressive driver who drove with their brakes, or more of relaxed driver who could take the daily stresses of British roads in stride?
If you’re contemplating a used car purchase, don’t be put off by the speedometer reading alone. Do your homework and you could bag a bargain with miles of road life left to offer.
FAQs
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.
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.
Is 150K miles on a car bad? ›
Many modern cars with 100K-150K miles are in great condition and will easily go another 100K. However, if a car has not been maintained properly and has been driven hard or previously wrecked, it can be junk with only 30K miles on the odometer.
Is 200 miles on a car bad? ›
The general rule, though, is that anything under 200 miles is acceptable for a new car. That allows enough capacity for transport from the shipping port or between dealerships if the car is sent to a new showroom. It's also unlikely that the car would suffer any technical issues with fewer than 200 miles.
How much mileage is OK for a car? ›
What is Good Mileage for a Car? Most professional mechanics will tell you that 12,000 miles per year is an accurate estimate for a car that has not been overdriven and considered to have high mileage. Therefore, a vehicle driven for 10 years, would have an acceptable mileage of 120,000 miles.
Is buying a car with 200k miles bad? ›
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.
At what mileage should a car be replaced? ›
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.
Is it worth repairing a car with 200k miles? ›
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.
What mileage is too high? ›
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. If a car's mileage is far larger than the average, then you will have to take a deeper look at the car's history.
At what mileage should I sell my car? ›
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.
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.
What is the average life of a car? ›
What's the Average Life of a Car? 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.
Is a 20 year old car too old? ›
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.
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.
How many miles should a car do in its lifetime? ›
Average Car Lifespan
Provided that it's well-looked after, the average lifespan of a petrol car is around 11-14 years or 200,000 miles. The average diesel car lives even longer, at around 30 years or 1,000,000 miles. Electric cars, meanwhile, live for an average of 10 years or 100,000 miles before hitting the bucket.
What is a high mileage car? ›
What is Considered High-Mileage? Typically, putting 13,000 to 14,000 miles on your car per year is viewed as “average.” A car that is driven more than that is considered high-mileage. With proper maintenance, cars can have a life expectancy of about 200,000 miles.
Is buying a car with 100k miles bad? ›
Reliability was more questionable then, and many vehicle odometers didn't even reach six figures, never mind driving beyond that milestone. Today, however, most cars are engineered to drive well past 100,000 miles, which means buying a high-mileage car can lead to a great deal.
Is 50,000 miles a lot for a used car? ›
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.
Is 300,000 miles on a car bad? ›
Research shows that there are a good number of vehicles on the road that have reached the lofty range of 300,000 miles.
