how many miles on a used car

[Jane]

The ideal mileage for a used car isn't a single number but a balance between age, maintenance, and vehicle type. A common benchmark is around 12,000 miles per year. A 5-year-old car with 60,000 miles would be considered average. However, a well-maintained 10-year-old car with 80,000 miles is often a better buy than a neglected 3-year-old car with 50,000 miles. The key is to prioritize verifiable service history over the odometer reading alone.

Mileage is a critical factor in a used car's value and projected longevity. Lower mileage typically means less wear on major components like the engine and transmission. But extremely low mileage on an older car can be a red flag, potentially indicating long periods of inactivity which can cause issues with seals, hoses, and the fuel system.

Here’s a general guideline for mileage assessment:

Mileage Range	Typical Age	Consideration	Potential Risk Level
0 - 30,000 miles	0-3 years	Like-new, often former lease vehicles.	Low
30,000 - 60,000 miles	3-5 years	Average use. Major components should be in good shape.	Low to Medium
60,000 - 100,000 miles	5-8 years	Key maintenance milestones (timing belt, transmission fluid) are due.	Medium
100,000+ miles	8+ years	Higher risk of costly repairs, but can offer great value if well-maintained.	Medium to High

The type of vehicle greatly influences how mileage is interpreted. A diesel pickup truck or a Toyota/Lexus product with 120,000 miles can have plenty of life left, while a luxury European sedan with complex electronics at the same mileage might be a financial gamble. Always get a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic. They can assess the actual condition of the brakes, suspension, and engine, which is more telling than the number on the dash.

[LeMaggie]

I look for under 100,000 miles, period. That's my mental cutoff. Once a car hits that six-figure mark, even if it's been taken care of, it feels like you're just waiting for something big to go wrong. I want a car I can rely on for daily commuting without constant worry. For a five-year-old car, I'd be aiming for something closer to 50,000 or 60,000 miles. That seems reasonable and gives me a few years of worry-free driving before any major maintenance pops up.

[VanRuth]

Stop fixating on the odometer. I've seen cars with 200,000 miles that run smoother than some with 50,000. The real question is, "How was it driven and maintained?" A highway-commuter car with 80,000 miles has endured far less stress than a city delivery vehicle with 40,000 miles. Demand to see a full service history. A stack of receipts is worth more than a low number. A pre-purchase inspection is non-negotiable; it tells you what the miles actually mean for that specific car.

[Alina]

Honestly, we were shopping with a tight budget, so we had to consider cars over 100,000 miles. We found a 2012 Camry with 115,000 miles, but it had a perfect service record from one owner. Our mechanic checked it out and said it was solid. We've put another 20,000 miles on it with just basic oil changes. It's not fancy, but it gets us where we need to go. Don't automatically rule out higher-mileage cars if the history checks out and you get it inspected.

[VanDaniella]

Think of mileage as a car's heartbeat count. A lower count is generally better, but the rhythm and health matter more. A car that averages 15,000 miles a year on gentle highway routes is in better condition than one that averaged 7,000 miles a year in harsh, stop-and-go city traffic. The wear on the engine, brakes, and suspension is vastly different. Focus on how the miles were accumulated. A detailed vehicle history report can show registration locations and help you guess the driving environment.