Tips for Buying a High-Mileage Used Car We would always recommend that you avoid buying a used car with too many kilometres racked up - most cars with an odometer reading exceeding 150,000 kilometres have more wear than is worth trying to fix.
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.
Treat any car >200k km as a repair-prone purchase. Pay for a mechanic's inspection and reduce purchase price to cover plausible repairs. If you're mechanically handy or have a trusted repair budget and the model has longevity reputation, the car can be a strong value.
A good car is 15,000 km a year, so if you can find a 10 year old car that has done 150,000 kilometres, that's a good car. On average, though, it's more likely to be 250,000 km.
Generally, vehicles with more than 250,000 kilometers on the odometer may have experienced significant wear and tear. While many cars can last well beyond this, you'll want to carefully consider the vehicle's service history and current condition if it has higher mileage.
Ultimately, car age and mileage both matter when buying a used car. They both affect the vehicle's depreciation rate and they are both interlinked – mileage is taken as being high or low based on a car's age and the older the car, the more miles it's likely to have driven.
150,000 to 200,000 Miles
This is when your car may need more significant repairs, such as the replacement of leaking engine oil seals, a transmission rebuild or replacement, a new exhaust system, or possibly a head gasket replacement. “The potential for big repairs goes up after 150,000 miles,” Ibbotson says.
Denton Auto Repair
Consumer reports note that while the typical lifespan of a new vehicle is approximately 8 years or 150,000 miles, well-maintained vehicles can surpass 15 years and overcome 300,000 miles.
That complies with common advice: to aim for a vehicle that has travelled less than 15,000km per year. So, if you're buying a car from 2015, 150,000km or less would be advisable.
The average for all vehicles reaching over 200,000 miles is just one percent. Toyota dominated as the top brand in all categories, including pickups. The study found Toyotas and full-size sports utility vehicles are the longest-lasting vehicles that are most likely to reach 200,000 miles or more.
Acceptable mileage on a used car
Reasonable mileage ranges from 15,000 to 20,000km per year. Anything beyond that is considered high mileage. So, a 5-year-old car with normal usage would typically have between 75,000 and 100,000km on the clock.
Over 150,000 km: This is high mileage. These cars might need more frequent repairs, but they can be bargains if they have a solid maintenance history and are known for longevity.
The average American car is now around 12 years old and reaches about 156,470 miles before it goes to the junkyard. Many well-maintained vehicles hit 200,000 or even 300,000 miles — a stark contrast to expectations from a generation ago.
High Mileage: The Most Reliable Used Cars
The Toyota Land Cruiser tops the list, as 18.2% of vehicles surpass the 200,000-mile mark, making it both the longest-lasting vehicle and the longest-lasting SUV. The Land Cruiser is Toyota's longest-running series of models, with production starting in 1951.
Top Signs Your Transmission May Be Failing
Brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Land Rover and Volvo are high risk to own after their warranties expire. The older these vehicles get, the more their repair problems pile up for owners. After a while, it's not uncommon to spend four figures on repairs.
Signs of Wear and Tear to Watch For
Increased mileage can wear down parts ranging from your engine and transmission to your suspension and brakes, impacting their functionality and overall vehicle safety. Maintenance frequency – Vehicles with higher mileage often have more frequent maintenance needs.
But the truth is, no car lasts forever, and ignoring early warning signs can turn a minor issue into a major breakdown at the worst possible moment. Strange noises, sluggish acceleration, difficulty starting, or dashboard warning lights are just a few of the red flags that your car is on its last legs.
The age of the vehicle plays a crucial role in this decision. For older vehicles with high mileage, replacing the transmission may provide a longer-term solution and potentially add years to the vehicle's life. On the other hand, if the vehicle is relatively new or still under warranty, repair may be a viable option.
The key to making your vehicle last 300,000 miles or more is regular maintenance. That means changing your oil at the recommended intervals and following the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. It's all there in that extremely valuable but underutilized piece of literature in your glove box.