A 4-year-old car should ideally have between 48,000 to 60,000 miles (77,000-96,000 km), based on an average of 12,000-15,000 miles/year, but mileage varies greatly, so low mileage isn't always best; a well-maintained car with higher miles (like 80,000-100,000 km) might be better than a low-mileage car with neglected history. Focus on the vehicle's overall condition, comprehensive service records, and the type of driving (highway vs. city), as maintenance history often trumps just the odometer reading.
At 4 years old, the average miles is going to be around 65/70k, based on DOT data. I know I drive around 20-30k miles a year myself on the light side.
Using this as a benchmark, a 5-year-old car with 65,000 to 70,000 kilometres on the odometer might be considered typical. However, 'good' mileage for used cars can exceed this range. So, for a 5-year-old car, good mileage would likely be between 65,000 and 100,000 kilometres.
If you're asking, 'how many kms is too many for a used car', let's cut to the chase. Generally, vehicles over 200,000 kms could be ripe for costly repairs, but the true picture is nuanced by factors we'll unpack.
In the automotive world, the industry standard for average annual mileage is about 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. Based on this: A 5-year-old car should have roughly 60,000 to 75,000 miles on the odometer to be considered average.
For example, a 5-year-old car with 20,000 miles can still be considered low mileage because the average insurance companies generally consider a yearly mileage of fewer than 7,500 miles to be low mileage. The 5-year-old car has driven significantly less compared to what's expected of a 5-year-old car.
Signs of Wear and Tear to Watch For
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.
A reasonably good mileage on a used car should be about 15,000 km—20,000 km per year. For example, a three-year-old car should have used around 45,000 km to 65,000 km, and a five-year-old should have used around 75,000 km to 100,000 km. Anything beyond that is considered high mileage.
Globally, the average car lifespan varies, but most vehicles are expected to last between 200,000 to 300,000 kilometres. Here's a closer look at the numbers: Sedans: Standard sedans, like the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord, typically last around 250,000 to 300,000 kilometres with proper maintenance.
Ideally, you want to find a vehicle with a mileage that reflects its age: A 3-year-old car with around 45,000 to 60,000 kilometers would be considered low to average mileage. A 5-year-old car with about 75,000 to 100,000 kilometers is within a good range for most buyers.
A typical Australian passenger vehicle is driven 13,800 kilometres per year and is 9.8 years old.
So, a five-year-old car with 60,000 to 75,000 miles is considered typical. Anything significantly higher than that may be viewed as high mileage — but that doesn't automatically mean it's a bad buy. Advancements in automotive technology mean many modern cars can surpass 200,000 miles with proper maintenance.
Engines in high-mileage vehicles experience gradual wear over time. Piston rings, valve seals, and gaskets can deteriorate, leading to increased oil consumption. If you notice that your car is burning oil between changes or that the oil level drops without visible leaks, it may be a sign of worn internal components.
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.
One of the biggest factors that affect vehicle longevity is driving style. Smooth driving – gradual acceleration and deceleration, constant speeds, and minimal hard braking – can add years to a car's engine and transmission life.
What is the best age for a used car to buy? If you want the best balance of cost and dependability, a used car that's 2-5 years old is usually your best bet. Here's why: A car loses most of its value in the first 2-3 years, so buying nearly new avoids the steepest depreciation.
Brands known for reliable, high-mileage vehicles
According to the latest Edmunds sales data, the best time of the year to buy a used car is in the months of November and December.
The usual rule of thumb for getting a good deal on a used car is to aim for 15,000km per year. This means if you're looking at a 10-year-old car, you should aim for around 150,000km.
Both factors influence one another; for instance, a car may be just a year or two old but if it has high mileage, its value will be negatively impacted. With that said, however, the value of an older car that has low miles can depreciate significantly due to things like antiquated technologies and safety features.
As a general rule, most cars in the UK cover around 10,000 - 12,000 miles a year. So, if you're looking at a five year old car, you'd expect to see somewhere between 50,000 and 60,000 miles on the clock. That said, there isn't a magic number that makes a car good or bad.
What Mileage Should You Steer Away From? While many modern cars are designed to last at least 150,000 to 200,000 miles, vehicles that are approaching or exceeding these numbers may start requiring costly repairs.
But usually, a car engine can last about 100,000 to 200,000 miles. This means if you drive around 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year your car engine can stay good for up to 13-16 years. For sure, this is just an average and some engines might live longer or shorter.
While every car is different, there are certain red flags that indicate your vehicle may no longer be worth the investment in repairs or maintenance.