A vehicle’s mileage is often a key consideration for used-car shoppers. Many buyers are unsure what constitutes “good mileage” for a used vehicle and how the number on the odometer impacts the car's value and long-term reliability. Here, we’ll explain what you need to know.
What Is a Good Mileage for a Used Car?
- What’s Considered “Best Mileage” for a Used Car?
- Whic Cars Can Cover High Mileages?
- How High Mileage Impacts Used-Car Prices
- Maintenance and Mileage
- How to Check a Car's History
- Maintenance Tips for Extending Vehicle Life
What’s Considered “Best Mileage” for a Used Car?
The term “good mileage” varies depending on the car model, its age, and how you intend to use it. But consider: The average driver puts about 12,000 to 15,000 miles on the odometer per year. Based on this national average, a 5-year-old used car with 60,000 to 75,000 miles would qualify as having good mileage. Anything above that is high mileage and anything below, low mileage.
If the vehicle has significantly fewer miles than this, it may mean that the previous owner didn’t drive it much or had a short commute, which could indicate that it’s seen less wear and tear and is in better shape than the typical pre-owned vehicle. Then again, low mileage may also suggest that the car has been sitting unused for extended periods, which isn’t ideal. Without regular use, the tires may develop flat spots, the brakes may rust, the rubber seals may dry out, and animals may take shelter in the chassis and eat wires and insulation.
On the other hand, a used vehicle with high mileage for its age should trigger some concern about the condition of its engine, transmission, and other key systems because with use comes wear and tear.
Which Cars Can Cover High Mileages?
When it comes to used car mileage, it makes a difference whether you’re shopping for a modern vehicle or an older car, as the lifespan of a vehicle has changed over time, thanks to advancements in automotive technology. Back in the 1980s, a car with 60,000 miles or more — regardless of its age — was considered high-mileage, while one with over 100,000 miles was deemed at the end of its useful life. Nowadays, however, a newer car can easily exceed 200,000 miles if well-maintained. That doesn’t change the fact that many car buyers still use these thresholds as a guideline for whether to purchase a used vehicle. (More on that later.)
The brand of the vehicle may also come into play, as some automakers have a better reputation than others when it comes to durability. Toyota, for instance, is held in high regard by many for being a reliable carmaker. So do your due diligence: Check out reliability studies and even owner forums to see if the particular model you’re looking at has a history of major issues.
How High Mileage Impacts Used-Car Prices
The number of miles on the odometer is just one important factor that influences the price of a used car. Vehicles with lower mileage tend to go for a premium because they have at least the perception of having more life left in them.
As a general rule, if the vehicle has more miles on it than it should (based on the aforementioned average), then it would be considered a higher mileage and therefore demand a lower price than a similar vehicle with good mileage. This is because autos tend to encounter problems as they rack up miles.
For instance, if a specific model is known to need a new transmission at about 150,000 miles, and it’s already at 140,000, the seller will likely need to bake in a discount to cover the cost of that repair for anyone to consider it.
Buyers may also hesitate to purchase a pre-owned car over certain mile marks due to concerns about future reliability, which in turn affects pricing. Some people won’t even look at a vehicle with more than 100,000 miles, whereas others may set the maximum at 75,000. If that’s the case and you’re trying to sell a car with 80,000 miles on it, your vehicle will be excluded from many people’s search results, which means there are fewer shoppers competing for it. And with less demand comes lower prices.
Maintenance and Mileage
Don’t use mileage as the only guideline for determining a pre-owned vehicle’s value. While a lower-mileage car may look great, that doesn’t mean it was well taken care of.
All cars require regular maintenance to stay in optimal working condition, but it’s especially important for high-mileage vehicles, as their components have likely been stressed or may be nearing the end of their lives.
If you don’t take care of your vehicle, you’re just asking for trouble. The same holds true for buying a vehicle without looking at its maintenance history. Every internal-combustion vehicle needs regular oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections, and fluid replacement. The manufacturer will have laid out the intervals for service in the car’s owner’s manual, which you should compare to the car’s service history. If the car isn’t driven regularly, the owner may not have seen a need to change the oil at the time-based interval, but you should make sure it happened close to the mileage-based recommendation.
How to Check a Car's History
If you want to find out more about how well a car you're interested in has been looked after you can usually look up its history report online if you have its vehicle identification number (or VIN). This report may cost you a little money, but if you’re serious about purchasing the car, knowing its history is important and worth the expense.
Many dealerships and independent shops work with the main vehicle history report companies, providing summaries of service visits so potential buyers can know what was done and when and provide a gauge of the vehicle’s condition. If the owner took it to a certified mechanic who doesn’t participate in this information sharing, or if they swapped out fluids and filters in their own garage, ask for receipts and any records they have documenting this upkeep. Buying from a DIYer who doesn’t have detailed maintenance records is a risk.
You should also bring any used car, regardless of mileage, to a professional mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection to assess its overall condition. No seller should have an issue with this, or with a test drive. If they do, make it a requirement of the sale – particularly if it’s a high-mileage car.
Maintenance Tips for Extending Vehicle Life
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Once you have purchased that high-mileage vehicle, following a strict maintenance routine will help extend its life. Here are a few tips for keeping the vehicle going:
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Change the oil regularly to keep your engine running smoothly.
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Replace worn parts promptly, as delaying repairs can cause bigger headaches later and even make the car unsafe.
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Monitor fluid levels and regularly check for small leaks and cracks in the lines, as they can become brittle with age.
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Follow the manufacturer’s service schedule and consider performing preventative maintenance to avoid a problem before it occurs.
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Use the right products, including things like oil formulated for high mileage, if it exists for your particular car.
