What is Good Mileage for a Used Car?

When it comes to buying a used car, it’s not impossible to get one that feels like it’s brand new, but this usually depends on two things - age, and mileage. Young cars with low mileage are particularly desirable, and therefore tend to be more expensive. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at why mileage matters, whether low mileage is better than age, and what a good level of mileage is for a used car. 

Why does mileage matter? 

Generally, the higher the mileage, the more wear and tear you can expect on a car. In a buyer’s eyes, this can mean repairs in the not-too-distant future, which is why high mileage can reduce a car’s value considerably.  

It’s also worth considering what sort of mileage a car has done, if you’re able to find out. If it’s been driven around town a lot, chances are it’s been in stop-start traffic, which can take its toll on the gearbox, and the clutch if there’s one present. 

Mileage history may be harder for a vehicle retailer to provide in comparison to buying privately, but a full service and repair history may be able to reassure you about any repairs that have recently been done. 

What is good mileage for a used car? 

On average, cars should travel around 10,000 miles a year, but many will say that anything over 7,500 is nudging the car into ‘high mileage’ territory. Anything over 10,000 per year is definitely considered as high mileage. 

Therefore a good way to work out whether a used car you’re looking at has good mileage for its age is to multiply its age by 10,000. If the odometer shows more mileage than that, it’s not doing so well for its age, but if it’s significantly under, it’s considered good mileage for a used car. 

It’s important to weigh up the good mileage a car has with the way it’s been maintained. Low mileage without a service history is no good to you, as the wear and tear avoided by venturing out less is negated by the damage that neglecting the maintenance can do. 

Is low mileage better than age? 

In a word - yes! A young car with more miles on the clock than average for its age will be suffering the wear and tear associated with high mileage, such as worn tyres, brakes and suspension parts. 

Age doesn't equate to repairs in the same way as mileage, so an older car with low mileage will still be enjoying the longevity of its parts - something far more appealing to drivers than a younger number plate. 

Should you buy a car based on mileage alone? 

It will probably come as no surprise that we’d never recommend buying a car on mileage alone. Take the time to investigate a car’s service and repair history, the health of its vital parts, and the features that it has on board, comparing with others within your price range to work out if it’s a good deal. 

Find a low mileage used car in East Anglia at EMG

With over 500 used cars in stock across our dealerships in East Anglia, many of the models that we’re proud to present are yet to hit their stride, with very few miles on the clock. Buying your next used car doesn't mean inheriting high mileage, as our extensive selection can prove. 

Talk to us at EMG about our low mileage used vehicles - we’ll be only too happy to show you what we’ve got. We have branches in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Hertfordshire - find your local EMG branch today.