What Is Good Mileage For a Used Car?

A car can be considered to have good mileage if its annual mileage is lower than what the average car accrues per year. The average car is driven around 13,000 to 15,000 miles added each year. So, for example, good mileage for a six-year-old car might be about 72,000 miles or less.

But mileage alone doesn’t tell the full story when it comes to used cars. A car’s maintenance and repair history, age, make and model, as well as how it was driven, also help determine its longevity and value. Plus, cars on the road today are designed to last longer than they did in the past, which means that higher mileage doesn’t always indicate poorer condition.

A car’s mileage is the total number of miles it has traveled, which means it can indicate how much wear and tear a car has experienced and how reliable it might be, as well as influence a vehicle’s value and price. The higher a car’s mileage, the more repairs and maintenance it will likely need, which is important to take into account when shopping for a used car.

To find a car’s annual mileage, divide the total distance a car has traveled (typically, a car’s odometer displays this figure) by the car’s age in years. Again, a used car with an annual average at or below 13,000 to 15,000 miles could be considered as having good mileage.

Historically, cars have been thought to start deteriorating after reaching 100,000 miles. But newer technology has made it so that modern cars that have been well-maintained can last well past the 100,000-mile mark without needing extensive repairs. In particular, cars from brands known for their reliability can make it to 200,000 miles or more these days. What’s more, the average car on the road is 12.5 years old, which is up more than three years from the early 2000s, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

While mileage can be an indicator of a car’s longevity and condition, it should be assessed along with these other factors when shopping for a used car:

• Reliability: Look for makes and models from brands that are known to be dependable and that might require less repairs in the future. According to a 2023 Consumer Reports survey, top reliable brands include Lexus, Toyota, Mini and Acura. 

• Maintenance: Most cars have maintenance schedules in their owners manual that outline how often the car needs to be serviced. Regular maintenance such as oil and air filter changes, tire rotations and inspections are crucial for keeping a car in good condition. You can often find records of a car’s routine maintenance or repairs performed by a mechanic on its vehicle history report. Note that maintenance and repairs are typically recorded only if the car was serviced at a car dealership rather than an independent garage.

• Driving history: Two cars could have the same mileage, but how they are driven would have distinct effects on their condition. Cars driven in cities or through constant traffic tend to have more wear and tear on their brake pads and suspension compared to cars driven mostly on highways, for example. Similarly, cars used for ridesharing may deteriorate faster than other vehicles. Note that vehicle history reports usually highlight the ownership history of a used car.