Is 100k miles too much for a used car?

Asked by: Darby Toy  |  Last update: July 26, 2022
Score: 4.9/5 (39 votes)

It can be somewhat risky to buy a vehicle that has racked up more than 100,000 miles. Even if it's well-maintained and has about 100,000 miles left in it, such a car is already past its prime. Generally, vehicles are likely to start experiencing problems after the 100,000-mile mark.

Is 100K a lot of miles on a car?

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.

How many miles are too many for a used car?

There's no absolute number of miles that is too many for a used car. But consider 200,000 as an upper limit, a threshold where even modern cars begin to succumb to the years of wear and tear.

Do cars last 100K miles?

The old adage was that 100,000 miles was indicative of a car past its prime. However, modern cars offer more durability, reliability, and longevity despite the complexities of new technology. Today, the average car can cross the 200,000-mile mark without any major issues if it is well cared for.

How much is a car with 100K miles worth?

Last summer, the average used vehicle with between 100,000 and 110,000 miles on its odometer was worth about $12,700, according to Edmunds.com. That was just a few dollars more than it had been worth the year before. This year, that same sort of vehicle would be worth about $16,500, a roughly 30% increase in value.

Should you buy a used car with over 100K miles?

23 related questions found

What happens to a car after 100k miles?

So here's what we're looking at at the 100,000 mile mark: Your vehicle's fluids break down the age, so change your oil, coolant, and transmission, brake and power steering fluid. Check your timing belt. At some point in its long life it will begin to wear and crack will eventually break, which can ruin your engine.

What maintenance should you do at 100 000 miles?

In all likelihood, your transmission fluid, oil, coolant, power steering fluid, and brake fluid will all require to be replaced during your 100,000 mile maintenance appointment.

What's considered a high mileage car?

Up to 1000 miles a month – or 12,000 miles per year – is seen as average car use, any more than that would be considered high mileage – a two-year-old car with 40,000 miles, say. That said, the term 'high mileage' is usually reserved for cars that have covered 100,000 miles or more.

What is the most reliable high mileage car?

According to many reputable sources including Carfax, U.S. News, and Consumer Reports, these are some of the most reliable high mileage cars:
  • Subaru Legacy/Outback.
  • Toyota Tacoma.
  • Lexus RX 350.
  • Toyota 4Runner.
  • Ford F-150.
  • Subaru Forester.
  • Honda CR-V.
  • Jeep Cherokee.

Is it worth buying a used car with high mileage?

Here's the answer: Overall, a car that has been driven enough, has been maintained well, and has high mileage will be a reliable choice. Thanks to modern technology, lifespans have increased. At one point, 100,000 miles were considered to be a long life for a car.

How many miles should a 20 year old car have?

Image via Flickr by FotoSleuth. As a general rule, you should assume that the average car owner puts 12,000 miles on a car each year. 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.

How many miles should a 10 year old car have?

So if you're looking at a 10-year-old vehicle, around 120,000 miles on the odometer is typical. But some vehicles travel more, and some travel less.

How many miles can a car last before it breaks 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. That said, there's more to identifying good versus bad mileage on a used car than just the odometer reading.

How many miles should a 4 year old car have?

So for a car that's four years old, you might reasonably expect it to have around 57,200 miles.

How many miles should a 7 year old car have?

A car that is seven years old should have around 105,000 miles.

Is mileage more important than age?

Is Mileage More Important Than Age? The short answer is no. There is no clear winner in the battle of mileage vs age. This is because, when shopping for a used car, you don't just base your decision on either one.

How long would it take to drive 100k miles?

100,000 miles in most companies in 12 months is an average of over 8,300 miles a month. Basically most drivers will reach 100,000 miles at between 10 and 12 months. It basically depends on the freight and how long you are out. If you are off most weekends, it will take longer.

What car has the longest life expectancy?

Keep reading to learn about ten cars with the longest life spans!
  • 8 8. Honda Odyssey. ...
  • 7 7. Lincoln Navigator. ...
  • 6 6. Honda Civic. ...
  • 5 5. Chevrolet Suburban. ...
  • 4 4. GMC Yukon XL. ...
  • 3 3. Ford Taurus. ...
  • 2 2. Toyota 4Runner. ...
  • 1 1. Chevrolet Impala.

How many miles can an engine last?

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.

How much is too much for a car?

Financial experts say to not spend more than 35% of your annual income on the car itself and the costs that come with your purchase. Below you'll find a breakdown of what to consider when buying a new or used car and how much you should spend.

How much does a car depreciate after 100k miles?

For example, a used 2015 midsize SUV with 100,000 miles still holds 50 percent of its original value; however, a midsize car with 100,000 miles retains only 42 percent of its value. The gap further widens between older, low-mileage used SUVs and passenger cars.

How often should you change your oil after 100k miles?

You may be wondering “how often should I change my oil if my car has high mileage”? If you have a newer car with 150,000 or 200,000 miles you likely should also change your oil every 3,000 miles. If you burn more than 1 quart of oil or your oil is very dark before you get to 3,000 miles it's likely time to change it!

Do you need to replace spark plugs at 100k?

Ford advises to change the plugs at 100,000 miles on an F-150, Explorer and other models under “normal” driving conditions. If a vehicle frequently tows a trailer or spends a lot of time in stop-and-go traffic or idling, then Ford suggests installing fresh plugs every 60,000 miles.

How do you take care of a car with 100k miles?

Firestone Complete Auto Care's 100k Mile Maintenance Checklist
  1. Prioritize Oil Changes. Keeping up with regular oil changes is one of the best things you can do for your vehicle. ...
  2. Be Mindful of Maintenance. ...
  3. Take a Look at Your Tires. ...
  4. Maintain Your Fluids. ...
  5. Check Your Battery. ...
  6. Wash and Wax. ...
  7. Stop and Check the Brakes.