What Is Good Mileage for a Used Car?

Hannah DeWitt
· 4 min read
Buying a
used vehicle
is often confusing and stressful. It’s hard to determine which factors to weigh more heavily when judging the car’s quality, and it’s difficult to suss out what might be wrong with a car just by looking at it. That’s why it’s good to do your research ahead of time on what a used car’s specs should look like depending on its age and mileage.
But what is “good” mileage for a used car? Vehicles with over
100,000 miles
on them used to be considered past their prime, but according to
JD Power
, advances in vehicle technology may have pushed the number up to around 200,000 miles.
Older vehicles with over 100,000 miles on them used to be considered past their prime.

Good mileage for a used car

As manufacturers use more and more electronic parts in their new cars, high mileage has become less of an accurate indicator of a used car’s quality. Now, cars can last for up to 200,000 miles with few issues. Cars with mileage at or below this number could still be great choices as long as they haven’t had any major or consistent problems.
However, mileage is not the only determiner of quality. Maintenance is also a key part of judging a used car.
Most cars have maintenance records that show when they had been serviced and what service they received. Well-maintained cars can be equipped to last for up to 200,000 miles, but without regular service, a car can deteriorate very quickly.
Age is another indicator of a car’s well-being. An older car is more likely to have changed hands multiple times, which affects maintenance records and could suggest recurring issues.
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Vehicle age is also significant

MORE: Used Car Shopping: Consumer Reports Says to Pay More Attention to Vehicle Age Rather Than Mileage
Age can be just as important to take into account as mileage, as it can affect the meaning of a car’s mileage, how well maintenance is documented, and what shape the systems are in.
New technology
means that cars are built to last longer. A car from 2005 with 150,000 miles and a 2016 model with the same mileage will be in different conditions. However, older cars tend to have less complex mechanisms, making them easier and less time-consuming to fix than some newer cars.
Old cars with abnormally low mileage can also be an issue. This would mean the car likely sat unused for long periods of time, which can cause rust, drained batteries, clogged fuel lines, and other maintenance problems.
This is why newer used models can be a safer choice, regardless of their mileage. Older models might be cheaper, but you can quickly lose any money you’d save if they weren’t well-maintained. 
Newer models will also have more safety and comfort features. The newer the model, the longer it’s likely to last.

Other important factors to consider when shopping for a used car

Whatever used car you intend to buy, there are a few things to always keep in mind. Make sure to ask about the car’s service log so you can see how often it received maintenance and what work was done. Yearly oil changes are especially important for upholding the quality of the engine, and brake pads also need replacing every 30,000 to 70,000 miles.
Certified pre-owned cars are a great choice for a straightforward car-buying experience. This title means that the car is five years old or younger with less than 50,000 miles on it. It also means that it's been consistently serviced by a dealership, so there should be no surprises.
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