How many miles should a 20 year old car have?

Asked by: Prof. Sabina Dicki IV  |  Last update: September 6, 2023
Score: 4.6/5 (67 votes)

At a Glance: The ideal mileage on a used car can be determined by multiplying 12,000 miles by the age of the car. However, mileage alone is not the sole factor to consider when buying a used car. Other factors such as the number of previous owners, driving conditions (city vs.

How many miles does the average 20 year old drive a year?

Young drivers ages 16-19 and adults over 65 drive the least out of all the age groups. Both of these groups drive a similar amount of miles on average — around 7,600 miles a year. Working-age adults drive the most out of all age groups, with the 20-44 age groups driving 15,300 miles on average.

Is a 20 year old car still good?

Reliability does depend on the vehicle and how many miles it's covered. We wouldn't go too far beyond the mid- to late-1990s for any car, as parts can be harder to find once a car crests 20 years of age.

How many miles is too high for a used car?

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.

Is 60000 miles a lot for a used car?

To determine whether a car has reasonable mileage, you can simply multiply 12,000 by its age. That means good mileage for a car that's 5 years old is 60,000. Significantly more or fewer miles could indicate a problem or trouble in the future.

How Long Can a Car Really Last

19 related questions found

Is 70k miles on a car bad?

According to J.D. Power, watch out for certain things at specific mileage thresholds, including: 30,000 to 70,000 miles: Brake pads need to be changed in this interval. Depending on the car, discs may also need replacement. 60,000 to 100,000 miles: Timing belts and chains may need replacement.

Is 200k miles a lot for a used car?

Although it may have been well maintained, the purchase of a vehicle with over 200,000 miles on the odometer might lead to significant maintenance costs. At this point, the car is likely nearing the end of its useful life, and you may soon need to either invest a significant sum in repairs or replace it entirely.

What is the average lifespan 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.

What mileage do cars start breaking down?

As a general rule, most vehicles begin to seriously degrade at around 150,000 miles. It is considered rare, and therefore outstanding longevity, if a car reaches 200,000 miles on the road.

Is low mileage better than age?

It ultimately depends on your needs and preferences. If you're looking for a long-term investment, then it's important to focus on the car's mileage – buying a low mileage car means you will be able to sell it easily. However, if you simply want a reliable and affordable vehicle, then age may not be as important.

What happens when a car is 20 years old?

A vehicle that is between 20 and 45 years old typically qualifies as a classic car for registration purposes, while insurers often require the car to also have historical significance. The exact definition of a classic car can vary between state DMVs, insurance companies, and motor clubs.

What should I replace in my 20 year old car?

brake pads and discs. Engine oil and filters. Fuel filters. Tyres - remember that age affects them as well as wear, so check for any signs of cracking or perishing even if they have plenty of tread.

What is a car considered after 20 years?

Classic cars, which are 20+ years old, are used for just about anything – from pleasure driving, restoration projects and car shows. This classification encompasses a lot of muscle cars and sports cars.

How many miles should my car have?

At a Glance: Car owners drive around 12,000 per year on average, which is a good rule of thumb for deciding how many miles a used car should have. For example, if the car is 5 years old, it should have 60,000 miles or less. When buying a used car, people tend to have difficulty gauging the value of the vehicle.

Is 20k miles a year on a car 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.

What is the highest mileage recorded on a car?

The highest mileage car on record is Irv Gordon's 1966 Volvo P1800S, with over 3 million miles. There were even two electric cars in the study. The Tesla Model S has a potential lifespan of 133,998 miles and the Nissan Leaf 98,081.

Is 290 000 miles on a car bad?

With regular maintenance and a little bit of luck, however, vehicles can perform reliably for more than 200,000 miles, so the odometer reading alone might not tell the whole story.

Is 182 000 miles on a car bad?

With proper maintenance, cars can have a life expectancy of about 200,000 miles. But whether you reach that in two years or 10 years, it doesn't have to mean the end of your vehicle's life.

Which car brands last the longest?

The longest-lasting car brands are Toyota, Honda, GMC, Chevrolet, and Ford, but Japanese SUVs are the longest-lasting vehicles out of all the options. Finding a reliable car, truck, or SUV is even more important these days as costs are higher across the board.

What is the lifespan of an engine?

Average engine lifespan

For some time, the average lifespan of a car's engine was eight years, or 150,000 miles. New designs, better technology and improved service standards in recent years have increased this average life expectancy to about 200,000 miles, or about 10 years.

Can a car last 30 years?

Making your car last for 30 years requires consistent maintenance and proper handling. Keep your car clean, handle it properly, avoid overloading, and invest in high-quality parts. With these tips, you can have a car that lasts for decades.

Is it better to have more or less miles on a car?

Usually, the fewer miles that a car has been driven, the better. If you can find some used cars with fewer than the average miles on most used cars sold today, you will be in better shape. Of course, higher miles aren't always a bad thing.

Is it worth fixing a car with over 200000 miles on it?

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.

Is 300000 miles on a car bad?

Can a car last 300,000 miles? It's possible for some properly maintained, well-built cars to reach 300,000 miles. Typically, a conventional vehicle lasts for 200,000 miles. The average automobile age in the United States has increased over the past several decades.