Buyers often rule out cars over a certain mileage, then end up paying more for a lower mileage car that has been looked after far worse. Mileage is only one part of the picture.
The average is about 10,000 miles a year
Use that as a rough benchmark. A five year old car with 50,000 miles is average; 30,000 is low and 80,000 is high. What matters is whether the servicing has kept pace with the miles.
Motorway miles are easier miles
A car that has done 90,000 steady motorway miles will often be in better mechanical shape than one that has crawled through 40,000 miles of town traffic. Clutches, brakes, gearboxes and particulate filters all suffer far more in stop-start use.
Check the MOT history online: it shows mileage year by year, so you can see how the car has been used and whether the readings are consistent.
What to check on a higher mileage car
Look for recent cambelt or chain work, a clutch that bites cleanly, no smoke on start-up, and even tyre wear. Ask what has been replaced recently — a car with new suspension, brakes and tyres has had money spent in the right places.
We list mileage, service history and MOT status on every car, so you can weigh it up before you travel.
- mileage
- service history
- running costs