How Many Miles On A Used Car Is Too Much?

People frequently wonder how many miles on a used car is too much. It’s only natural to ask this question because we all care about mileage one way or another. We may convince ourselves that mileage is overrated, but the truth is, deep down we all get alarmed once the odometer displays a higher number.

Today we’ll figure out together how many miles is too many on a used car. That way, you’ll scrutinize your driving habits, pay attention to every trip, and avoid unnecessary travels. Plus, you’ll know which car is worth your money. Let’s get started and answer all of your questions!

Is mileage truly important?

Even though the mileage is an important indicator of the condition of the vehicle, it certainly isn’t the only thing you should pay attention to. People can sometimes overrate its significance and immediately neglect cars that have higher mileage. But it’s not as simple as that.

It’s quite difficult to speak generally here because the importance of mileage should be considered on an individual basis. I can tell you the approximate numbers so that you can understand how many miles is too many miles on a used car. But you shouldn’t apply that knowledge to every single scenario.

Below you’ll see that you should take high/low mileage with a grain of salt. High mileage won’t always mean that a car is worthless. Similarly, low mileage doesn’t mean that you’ve got yourself the best deal.

You can be cautious if you want to buy a used car, take a look at various options and decide accordingly, whether the mileage is a determining factor or not.

For now, let’s figure out how many miles is too much on a used car.

How many miles is too many on a used car?

It depends on the age and brand of the vehicle. We’ll talk about brands a bit later. We can concentrate on age for the moment.

You can calculate whether the mileage is too high or not yourself. You’ll just need to know the average mileage. For instance, if you drive 10,000 miles per year, then in 5 years your mileage will be 50,000 miles. That’s good mileage and won’t be considered as too much.

But if you drive 20,000 miles annually, then your car will hit 200,000 miles in 10 years. Such a car will be quite difficult to sell. But if you take good care of it, you’ll have more chances of selling it for a decent price.

How much is too many miles on a used car? – it’s a bit hard to say, but probably more than 250,000 miles. Such a car will be way over its lifespan and will, most likely, cause a lot of problems. Let’s face it – no one wants to buy a car that will die in a week or two. Neither are we willing to invest in something that will be too much of a headache.

Changing various parts every day will essentially cost way more than a decent car would.

Unless the mileage has surpassed that “extra” margin, you’ll probably be perfectly fine. Once again, if you aren’t greedy and fix everything that’s broken, you shouldn’t have any trouble selling a car with 150,000 – 200,000 miles. But in that case, you’ll have to know perfectly how to sell a used car. Those tricks will really come in handy with high-mileage vehicles.

We all understand that the mileage of a 10-year-old car will be somewhere between 120,000 – 150,000 miles. That stands to reason and I don’t think you’ll have any problems with that. The main thing is to keep your car in perfect shape.

How many miles is too many miles on a used car market?

I’d say 150,000 – 200,000 miles. Not because cars are worthless at that point, but because people tend to pay too much attention to the mileage. Buying/selling a used car is a tricky business on its own, and, unfortunately, mileage complicates everything even more.

As I have already mentioned, mileage isn’t the only thing that determines the condition of the vehicle. If you were passionate about your car, I’m sure you’d take really good care of it. I know people who clean the parts of their vehicles more frequently than their homes. The same goes for the exterior and interior, as well.

More often than not, you’ll notice that mileage doesn’t correspond to the condition of the car. I’ve seen too many cars with low mileage and a messed-up exterior. The odometer showed 50,000 miles, but the chassis of the vehicle had scratches all over it. I could’ve sworn it had been through the accident, but the seller refused to admit the truth.

How many miles on a used car is too many if you’re searching the market? – it depends on how much you’re willing to pay. If you’re on a tighter budget, then you shouldn’t expect a 3-year-old car with only 30,000 miles. Your best bet is probably something older with higher mileage.

But if money isn’t your concern, then it won’t be a bad idea to splurge for a younger option. Just make sure that you’re paying attention to the overall condition of the vehicle. Always double-check mileage (don’t trust the odometer) and make sure you’re not dealing with tampering.

Odometer fraud is quite widespread these days and it’s rather easy to deceive naïve customers. People sell cars with mileage discrepancy quite frequently. They might utilize the best odometer correction tools out there, making it harder to detect fraud.

But there are ways to conduct car mileage check to verify the mileage. Request reports, contact previous owners (if any), and evaluate the accuracy of mileage accordingly. Trust me, clocked odometers aren’t as easy to notice as they might seem.

How many miles is too much on a used car depending on the model?

Probably nothing less than 250,000 miles. I’ll be honest – it’s really hard to answer this question. Different brands have different longevity, and many of them could easily surpass the 200,000-mile margin.

How many is too many miles on a used car? – This question loses its importance when we look at brands such as Toyota, Honda, Lexus, Ford, Subaru, etc. They have proven to provide us with the most long-lasting models.

The experience of various customers shows that cars with these manufacturers can easily last you for a few years after they cross the 200,000-mile margin.

I own Ford Escape myself and I bought it when it had 180,000 miles on the clock. We’ve now surpassed 230,000 miles, but we’re fine. I won’t lie, I had to change the batteries and fix a thing or two. But that’s unavoidable even with brand new cars.

If you’re trying to figure out how many miles on a used car is too much, then you should consider the quality and reputation of the brand as well. If you come across a Toyota that’s in perfect condition, you shouldn’t let go of it.

You should never forget that cheaper doesn’t mean worse. Sometimes people might lower the price for amazing cars because they are in a hurry. Such deals are usually the best ones, and you should keep an eye on them if you’re looking for a used car.

But there’s one more thing to keep in mind – if two cars have similar age and condition, then you should go for the one with lower mileage. That’s the only rule of thumb here. The main thing is to evaluate the whole condition and avoid concentrating on the mileage only.

Mileage Blocker

As you can see mileage has an important role in our everyday life and hugely affects our monthly/yearly payments. That’s why the young team from Germany created a special gadget for you – a mileage blocker. It halts the KM/mileage recording process from all control units. As the information about the mileage is not stored in any control unites, this odometer stopper has an untraceable effect. To make your life even more comfortable it also has its own mobile application which enables you to access several features via your phone. Find out more about this innovative tool and choose the one for yourself.

Fortunately for us, the mileage blocker is available online and you can purchase it anytime. It has an easy installation guide for every car manufacturer so you don’t necessarily need to go to a special service centre. In case of any further questions, you can always contact the support team of the company.

Conclusion

I’m sure you won’t have any trouble figuring out how many miles is too many on a used car next time you search the market. Always remember that mileage isn’t the only thing you should look at. After all, it can be one of the most misleading things when it comes to vehicles. Examine the whole condition of the car and you’ll easily understand which one is better for your budget.

Don’t rush your decisions and give yourself some time to double-check the information provided by the seller. They can be deceitful and it’s not a bad idea to take everything with a grain of salt. Good luck!