How Many Miles Is Good For A Used Car? What To Know Before You Buy

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When shopping within the pre-owned market, one of the biggest questions to ask is, "What is a good mileage for a used car?" The answer is a bit tricky because it depends on a few factors including engines, body styles, and automaker. At Goodwin Motor Group, we know how tricky it can be to differentiate one used vehicle from another, so we'll help you compare mileage vs. age, used-car specifications vs. expectations, and answer "How many miles can a car last?"

What Counts as "Good Mileage" for a Used Car?

What counts as "good mileage" for a used vehicle changes significantly based on its age and type. For example, the average car mileage per year is around 1,200 miles, a typical benchmark for insurance companies and statistics. That means if you buy one of our pre-owned vehicles that's 10 years old and it has 100,000 miles, it's actually in fairly good shape for its age.

However, the reason for purchasing a car can affect your perspective of mileage. For example, if you're buying a day-to-day commuter, 50,000 to 100,000 miles on a sedan can be absolutely acceptable. Off-roading models might see 200,000 miles and still be good to go (and also be lower value, which makes them less of a liability if your off-roading gets messy).

What Is Considered High Mileage on a Used Car?

So, given what you commonly expect specific body styles to be used for, what is considered high mileage? Let's say you're shopping for a model that's 10 years old. If you see one with these numbers on the odometer, you're still getting one in good condition, but it may require more effort to care for:

  • Sedans: 125,000 - 150,000 miles
  • SUVs: 100,000 - 125,000 miles
  • Trucks: 100,000 miles (150,000 miles for diesel)
  • Minivans: 100,000 miles

These numbers assume something important: that the used models were well-maintained. Without proper upkeep, your vehicle could be less reliable much faster. You can find many of our best-maintained models with higher mileage numbers in our all-used inventory under $20,000.

Why Mileage Matters When Buying Used

But why do we care about the average mileage per year of a used vehicle? Mileage is a general indicator of age and maintenance habits. If a car is properly maintained at higher mileage, it is a genuinely wise investment: most vehicles are operable to around 200,000 miles, so checking the mileage compared to its history is a good indication on the quality of your car, truck, or SUV.

However, as mileage increases, so does wear and tear and maintenance needs of your vehicle. You'll always get a great price from a used vehicle, but a high-mileage model tends to need more maintenance visits than a lower-mileage one.

How Mileage Affects Used Car Prices

Simply put, higher-mileage vehicles almost always reduce the vehicle's price. A 2023 Toyota Camry at 15,000 miles, for example, will almost always cost more than the same model at 25,000 miles. That does mean the answer to the question, "How many miles is good for a used car?" may be higher than you expect once you see the base price.

Mileage Benchmarks by Age and Value

  • 0-25,000 miles: Around 2 years old. These cars are relatively new and haven't depreciated much; they hold about 60% of the original value.
  • 25,001-50,000 miles: Around 4-5 years old. The bulk of our one-owner used cars for sale are in this category; they're around 40% of their original value.
  • 50,001-75,000 miles: Around 5-7 years old. These vehicles are well-kept family models, or have seen a few owners; they keep around 25% of their original value.
  • 75,001-100,000 miles: Around 7-10 years old. At this point, most SUVs and trucks are firmly high-mileage and may require additional maintenance; these retain around 18% of their original value.
  • 100,001-150,000 miles: Around 10-15 years old. This category is common for budget-friendly inventories; these keep around 15% of their original value.
  • 150,001-200,000+ miles: Around 13-20+ years old. At this point, these models are considered old and may require additional assistance to maintain them road-ready; they keep around 10% of their original value.

City Miles vs. Highway Miles: Which Is Better?

Occasionally, a pre-owned model will let you see the difference between highway miles vs. city miles. Generally, you want models with more highway miles than city ones. City driving is a bit more stressful on the engine due to consistent stopping and turning, as well as rougher roads. It'll also mean you start with better brakes, a boon for many drivers.

Mileage vs. Age: Which Should You Worry About More?

The question of "How many miles should a used car have?" is often missing a logical partner question: "How old should a used car be?" A 2022 Honda CR-V at 30,000 miles may offer better standard features, engine technology, infotainment technology, or interior materials than a 2019 Honda CR-V at 30,000 miles. That means the latter will usually be less expensive.

A vehicle's age is almost always secondary to mileage. If you're comfortable with the setup of safety and comfort technology, the 2019 version of a model will be a smart pick, even if it has slightly more mileage on it. It'll reduce the price for you and end up with similar maintenance patterns – or, in some cases (like faulty or slow infotainment consoles), reduced maintenance costs.

When a High-Mileage Car Can Still Be a Smart Buy

So, is 100k miles on a car bad? Not really! Several brands, like Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevy, and Jeep, are known for their impressive durability and can be reliable options for a driver willing to give them some good care. For these models, the question of "How many miles is too many for a used car?" can often be as high as 200,000 miles.

When purchasing a car that is at 100,000 miles, make sure that specific maintenance procedures, like a drive belt replacement, have been completed. At this milestone, many vehicles require extra work to refresh the engine and keep everything running smoothly.

Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles: The Low-Mileage Middle Ground

Another alternative to these high-mileage models is our inventory of certified pre-owned vehicles. We at Goodwin Motor Group know a good model when we see one. When we decide that a car, truck, or SUV might be a great CPO option, it undergoes a detailed inspection of the engine, tires, brakes, infotainment console, and more. Once we're satisfied that its quality is nearly new, it joins this exclusive club, and it comes with a comprehensive vehicle history report. That means you can compare its mileage to its past maintenance appointments and see that it's on the right track.

Our CPO vehicles tend to be below the 60,000-mile mark – way before you have to ask how much mileage is too much for a used car. With competitive pricing and a transparent report, you can be sure our certified models are the perfect middle ground for model mileage.

How to Check Mileage and Maintenance Records Before You Buy

We hope we helped you answer the question, "What is a good mileage for a used car?" Now that you have a baseline, we invite you to check out our limited-time inventory of wholesale vehicles. Get them before they go to auction!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 100,000 miles too much for a used car?

If you find a used car with 100,000 miles on the odometer, it's usually fine to choose it as your travel companion. However, this mileage range is around the point where major maintenance items, like the exhaust system, timing belts, and filter structures, may require maintenance or replacements. If you are ready to tackle the model, you are rewarded with a low starting investment and excellent depreciation.

How many miles is good for a certified pre-owned car?

Many certified pre-owned programs do not allow vehicles that have more than 50,000 or 100,000 miles to qualify. For example, at Goodwin Motor Group, you will rarely find models with more than 60,000 miles in our CPO group. This is because passing the detailed inspection process requires the engine and tires to be in excellent condition, which becomes more difficult as the car gains miles.

How do I check a car's mileage accuracy?

While a vehicle's odometer tends to give a good look at what your chosen model has been through, you can also check its CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™ and compare it to its odometer reading. If it has gone through specific service or maintenance programs, you can compare it to its maintenance schedule to get a rough estimate of its age and what it's been through.