When looking to buy a used car, one of the most important factors to consider is the vehicle’s mileage. Mileage gives you an idea of how much wear and tear the car has gone through. Understanding what constitutes low, average, and high mileage can help you determine if a particular used car is worth pursuing and how much you should reasonably expect to pay for it.
What Does Mileage Mean on a Used Car?
Quite simply, mileage refers to the number of miles a used car has been driven. It gives you a concrete measure of the amount of use the car has seen over its lifetime. Mileage directly correlates to the age and condition of key components like the engine, transmission, chassis, electronics, tires, brakes, etc. The more miles a car has been driven, the more wear it has incurred.
Mileage alone does not tell the whole story of a car’s condition. You also need to consider maintenance history, accidents, and overall appearance. However, mileage offers an initial benchmark for understanding the relative lifetime of a used car’s most important systems.
How Many Miles Can You Expect a Car to Last?
There is no single definitive mileage at which all cars will need major repairs or be unsafe to drive. However, there are some general guidelines:
- Most modern cars have a lifespan of at least 150,000 to 200,000 miles or 10 to 15 years if properly maintained.
- Luxury vehicles and full-sized SUVs often remain reliable up to 100,000 miles.
- Sports cars tend to have higher wear and tear so may need repairs starting around 70,000 miles.
- Off-road capable trucks and SUVs may last over 200,000 miles.
- Hybrid batteries typically last 100,000 to 150,000 miles.
These numbers assume recommended maintenance has been performed and fluids, hoses, belts etc. have been replaced as needed. If the used car you are looking at has significantly exceeded these approximate mileages, plan for the increased likelihood of major repairs.
What is Considered Low Mileage on a Used Car?
For most regular passenger vehicles, the following mileages can be considered low:
| Vehicle Age | Low Mileage |
|---|---|
| 1-2 years | Under 20,000 miles |
| 3-4 years | Under 40,000 miles |
| 5-6 years | Under 60,000 miles |
| 7-8 years | Under 80,000 miles |
| 9-10 years | Under 100,000 miles |
These low mileage used cars likely have many years of life left if properly maintained and are less likely to require major repairs in the short term. The virtually new condition and reduced wear make them more desirable, so you can expect to pay a higher price.
Other Factors When Considering Low Mileage
A few other things to keep in mind when looking at low mileage used cars:
- One- or two-year old off-lease cars with 20,000 to 30,000 miles are very common and not considered abnormalities.
- Very old cars with ultra low mileage may require repairs for dry rot and age even if the engine and drivetrain are pristine.
- Cars that are driven very short distances can incur more wear through extensive cold starts and less frequent fluid changes.
- Low mileage lease returns may show more interior and exterior cosmetic wear than expected.
What is Considered High Mileage on a Used Car?
Again keeping in mind averages for properly maintained vehicles, the following mileages would generally be considered high:
| Vehicle Age | High Mileage |
|---|---|
| 1-2 years | Over 40,000 miles |
| 3-4 years | Over 80,000 miles |
| 5-6 years | Over 120,000 miles |
| 7-8 years | Over 160,000 miles |
| 9-10 years | Over 200,000 miles |
At these high mileages, the likelihood of major repairs, rebuilt components, and breakdowns increases. The car will exhibit noticeable wear inside and out. These can still offer decent value depending on price, but plan to replace parts and perform extensive maintenance.
Additional Considerations at High Mileage
- Ask to see maintenance records to understand the extent and quality of upkeep.
- Carefully test all mechanical, electrical and electronic systems during test drives and inspections.
- Evaluate the aesthetic condition of the body, interior, glass, lights, paint, upholstery etc.
- Review any accident history and the completeness of repairs.
- Determine if any major components have been rebuilt or replaced.
- Inquire about the general reliability and ownership experience from the seller.
Average Mileage by Vehicle Age
The U.S. Department of Transportation provides data on the average annual miles driven by passenger vehicles. This can give you a good baseline for estimating expected mileage by age:
| Vehicle Age | Average Mileage |
|---|---|
| 1 year | 10,000 miles |
| 2 years | 20,500 miles |
| 3 years | 31,400 miles |
| 4 years | 42,500 miles |
| 5 years | 53,500 miles |
| 6 years | 64,300 miles |
| 7 years | 75,000 miles |
| 8 years | 85,700 miles |
| 9 years | 96,300 miles |
| 10 years | 106,700 miles |
So if you are looking at an 8 year old used car, average mileage would be around 85,700 miles. Significantly lower would be good, while much higher starts to raise concerns.
How Mileage Affects Used Car Value
Not surprisingly, mileage has a major impact on used car valuation. Typically, lower mileage correlates to higher value. Some key factors:
- Demand is higher for lower mileage examples of a particular used car model, effectively raising resale value.
- As a used car ages, mileage plays an increasing role in value calculations.
- High mileage significantly lowers value, in some cases forcing sellers to reduce prices 30% or more.
- Restoring a higher mileage car with new components may not increase value much if the underlying body and interior still exhibit wear.
- Truly low mileage collector cars (e.g. under 10,000 miles) command huge premiums regardless of their age.
Online pricing guides like Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds use complex formulas accounting for mileage among many other factors to estimate used car values. In general, keeping mileage below norms for a car’s age will help optimize resale value.
Is Mileage or Vehicle Age More Important?
Both vehicle age and mileage contribute to wear and need to be considered together when determining if a used car is a good value. However, there are a few guidelines for weighing their relative importance:
- For newer cars less than 10 years old, focus more on mileage than age.
- As cars get older than 10 years, age becomes more critical as rubber, plastics, electronics and even metal components deteriorate over time regardless of use.
- If choosing between an 8 year old car with 130,000 miles and a 12 year old with 80,000 miles, lean toward the lower mileage example.
- When very low or very high mileages are involved, they overshadow age. For example, a 6 year old car with 150,000 miles requires cautious inspection.
How Routine Maintenance Impacts Mileage Life
Regular maintenance is critical for maximizing the lifespan of major components like engines, transmissions, brakes, batteries and more. Vehicles that have not had oil changes, tune-ups, fluid flushes and other upkeep at factory recommended intervals will see accelerated deterioration and reduced mileage limits. Use this checklist when assessing maintenance records on a high mileage used car:
- Oil and filter changes every 5,000 miles or 6 months
- Transmission fluid flush every 30,000 miles (60,000 for newer vehicles)
- Coolant flush every 30,000 miles
- Timing belt replacement at 60,000+ miles if recommended
- Sparks plugs and wires checked every 30,000 miles
- Brake pad replacement every 30,000 to 70,000 miles
- Drive belt inspection every 10,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 5,000 to 7,000 miles
Ideally you want to see maintenance records to confirm these services were performed timely. Cars exceeding 100,000 miles without proper upkeep will likely need immediate repairs and increased vigilance on a going forward basis.
Signs of Poor Maintenance
Warning signs that may indicate neglect of maintenance:
- Original factory fluids that are discolored or have visible contaminants
- Leaks, stains or excessive grime under the car
- Engine hesitancy, knocking or pinging during acceleration
- Transmission slipping or delaying engagment
- Jerky brake pedal operation
- Cracked belts, damaged hoses
Any of these or other issues could signal the need for immediate repairs and increased future maintenance at higher mileages.
Does Mileage Matter on Leased Cars?
Mileage is a primary factor influencing leasing costs. Key considerations include:
- The standard lease allowance is typically 12,000 miles per year, with overage fees if you exceed this mileage.
- Going over your mileage allowance on a lease can result in fees of $0.10 to $0.25 per mile at lease turn in, which adds up fast.
- It may be possible to buy extra mileage upfront on your lease to avoid overages.
- Returning a leased car with significantly lower than average mileage, such as 30% under, will not result in a refund.
- At lease end, damage and excessive wear can add fees beyond just mileage overages.
The bottom line is to carefully consider your expected annual driving when negotiating a lease to avoid extra charges. Make sure the mileage allowance matches your needs.
Strategies to Avoid Mileage Overage Fees
- Analyze your current driving needs realistically
- Negotiate the highest mileage allowance you can on your lease
- Purchase extra miles upfront if you need more than the standard 12,000 mile allowance
- Track mileage closely as your lease progresses to identify any overage trends
- Consider switching vehicles if your needs change to avoid excess mileage
Carefully planning mileage and adjusting as needed can help you avoid surprise charges at lease end.
How to Estimate Mileage on Used Cars
Used car listings usually highlight the current odometer reading, but you may want to project total mileage based on factors like vehicle age and average driving data. Here are some tips:
- Consult reference sites for average annual/monthly mileage driven.
- Multiply the vehicle age by the average yearly miles for its age bracket.
- Call the seller to learn the car’s mileage when originally purchased if not in the ad.
- Add the delta between current and original mileage to get lifetime total.
- Adjust calculations for unusually high or low periods of use like recent long commutes.
- Compare your estimate to mileage averages for that model based on owner surveys.
These quick estimates can help you better understand lifetime mileage when full service records are not available.
Is Mileage Important on Collector or Exotic Cars?
For true collectible luxury and exotic vehicles, extremely low original mileage can make an enormous difference in valuation. Some key examples:
- Muscle cars from the 1960s and 70s with under 10,000 original miles command prices up to 10X higher than average condition examples.
- A vintage Ferrari, Lamborghini or other exotic with 1000 miles or less might sell for triple the price of a 15,000 mile car.
- Late model supercars can see 6 figure price premiums for models with just delivery mileage vs standard usage.
- Truly low mileage classic trucks and SUVs in like-new condition can bring prices on par with new vehicles.
For the most prized collectible and exotic vehicles, those original miles only come once. Collector demand ensures low mileage examples receive astronomical valuations.
Key Takeaways on Used Car Mileage
Mileage is a key factor when evaluating used cars:
- Lower miles typically correlate to higher value and reduced risk of near term repairs.
- Consider both age and mileage to determine expected lifetime and condition.
- Well maintained cars can reliably reach 150,000+ miles while performance models have lower limits.
- Thorough inspection covers for repairs needed at higher mileages.
- Regular maintenance is crucial for maximizing the lifespan of all components.
- On leases, mileage allowances must be carefully considered to avoid overage fees.
- Truly low mileage can greatly boost collectible model valuations.
Checking mileage against average ranges for a car’s age provides a quick litmus test for condition. More rigorous inspection and maintenance history review gives a complete picture. For most buyers, targeting used cars with lower than typical mileage for their age bracket offers the best value and ownership experience.
Conclusion
Mileage is one of the most important factors when assessing the value, condition, and remaining useful life of a used car. While high mileage does not necessarily make a vehicle unsafe or unreliable, it does indicate an increased likelihood of required maintenance, repairs and eventual replacement of key components. Aim for cars with lower than average mileage for the model year, and be sure to thoroughly inspect maintenance records, accrued wear, and all mechanical/electronic systems. With reasonable mileage and proper upkeep, the vast majority of modern cars can deliver many years and tens of thousands of miles of enjoyable use.