So you're hunting for a used car and keep seeing ads screaming "LOW MILES!" like it's some golden ticket. But here's the thing I learned the hard way when buying my first used Honda: mileage alone is a liar. Seriously. That Civic had 85,000 miles but felt like it'd been through a war zone because the previous owner skipped oil changes for two years straight. Meanwhile, my neighbor's Camry with 140,000 miles runs smoother than my morning coffee routine because of religious maintenance. That's why asking what is good mileage for a used car is only half the battle.
Why Mileage Isn't the Holy Grail (And What Actually Matters)
Let's bust this myth wide open. Dealers love waving low numbers in your face, but think about it: a 2015 Ford F-150 with 60,000 miles of towing heavy trailers through mountains is probably more worn out than a 2018 Toyota Corolla with 90,000 highway miles. Shocking, right? That's why I always tell friends to consider these three things before obsessing over digits:
The Maintenance History Test: No records? Walk away. Period. I nearly bought a "pristine" Volvo until I discovered its service book showed 15,000-mile oil change intervals. Hard pass.
Driving Conditions Autopsy: City stop-and-go traffic murders engines faster than open highways. Ask where the car lived.
Brand Reliability Report Card: 120,000 miles on a Toyota? Probably fine. 120,000 on some European luxury brand? Brace your wallet.
The Magic Mileage Formula You Can Actually Use
Okay, fine, you still want numbers. After helping dozens of friends car-shop and digging through Consumer Reports data, here's my cheat sheet for good mileage ranges:
| Car Age | Ideal Mileage Range | Yellow Flag Zone | Red Flag Zone | Real-World Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 years old | 10k - 30k miles/year | 30k - 40k miles/year | 40k+ miles/year | 2021 Honda CR-V with 35k miles = solid deal |
| 4-6 years old | 8k - 25k miles/year | 25k - 35k miles/year | 35k+ miles/year | 2018 Toyota RAV4 with 90k miles = inspect carefully |
| 7-10 years old | 7k - 20k miles/year | 20k - 30k miles/year | 30k+ miles/year | 2014 Ford Fusion with 140k miles = negotiate hard |
See that red flag zone? Bought a 2017 Chevy Malibu from there once. Transmission died within 6 months. Learned my lesson – high annual mileage without documentation equals trouble.
Brand Reliability: Your Mileage Survival Guide
This changed everything for me. Some brands laugh at high mileage while others crumble. Don't take my word for it – check these real-world thresholds mechanics actually respect:
- Toyota/Honda: 150k miles is middle-age with maintenance. Seen plenty hit 300k. My mechanic calls them "boringly reliable."
- Hyundai/Kia: Post-2015 models? Solid up to 120k miles. Earlier ones? Watch for engine recalls.
- Ford/GM: Trucks often tough (F-150/Silverado 150k+ possible). Sedans? Proceed with caution past 100k miles.
- European Luxury (BMW/Mercedes): Tread carefully. Repair bills can double the car's value after 80k miles. A friend's $2,500 BMW repair bill at 92k miles still gives me nightmares.
When High Mileage Doesn't Scare Me (And When It Should)
Surprise – I'd sometimes pick a well-documented high-miler over a shady low-mileage car. Here's my personal risk assessment guide:
Green Light High-Milers:
- Single-owner vehicles with binders of service records
- Highway-dominant mileage (engine stress is lower)
- Recent major services done (timing belt, water pump, transmission flush)
- Brands known for longevity (Toyota Land Cruiser, Honda Accord)
Run Away High-Milers:
- Rental/fleet vehicles (driven hard, minimal maintenance)
- Modified cars (tuning often strains components)
- Rust belt cars with high miles (double corrosion damage)
- German luxury without warranty past 70k miles
Your Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Wanna avoid my $1,200 transmission mistake? Print this and bring it to every viewing. These steps actually matter more than what is considered good mileage for a used car:
| What To Do | What You're Looking For | Red Flags |
|---|---|---|
| Paperwork Deep Dive | Service records matching mileage intervals, clean title history | Gaps in records, salvage title, mileage discrepancies |
| Fluid Check | Clean oil (not sludge), bright pink/red transmission fluid | Burnt smells, milkiness (head gasket failure), low levels |
| Test Drive Aggression | Smooth shifts, no vibrations, even braking, cold start behavior | Delayed shifting, pulling when braking, rough idling |
| Undercarriage Assault | Minimal rust, intact bushings, straight frame | Flaky rust holes, leaking seals, bent components |
Pro tip: Pay the $150 for a mechanic inspection. Found $800 worth of hidden suspension issues on a "clean" SUV last year. Best money ever spent.
Top 5 Used Car Deals By Mileage Tier
Based on mechanic forums and personal garage experiences:
| Mileage Range | Best Value Picks | Fair Price Range (2024) | Why They Rock |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60k - 80k miles | Honda Civic EX, Toyota Camry LE | $14k - $19k | Just out of warranty but plenty of life left. Timing belt usually not due yet. |
| 80k - 100k miles | Mazda CX-5 Touring, Subaru Outback 2.5i | $16k - $22k | Major services done if maintained. Perfect for families needing space. |
| 100k - 120k miles | Toyota RAV4 XLE, Lexus ES 350 | $13k - $18k | Luxury bargains. Lexus especially overbuilt. Verify timing belt service. |
| 120k+ miles | Honda Accord EX-L, Toyota Avalon XLE | $9k - $14k | Highway commuter specials. Run forever with basic care. |
Notice I didn't include any German cars here? That's intentional. Their repair costs spike dramatically in these ranges.
Mileage FAQ: What Real People Actually Ask
Is 100k miles too much for a used car?
Depends brutally on the car. A Toyota Tacoma at 100k? Barely broken in. A Nissan Altima with CVT at 100k? Ticking time bomb. Always combine mileage with brand reputation and maintenance proof.
How much should mileage affect price?
Rule of thumb: Every 1,000 miles shaves $150-$400 off value. But maintenance history can override this. I'd pay more for a 120k-mile Honda with full records than a 70k-mile version without any.
Can a car last to 200k miles?
Absolutely – if it meets these criteria: 1) Non-turbo engine 2) Japanese or American truck 3) Religious fluid changes 4) Mostly highway miles. My uncle's 2007 Tundra hit 278k before rust killed it.
What's worse: high mileage or old age?
Trick question! Neither. It's about neglect. A 15-year-old garage-kept Lexus with 50k miles can be golden. A 5-year-old abused rental with 80k miles is scrap metal. Judge condition, not just numbers.
Red Flags That Trump Any Mileage Number
Walk away if you see these – they cost way more than any "good mileage" discount:
- Rust Bubbles on wheel wells or rocker panels (structural cancer)
- Milky Oil Cap (head gasket failure - $2k+ repair)
- Transmission Slipping between gears (rebuilds start at $3k)
- Flood Title Brands (electrical problems forever)
- Modified ECU Tunes (means it's been driven hard)
Spot one of these? Run. Seriously. I ignored a shuddering transmission once because "the mileage was so low!" That $4,200 rebuild still haunts me.
The Final Word: Beyond the Odometer Obsession
After helping dozens of buyers and making my own mistakes, here's the raw truth about what is good mileage for a used automobile: It's not a number. It's a story. That Carfax report showing 12 service visits at the same dealer? Better than low miles. The oil change stickers every 5k miles on the windshield? Gold. The owner who babied it in a garage? Priceless.
Focus less on hitting some arbitrary mileage target and more on proof of care. The sweet spot? Find cars where obsessive maintenance meets reasonable mileage for their age. That 2016 Camry with 110k miles and every receipt since new? That's what I call good used car mileage. Now go find your gem.