What is considered low mileage for a car?

Asked by: Mrs. Geraldine Rosenbaum  |  Last update: September 20, 2022
Score: 4.4/5 (12 votes)

While there's no specific definition, low mileage is generally considered 15,000 miles or less. The good news about low-mileage cars is that they are typically in better mechanical condition and may last longer than cars with higher mileage, provided that you adhere to a basic maintenance schedule.

What is considered low mileage on a used vehicle?

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 many miles is a low mileage car?

If you are a low mileage driver, typically driving less than 6,000 miles per year, you could be paying too much for your car insurance.

What is considered low mileage per year on a car?

Some companies consider anything under 12,000 miles per year to be low mileage. Others consider anything under 10,000 miles to be low mileage. And yet others only consider you a low-mileage driver — and reward you for it with better rates or a discount — if you drive less than 5,000 miles per year.

What is 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.

Car Hating High Mileage vs Low Mileage Vehicles

41 related questions found

Is 100K miles alot for a car?

Many modern cars may have more than 100K on the odometer but will still be in great condition with lots of life left in the engine. This is because newer models feature more advanced technology. A 2019 model that's done 100K will likely offer better longevity than a 2016 model with 100K and will be priced accordingly.

Is low mileage on a car good?

Low mileage cars tend to be more desirable on the used market because they've seen much less use - meaning components that are affected heavily by wear and tear - like the brakes, clutch, tyres etc may last longer into your ownership before needing replacing.

Is 50 000 miles a lot for a used car?

When shopping for second-hand cars, don't think so much about how much mileage it has on it right now, but how much mileage you'll get out of it. If the car you're looking at has 50,000 miles on it, that basically means you can drive it for another 90,000 miles before you even get to the average.

Is 20k miles a year a lot?

20,000 miles a year can be considered a lot given the average miles driven by both, American men and women. Additionally, 20,000 miles a year on a car can easily be considered high but it all depends on maintenance. If a car is well maintained, 20,000 miles a year may not matter too much.

Is 45k miles a lot on a car?

Under normal circumstances, a vehicle with 40,000 miles may be considered relatively new, even if it's several years old. A younger vehicle with 140,000 miles would be considered significantly older, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's in bad condition.

How much is too much for a used 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.

Does a car's mileage matter?

A car's life isn't determined by miles driven.

Mileage is just one indicator of a vehicle condition. Theoretically, a vehicle that has covered more miles has more wear and tear, but a car with 60,000 miles on the odometer can easily be in worse shape than one with 120,000 miles. Cars and trucks like to be driven.

What's average mileage for a car?

The average annual miles driven in the United States is about 14,263, according to the latest U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration data from 2019.

Is 130000 miles a lot on a car?

Unless you just need a cheap transportation, we recommend avoiding cars with more than 130,000 miles (208,000 km). There are many vehicles that can last much longer, but a lot depends on the mechanical condition. Smaller and turbocharged gasoline engines often have more problems at higher mileage.

Is 70000 miles a lot for a used car?

According to 2019 data, you can expect previous owners to have put an average of 14,263 miles per year. So, you can expect a 5-year-old car with 70,000 miles on it to be good as far as mileage goes. Anything substantially higher suggests the car has more wear and tear than its counterpart with lower miles.

Is 300 000 miles alot on a car?

Standard cars in this day and age are expected to keep running up to 200,000 miles, while cars with electric engines are expected to last for up to 300,000 miles. Keeping a car that long has a lot of benefits, including the fact that it could save you a great deal of money.

Is 20000 miles a year a lot for a car?

What is considered high-mileage? Typically, putting 12,000 to 15,000 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.

What is more important year or mileage?

Even when mileage is low, the older a car gets, the less reliable it becomes. Modern cars are much more reliable, even as they age. Five-year-old cars record what is considered a major problem every three years, while 10-year-old cars are more likely to face a problem every 18 to 20 months.

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.

Is 61000 miles a lot for 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.

Is low mileage better 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.

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.

How long will a car with 150k miles last?

With proper maintenance, a car can easily last 15 years or more. Of course, this all depends on the make and model of the car and how it is driven and cared for. But in general, a car should be able to last for at least ten years without any major problems.

Can you reset miles on a car?

No. In fact, it's illegal to alter or tamper with your car's odometer, especially intending to deceive potential buyers or sellers about the car's actual condition. Mileage is one of the primary factors being looked at during vehicle appraisal and determining its sale value.