What mileage is considered high for a used car?

Asked by: Trystan Jenkins  |  Last update: February 23, 2023
Score: 4.6/5 (43 votes)

The average amount of miles put on a vehicle every year is between 10,000 and 15,000 miles. Anything above this is considered high mileage. Another popular opinion on what high mileage means is any car with over 100,000 miles on it. This is generally a standard when purchasing a used car.

How many miles is too much 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.

Is it OK to buy a used car with high mileage?

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.

Is it worth buying a car with over 100K miles?

One of the best reasons to buy a car with 100K miles or more, is that cars have become more and more reliable. It has gotten to the point where it's common to see cars running well past the 200,000-mile mark. That means a car with 100,000 miles on it, would last you more than 6 years if you drive 15,000 miles per year.

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 Many Miles Is Too Much for a Used Car

41 related questions found

How long will a car with 150k miles last?

While the exact point at which a vehicle reaches this threshold is somewhat subjective, 150,000 miles is a realistic estimate. A modern car with 150,000 miles on the road may be considered high mileage, but it can still provide years of reliable use.

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 many miles can a car last before it breaks down?

A conventional car can last for 200,000 miles. Some well-maintained car models will reach 300,000 or more miles total. The average passenger car age is currently around 12 years in the United States. Choosing a well-built make and model can help extend your car's longevity.

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.

Does replacing an engine reset mileage?

Answer provided by

An engine swap or engine replacement will not reset the odometer as the odometer doesn't just measure the engine but all of the components of the car. In fact, it's illegal to reset the odometer as it would not accurately reflect the age of other parts of the vehicle.

Is 200k miles too much?

In some cases, you can be fine buying a used car with 150,000 or even 200,000 miles on it, because maintenance helps them last far beyond what many people have come to expect. When considering mileage on a used car, don't take it at face value.

What matters most when buying a used car?

Thinking of Buying Used? Consider What Matters Most
  • Remember, You Have More Options. In a nutshell, you need to ask what's best for you, and what you're looking to get out of your used car. ...
  • Do you Value Quality? ...
  • Are you Looking for a Quick Fix for a Year? ...
  • Is “Updated” Technology a Priority?

What is the best age to buy a used car?

All in all, the best age to buy a used car is around the 5-year mark, as this minimizes depreciation and maximises reliability for the price you'll pay, meaning you're less likely to have any problems or need to pay any more money for later on which is a common problem with really cheap or much older vehicles.

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.

Is 170k miles too much?

Today, the average car can cross the 200,000-mile mark without any major issues if it is well cared for. With this said, there is no absolute number of miles that may be considered too many on a used car. However, think of 200,000 miles as a decent threshold where extra care may be necessary.

Is 160 000 miles a lot?

High Mileage Is More Than 10k Miles Per Year Of Age

A vehicle should have 10,000 miles put on it per year on average so any vehicle with less than 10,000 x Years = X is considered low mileage. Another standard of mileage is a car with over 100,000 miles is considered high mileage.

What is the sweet spot for buying a used car?

What Is the Used-Car Sweet Spot? It's the period after the vehicle's first — and most significant — depreciation and the second steep depreciation, which comes around the fourth year. This pattern is fairly consistent across all vehicles.

What's the most reliable used car?

Most Reliable Used Cars
  • 2017 Lexus ES: Predicted Reliability Score 96.
  • 2017 Lexus ES Hybrid: Predicted Reliability Score 96.
  • 2018 Porsche 911: Predicted Reliability Score 94.
  • 2020 Chevrolet Sonic: Predicted Reliability Score 93.
  • 2019 Genesis G70: Predicted Reliability Score 91.

What should you not do when buying a used car?

If you don't like the deal, there is nothing wrong with walking away.
  1. Failing to Line up Financing Before Shopping.
  2. Shopping Based on Monthly Payments Alone.
  3. Foregoing the Test Drive.
  4. Not Having the Car Checked by a Mechanic.
  5. Making Initial Negotiations in Person.
  6. Buying Based on Looks.
  7. Not Running a Vehicle History Report.

What are 3 things you should do before buying a used vehicle?

Here are seven things you need to do before buying a used car.
  1. Define what you want and do your research. ...
  2. Set your budget. ...
  3. Consider all of your financing options.
  4. Run a Carfax report. ...
  5. Do a test drive. ...
  6. Get the car inspected. ...
  7. Be prepared to walk away.

What things do car dealerships do to hide how poor a car might be?

High Mileage

A lot of buyers won't purchase a vehicle that has high mileage because they think the vehicle might have poor performance. Some used car dealers try to hide this information by omitting the exact mileage from the car's fact sheet.

What should you consider before you buy a car?

10 Things You Should Consider Before Buying a Car
  • Determine What Car Fits Your Needs. ...
  • Get Your Credit Report. ...
  • Review Your Loan Options. ...
  • Discover Your Car's Trade-In Value. ...
  • Determine Your Desired Payment. ...
  • Learn About the Car's History. ...
  • Consider Whether You Would Like to Buy or Lease. ...
  • Research Dealerships.

Can a car reach 300 000 miles?

Can a car last 500,000 miles? It is extremely unusual for cars to last over 500,000 miles (804,672 kilometers). It's less unusual for cars to go over 300,000 miles (482,803 kilometers) without encountering major repairs though.

Can a car last 500000 miles?

THERE is no one secret to getting your car to live to a ripe old odometer reading. Luck could get you there, but it is no surprise that many vehicles that have reached 200,000, 400,000 and even 500,000 miles have received extraordinary care and maintenance, often with the owners doing the routine work themselves.

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.