WHEN buying a used car, does mileage matter? The answer is yes, BUT less than you think.
Search on Sun Motors and you’ll often see cars approaching (or even exceeding) 100,000 miles on the clock.
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In the past, you might have worried about such a high mileage, but modern cars can safely do many thousands more than that – as long as they are serviced, maintained and cared for.
How the car has been driven and maintained is more important than mileage.
A low-mileage car that’s been driven aggressively and with a patchy service record is going to be less reliable in the long run than a one-careful-owner car whose 100,000 miles have mostly been done on the motorway.
What’s a good mileage on a used car? It depends. Sun Motors’ experts will give you some insights into when to buy and when to walk away from a high-mileage used car.
We also feature some cars that will have no trouble achieving monster mileage.
What does the mileage on a car mean?
The mileage of your car is the total number of miles it has covered in its lifetime.
Every time you drive your car, the odometer is calibrated to calculate the miles you drive. It keeps a running total, which is your mileage.
What is a good car mileage for used cars?
The traditional rule of thumb was that a car was good for 100,000 miles for a petrol car and 150,000 miles for a diesel. Anything beyond that was considered high mileage.
You’ll still see this old myth peddled today online. But it’s not true. Today, modern cars are built to much higher standards and the engines and other components can last for much longer.
That means cars can – and do – go far, far beyond 100,000 miles.
As we’ve already explained, what’s more important than mileage is how a car has been driven, looked after, serviced, and maintained.
How can I check the mileage of a car?
You’ll find details of the car’s mileage on the dashboard. Most modern cars have a digital display, but some cars will still have a manual odometer.
You can call up any car’s MOT history, which will provide details of the mileage on the test date.
This is impossible to change and provides a comprehensive record. The car’s service book should also have details of mileage (if you can access it).
What’s the average mileage for a car per year?
The average UK driver clocks up between 5,000 – 8,000 miles each year, says the Department for Transport.
That means the average 10-year-old car should have between 50-80,000 miles on the clock. Of course, some will have done more and some much less. Use this as a general rule of thumb on mileage.
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Top 5 used cars with the highest mileage:
This isn’t a list of the world’s highest-mileage cars but instead a list of current cars that can rack up huge mileages without breaking down, wearing out or leaving you stranded by the side of the road in the rain.
Honda Civic
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Model: Honda Civic
Japanese cars like the Honda Civic are renowned for their quality, durability, and reliability.
The Civic is a great everyday runaround for commuters, school-run mums and dads, and drivers who want more time on the road and less in the garage.
Don’t take our word for it. Check out this online community of high-mileage Civic owners.
We need to find some negatives. The Civic doesn’t have the world’s biggest boot, and Parkers reports problems with the cooling system and smoking on start-up. Overall though, it’s a high-mileage car we’d bet on going the distance.
This 11-year-old Honda Civic hatchback has over 80,000 miles on the clock, which is barely broken in.
Suzuki Swift
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The Suzuki Swift is a great city car that’s capable of going for hundreds of thousands of miles with few problems.
It’s a compact and no-frills car, which all works in its favour. Fuel efficiency is legendary, too, with the Swift managing over 50mpg.
It’s not an uber-cool mini, like the MINI, but if you want a low-cost, high-quality car, the Swift is a safe bet.
(Don’t fancy the Swift? The Nissan Micra was our second choice here and is another legendary Japanese car that’s capable of many thousands of miles of trouble-free motoring.)
You can grab a (relatively) high-mileage 2021 Swift for a measly £7,995.
READ MORE USED CAR BUYING
Toyota Rav 4
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Model: Toyota Rav 4
We’re continuing the Japanese theme with the Toyota Rav 4, our pick of the best high-mileage SUVs.
A Rav 4 could last anything up to 250,000 miles, says Copilot. With some care, attention, and maintenance, it could do more.
All models of the Rav 4 are big, bold and spacious – ideal for growing families or drivers who just want a little extra legroom. We love the Rav 4 (XA50) models, including this 2015 Invincible.
VW Passat
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Model: VW Passat
We could have gone for the Golf, Polo or any of the other models, but every cost-conscious driver knows the VW Passat is capable of wracking up the miles.
Built by the German powerhouse, the Passat is the perfect family car. It’s spacious and comfortable, which is why so many are used to cover thousands of motorway miles.
The Passat is a little dull. When it comes to high-mileage cars, that’s a good thing. Nobody is revving at the traffic lights or racing a Passat.
It quietly goes about its work with brutal efficiency. Like all high-mileage motors, go for one with a full dealer service history.
You can get a saloon, but this 2018 Passat estate is the perfect car for big families. Business at the front, spacious enough for a kids’ party in the back.
Skoda Octavia
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Model: Skoda Octavia
The Skoda Octavia ( in particular, models with the ultra-reliable 1.9 TDI engine) are all confident mile munchers.
Like the Passat (its Teutonic cousin), it’s the opposite of cool, but that’s no bad thing.
The Skoda Octavia TDI Scout here is an enormously practical piece of engineering.
It’s affordable, stylish enough for the school run and business meetings, and big enough for a family’s worth of suitcases for the annual holiday.
The 4×4 Scout is a bit more rugged than your average Octavia. Add roof bars, a bike rack or a tow bar and you’re ready to go.
Buying a used car FAQs
Whether you’re buying a high-mileage runaround or a low-mileage sports car, here are some insights that might help you.
Is it OK to buy a car with high mileage?
A high-mileage car can be a good investment, provided it’s been cared for and driven carefully.
In fact, many buyers prefer high-mileage cars – especially those that have been regularly serviced and maintained – because they’re mechanically sound and available for sale at lower prices.
What to look for when buying a high-mileage used car
Be sure to do your research, ask questions and understand how the miles have been done and how the car has been cared for.
When buying a car through Sun Motors, for example, you can reach out directly to dealers and ask them questions.
Don’t be afraid to persist until you get the answers you want, and if you’re worried about a high-mileage car, trust your instincts and walk away.
Where possible, always test-drive a high-mileage car. You’ll be able to feel how the car drives and inspect the interior and exterior.
How is buying a used car from Sun Motors made easy?
Sun Motors takes the stress out of buying a car. No more trips to the dealership to be assaulted by salespeople, instead you can sit back and search thousands of makes and models from the comfort of your home.
When it comes to high-mileage cars, there’s no better place to buy than Sun Motors.
You can compare models and mileage. Once you’ve narrowed down your list, you can contact a dealer and ask them any questions you have.
All cars have been checked by experts to ensure that they’re ready for the road. Whatever make or model of car you’re searching for, you’ll find it cheaper at Sun Motors.
Buying a used car? Check out Sun Motors and find your next vehicle today. Whether you’re looking for automatic, manual or electric, use Sun Motors to decide on your next model.
