What is a good mileage for a used car?
As a general rule, you should assume that the average car owner puts 12,000 miles on a car each year. To determine whether a car has reasonable mileage, you can simply multiply 12,000 by its age. That means good mileage for a car that’s 5 years old is 60,000. Given that number, the average 10-year-old car should have roughly 120,000 miles on the odometer. You can use these numbers to determine if the car you’re looking to buy is considered to have high mileage or low mileage for the age of the vehicle. Usually, the fewer miles that a car has been driven, the better.Vehicles with over 100,000 miles were once thought to be nearing the end of their life. However, advances in automotive technology have shifted this perspective. Many modern cars can last well beyond 100,000 miles with proper care, and some brands like Toyota and Honda are known for regularly exceeding 200,000 miles.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.How Many Miles Are Too Many for a Used Car? When it comes to determining how many miles are too many for a used car, there isn’t a hard-and-fast rule.On average, most car engines are designed to last between 150,000 to 200,000 miles. However, with the right care, many engines can last much longer, even up to 300,000 miles or more. In fact, there are numerous stories of vehicles reaching the 500,000-mile mark with their original engine still intact.
Which car gives less problems?
According to a recent study by Consumer Reports, Toyota and Lexus were the most reliable vehicles in 2022. After Japanese cars, BMW was ranked third, while Mercedes’ reliability was rated the lowest. In the US, Toyota is the most trusted car brand for longevity, with 44% of consumers believing its vehicles last the longest. Honda (32%) follows, while Ford and Subaru, each at 21%, also rank highly.Toyota and Honda models are often considered to be the safest older cars, as both manufacturers have a long history of producing reliable and safe vehicles. The Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Honda Accord are all good options if you’re looking for a safe car that is also reliable.The most dependable models—such as those from Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, and Toyota—have received high reliability ratings in various categories. Notably, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, and Lexus NX Hybrid rank among the most reliable vehicles in the 2025 Consumer Reports survey.The most reliable models—from Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, and Toyota—have earned top reliability scores across a number of categories. For example, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, and Lexus NX Hybrid are among the most reliable models in this year’s survey.Based on the experiences of readers who own a car made in the last five years, Mini ranks as the most dependable car brand, but is closely followed by Lexus, Suzuki and Honda.
Which brand is most reliable for older cars?
Toyota and Honda models are often considered to be the safest older cars, as both manufacturers have a long history of producing reliable and safe vehicles. The Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Honda Accord are all good options if you’re looking for a safe car that is also reliable. The optimum age range for purchasing a used car is commonly recognized as falling between 2 to 5 years old. Within this timeframe, a car has traversed the steepest part of its depreciation curve while still maintaining relatively new and well-maintained conditions.A car that is more than 10 years old may lack modern safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, or advanced airbag systems, which are becoming standard on newer models. If safety and technology are priorities for you, then a vehicle older than a decade might not meet your needs.
What is the best age to buy a used car?
The sweet spot for used car buying is typically between 2-5 years old. During this period, cars have already undergone the sharpest depreciation (about 20-30% in the first year alone), making them significantly more affordable than a brand-new model. Cars are usually reliable for up to five years if they’ve been looked after. But a well-maintained 10-year-old car could be a better investment than a newer model that hasn’t been cared for as well. Budget is also a major factor. The older the model, the lower the cost.In many cases, a high-mileage vehicle that’s been meticulously maintained can outperform a lower-mileage car that has been neglected. Age is another key consideration when buying a used car. Older cars may have outdated technology, less fuel efficiency, and more potential for rust or cosmetic wear.Second hand cars from £5,000 to £10,000: Reliable picks With a budget of £5,000 to £10,000, you’re in a strong position to find a well-maintained second hand car that offers solid value. Expect a wide choice of practical and reliable models ready for their next owner.Buying a second-hand car that is up to five years of age might be preferable. Nonetheless, it also depends on the car’s condition, how it was being maintained, history of accidents, kilometers driven, etc. With all the servicing procedures pursued properly.
What is the life expectancy of a used car?
A conventional car can last for 200,000 miles. Some well-maintained car models will reach 300,000 or more miles total. The average passenger car age is currently around 12 years in the United States. Choosing a well-built make and model can help extend your car’s longevity. So, what is a good mileage for a used car? 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.Quick answer – this really depends on the price and the service history of a car. Some cars may be at the end of their useful life due to poor servicing and questionable build quality at 160,000kms – others might still be going strong at 300,000kms.So are our expectations when it comes to cars and engine mileage. Still, the engine mileage life expectancy of cars today is 200,000 miles, which for most drivers is typically around 10 years.Miles: Major services (timing belt, transmission fluid) loom. Miles: Modern cars can exceed this, but budget for repairs. Miles: High risk unless it’s a Toyota, Honda, or meticulously maintained.Generally, 12,000-15,000 miles per year is considered average. A higher mileage usually means more wear and tear, with parts like brake pads and batteries needing to be replaced.