Whether you own a car already or are considering buying a used car, you’ve probably thought about the question: how many miles is too many on a used car? Understanding how the mileage on your current or potential car will affect its performance can help you make a wise purchasing decision and plan for the future.
How mileage affects your car
Mileage can affect the performance and value of your car. On average, drivers put about 13,500 miles on their cars every year. If you clock more miles, that can significantly change the value of your car.
In addition, car parts need to be replaced according to the miles on your car. Depending on the brand and quality, tires will need to be replaced about every 30,000-80,000 miles. Oil changes are required on average about 5,000-7,000 miles, and brake pads also have to be replaced at regular mileage intervals.
All this goes to show that miles put wear on your car and, over time, this can cause damage that amounts to costly repairs.
How miles and age impact a used car’s value
Mileage should be considered in combination with age. If you have a three-year-old car with 70,000 miles on it, this will likely be considered high mileage because the car has significantly higher mileage than most cars its age. On the other hand, a 10-year-old car with 70,000 miles on it may be considered low mileage for its age.
In general, though, cars with more than 100,000 miles on them are typically considered high mileage.
How to know if your used car has too many miles
Mileage is just one of many factors that can help you decide if you need to replace your car. Most people replace their cars when they become unreliable or unsafe. However, if your used car is getting up in years and miles, it can be hard to determine if it’s worth it to pay for costly repairs versus putting the money toward a new car.
First and foremost, if your used car is unsafe to drive – if there are fundamental issues that crop up that could threaten your safety or the safety of others on the road — it’s probably a good idea to get a new car.
Aside from safety, though, if you’re facing costly repairs and your car is high in mileage, you will likely continue facing issues in the future. It can be useful to consider the cost of the repairs relative to the value of the used car. You can also weigh how much it would cost to get a new vehicle.
How to know if a used car for sale has too many miles
The way that mileage affects a used car depends on what types of miles were put on the car and how it was maintained throughout its life. In other words, mileage is just one factor that determines whether a car will be reliable and a good purchase.
Below are some additional factors to consider when deciding whether a particular used car is a good financial decision.
The type of miles on a used car
How and where the car is driven throughout its life affects the mileage. In general, racking up long trips on freeways can be better for your car than miles accumulated from many short trips. Around town, more wear and tear is placed on the brakes and transmission when compared to long trips on the highway at the same speed for many miles.
The maintenance history of a used car
You will want to consider the car’s mileage in the context of its history of ownership and maintenance. If a used car was owned by a single owner who kept up with maintenance, mileage is less concerning. However, a car with the same mileage that was owned by several different owners with a spotty maintenance record can post some serious concerns.
Age of a used car
As mentioned, a car’s age should be considered in combination with its mileage. Really, you’ll want to consider miles per year more than total mileage. Aim for a car that’s well in the below-average to average mileage per year – around 10-12,000 miles per year.
How many miles is too many when shopping for a used car
A well-maintained car can last for many years, so be sure to consider all of these things in combination when shopping for a used car.
If you’ve decided that you’re ready to purchase a car, you may be thinking about how to budget for this. Many people wonder how much money they can afford to spend on a used car. This is where Red River Credit Union can assist!
To help you understand your budget and determine how much you can afford, click below.
How Much You Should Spend on a Car
FAQs
Traditional wisdom used to warn car buyers to keep away from vehicles with over 100,000 miles. Put simply, though, the 100,000 mile-marker is no longer a good indicator for buying used. If a vehicle has been properly maintained, it can last several hundred thousand miles.
Is 70,000 miles too much for a used car? ›
Picking a Used Car Based on Mileage
If a used vehicle has 70,000 miles on it and is working well, then you can probably use it for a long time without incident. However, if you find a cheap used car with 110,000 miles on it, then you can probably get another five years out of it before running into any major problems.
What mileage is too high? ›
So, for an easy way to calculate how many miles on a used car is too much, just multiply its age by 10,000. For example, a five-year-old car would ideally have 50,000 miles or less on its odometer. If a car's mileage is far larger than the average, then you will have to take a deeper look at the car's history.
Is 85000 miles a lot for a used car? ›
So, a car that is five years old would have about 75,000 miles to be considered “average.” Anything significantly more, and a car is considered to be “high mileage.” Anything significantly less, and it's a “low mileage” car.
Is 200 000 miles bad for a used car? ›
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.
At what mileage should a car be replaced? ›
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.
Is it worth fixing a car with 200k miles? ›
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 it bad to buy a car with 150k miles? ›
When it comes to buying a used car with over 150,000 miles, there are a few things to consider. It's important to note that the condition of the car matters more than the number of miles it has driven. A well-maintained car with high mileage may be a better purchase than a poorly maintained car with lower mileage.
Is 50 000 miles on a used car bad? ›
Finding a four-year-old car with 50,000 miles on it can be a great deal, as it means that the driver used it a little less than average, and it could have more life left in it. However, you should be a bit wary of vehicles that are a decade old with only 50,000 miles to show for it.
When should you worry about mileage? ›
How many miles on a used car is too much? That ultimately depends on a vehicle's condition, motor vehicle history, and the car make and model. Look into hiring a professional mechanic to inspect the used car you're considering, especially if it's odometer reads close to 100,000 miles or more.
Most reliable sedans are:
- Toyota Avalon: 230,000 - 250,000 miles.
- Chevrolet Impala: 210,00 - 230,000 miles.
- Honda Accord:200,000 - 225,000 miles.
- Toyota Camry:200,000 - 223,000 miles.
- Lexus GS 350:190,000 - 208,000 miles.
A wary buyer should use as a general rule of thumb that most cars are driven 12,000-15,000 miles per year. If a vehicle is 10 years of age, it should have between 120,000 miles and 150,000 miles on the odometer.
When buying a used car, what mileage is too high? ›
There's no rule to how many miles on a used car is too much, but by attempting to stick to the 12,000 miles per year rule is a great place to start. Find out how old the car is, multiple the number of years by 12,000, and if the number on the odometer is significantly higher than that, some concern might be warranted.
Is a 10 year old car too old? ›
Cars over 10 years old can still be reliable. Most vehicles can last well over a decade with proper care and maintenance. In fact, the average car on U.S. roads is now 12.6 years old, according to a study from S&P Global Mobility. Furthermore, a car doesn't really stop depreciating until it hits that 10-year mark.
Is buying a used car with 75k miles bad? ›
It should have no more than 60,000 to 75,000 miles on the odometer. If it has more than that, the car has likely gone through a lot of wear and tear in a short amount of time, and may not last much longer without needing serious repairs.
Is 60,000 miles a lot for a used car? ›
So, what is considered high mileage for a used car that is five years old? It should have no more than 60,000 to 75,000 miles on the odometer. If it has more than that, the car has likely gone through a lot of wear and tear in a short amount of time, and may not last much longer without needing serious repairs.
Does high mileage devalue a car? ›
Automakers release new models every year, “so older versions are regarded as less valuable,” says Eric Ibara, director of residual value consulting for Kelley Blue Book. And the more miles on a car, the less it's worth. To fight depreciation, “the biggest thing an owner can do is not put on a lot of miles,” Ibara says.
