How Many Miles Is Good for a Used Car?

Good mileage for a used car typically falls between 12,000-15,000 miles per year of the vehicle’s age^[1]. A five-year-old car should ideally have 60,000-75,000 miles on the odometer^[2]. However, maintenance history often matters more than mileage alone—a well-maintained vehicle with 150,000 miles can outlast a neglected car with 50,000 miles^[3].

Understanding the 12,000-Mile Rule

The 12,000-mile annual benchmark emerged from insurance industry data and remains the most reliable assessment tool for used car buyers^[1]. The Federal Highway Administration confirms Americans drove an average of 13,500 miles per year, making this figure a practical baseline^[4].

This benchmark works because it indicates:

• Regular but not excessive vehicle use
• Proper maintenance intervals were likely followed
• Avoids problems from both underuse and overuse
• Aligns with manufacturer warranty calculations
• Matches typical lease mileage allowances^[1]

Modern vehicles routinely exceed 200,000 miles with proper maintenance, making traditional mileage concerns less critical than they once were^[1]. The key lies in understanding how mileage relates to overall vehicle condition rather than treating it as an absolute limit.

For buyers financing a used car purchase, understanding credit requirements and insurance requirements for financed vehicles is equally important.

Mileage Ranges by Vehicle Age

The following table provides practical targets based on the 12,000-15,000 mile annual average:

Vehicle Age	Excellent	Good	Average	High Mileage Alert
2 years	Under 20,000	20,000-30,000	30,000-35,000	Over 40,000[1]
3 years	Under 30,000	30,000-45,000	45,000-50,000	Over 60,000[1]
5 years	Under 50,000	50,000-75,000	75,000-85,000	Over 100,000[1]
7 years	Under 70,000	70,000-105,000	105,000-120,000	Over 140,000[1]
10 years	Under 100,000	100,000-150,000	130,000-150,000	Over 180,000[5]

Prime Used Car Zone (4-6 Years Old)

Vehicles aged four to six years represent the sweet spot for used car value^[1]. Target 12,000-15,000 miles per year for these vehicles, which places them at 48,000-90,000 total miles. This range offers:

• Peak value proposition with significant new-car premium already depreciated
• Modern features including safety technology
• Certified pre-owned eligibility on many makes
• Remaining factory powertrain warranty on some vehicles

Budget-Friendly Zone (7-10 Years Old)

Older vehicles with 15,000-18,000 miles per year can still represent good value^[1]. Higher mileage becomes more acceptable in this age range because:

• Purchase price drops significantly
• Focus appropriately shifts to maintenance history
• Major service intervals become the critical evaluation factor
• Well-documented vehicles often run reliably past 200,000 miles

Why Maintenance History Matters More Than Mileage

Consumer Reports notes that a well-maintained vehicle with 100,000 miles can be a better choice than a poorly maintained car with less mileage^[5]. When evaluating any used car, prioritize:

Service Records

• Consistent oil changes at manufacturer-recommended intervals
• Brake replacements documented
• Transmission fluid services completed
• Timing belt/chain replacement records (if applicable)

Major Service Milestones

• 60,000-mile services completed
• 100,000-mile inspections documented
• Suspension component replacements noted
• Coolant and brake fluid flushes performed

Cars lacking service documentation present higher risk regardless of displayed mileage. Dealership service departments maintain computerized records that can be printed upon request^[3].

For more guidance on evaluating used vehicle condition, see our article on what happens when your car is totaled but still drivable.

High-Mileage Vehicles: What to Know

Mileage Ranges and Expectations

Mileage Range	Typical Condition	Best Candidates	Key Considerations
75,000-100,000	Well-maintained, prime years	Most brands	Verify major services completed[1]
100,000-150,000	Good with proper care	Japanese brands	Timing belt/chain status critical[1]
150,000-200,000	Selective purchasing	Diesel trucks, proven models	Professional inspection mandatory[1]
200,000+	Enthusiast territory	Legendary reliability models	DIY maintenance skills beneficial[1]

Brands That Handle High Mileage Best

Certain manufacturers build vehicles that routinely exceed high mileage thresholds^[6]:

• Toyota – Known for reliability even when neglected; many models reach 300,000+ miles
• Honda – Similar longevity reputation; Accord and Civic commonly exceed 200,000 miles
• Lexus – Toyota reliability with luxury features
• Subaru – Head gasket issues aside, engines and AWD systems prove durable

Forum owners consistently recommend Toyota and Honda for high-mileage purchases because they keep going even if maintenance was inconsistent^[7].

What to Check Before Buying

Pre-Purchase Inspection Essentials

A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is worth every dollar^[8]. The inspection should include:

1. OBD-II scan – Reveals stored trouble codes and emission readiness status
2. Compression test – Indicates engine health on high-mileage vehicles
3. Transmission behavior – Test all gears for smooth engagement
4. Suspension inspection – Check for worn bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends
5. Fluid condition – Dark or burnt transmission fluid indicates neglect
6. Undercarriage rust – Regional concern in salt-belt states

Questions to Ask the Seller

• Has the timing belt been replaced (if applicable)?
• When was the last transmission service?
• Are maintenance records available?
• Have any major components been replaced?
• Why is the vehicle being sold?

For comprehensive vehicle history, services like Carfax provide accident reports and ownership history that complement physical inspection^[9].

Mileage vs. Age: Which Matters More?

Both factors influence vehicle condition, but they affect different components:

Mileage primarily affects:

• Engine and transmission wear
• Brake system components
• Suspension parts
• Drivetrain components

Age primarily affects:

• Rubber seals and gaskets
• Hoses and belts
• Battery lifespan
• Plastic interior components
• Electronic systems

A low-mileage vehicle that sat unused for years may have degraded seals, cracked hoses, and a dead battery. Conversely, a higher-mileage vehicle driven regularly may have well-lubricated components in better working order^[10].

The ideal balance is a vehicle driven regularly (avoiding prolonged storage) with average annual mileage and documented maintenance.

For buyers evaluating how long different makes last, see our guides on Audi longevity and Honda Accord years to avoid.

Extended Warranties: Should You Buy One?

Consumer Reports experts generally advise against purchasing extended warranties on used cars^[3]. Most people are better served by setting money aside for eventual repairs, as extended warranties tend to cost more than they pay out in repair coverage^[3].

Instead of warranty costs, budget for:

• Pre-purchase professional inspection ($100-$200)
• Maintenance catch-up if records are incomplete
• Emergency repair fund ($1,000-$2,000 reserve)

Key Takeaways

• Target 12,000-15,000 miles per year of vehicle age as the baseline for good mileage^[1]
• A five-year-old car should have approximately 60,000-75,000 miles^[2]
• Maintenance history matters more than odometer readings—request service records^[3]
• Toyota and Honda handle high mileage best among mainstream brands^[7]
• Always get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic^[8]

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. CarComplaints.com. (2025). Audi A4 Complaints by Model Year. https://www.carcomplaints.com/Audi/A4/
2. RepairPal. (2025). Audi A4 Reliability Rating. https://repairpal.com/reliability/audi/a4
3. Autvex. (2025). Audi A4 Years to Avoid: Complete US Buyer’s Guide.

   Audi A4 Years to Avoid: Full Buyer’s Guide

4. SlashGear. (2024). The Most Reliable Years For The Audi A4, And Some To Avoid. https://www.slashgear.com/1704721/audi-a4-years-reliable-avoid/
5. FIXD. (2025). Best & Worst Years of Audi A4 – Graphs & Owner Surveys. https://www.fixdapp.com/car-reviews/best-worst-years-of-audi-a4-graphs-owner-surveys/
6. Reddit r/AudiA4. (2024). B8 A4 2.0 possible oil consumption solution.

   B8 A4 2.0 possible oil consumption solution
   byu/BobColorado inAudiA4

7. Reddit r/whatcarshouldIbuy. (2021). What Audi A4 year do you recommend?

   What Audi A4 year do you recommend?
   byu/ryanmile inwhatcarshouldIbuy

8. CoPilot. (2024). Which Years Of Used Audi A4s Are Most Reliable? https://www.copilotsearch.com/posts/most-reliable-year-model-of-the-audi-a4/
9. Garage Services Bromley. (2024). Audi A4 Problems: Common Engine Issues and Solutions. https://garageservicesbromley.com/blog/audi-a4-problems-common-engine-issues-and-solutions/
10. What Car. (2025). Used Audi A4 – 2015-2024 Reliability & Common Problems. https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a4/estate/used-review/n888/reliability