Should You Buy a Used Car with 500,000 miles on the Odometer? (2024)

FAQs

Should You Buy a Used Car with 500,000 miles on the Odometer? ›

Yes, you can buy a 500,000-mile used car, provided…

What is considered high mileage on a car? Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.

When purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, the miles it has traveled are important. However, it's not the only factor to consider. The condition of the car is the most important factor. A vehicle with less than 100,000 miles and a service record with regular maintenance are ideal.

On average, a car should have around 10,000 miles per year. So, for an easy way to calculate how many miles on a used car is too much, just multiply its age by 10,000. For example, a five-year-old car would ideally have 50,000 miles or less on its odometer.

In conclusion, while it's a good idea to consider both the age of a vehicle and the mileage on the odometer, how it was maintained is the key.

A conventional car can last for 200,000 miles. Some well-maintained car models will reach 300,000 or more miles total. The average passenger car age is currently around 12 years in the United States. Choosing a well-built make and model can help extend your car's longevity.

Finding a four-year-old car with 50,000 miles on it can be a great deal, as it means that the driver used it a little less than average, and it could have more life left in it. However, you should be a bit wary of vehicles that are a decade old with only 50,000 miles to show for it.

60,000-70,000 miles: Most manufacturers' powertrain warranties expire in that range, and the second major maintenance is scheduled to occur. Selling before reaching those benchmarks will get you a better price for your car than selling afterward.

The optimal time to purchase a used car is typically between 2 to 5 years old. Within this age range, the vehicle has already experienced the most significant depreciation, yet remains relatively new and in good condition.

Cars older than eight to 10 years will be a riskier option, depending on the driving and maintenance history, while vehicles over 15 to 20 are usually nearing the end of their service lives.

Can a car last 500k miles? ›

The current quality of high-mileage used cars ultimately comes down to its maintenance. A 500,000-mile used car or truck has obviously seen its fair share of wear and tear but if the damages wear repaired immediately and the parts were changed when they were supposed to, the vehicle is bound to survive long.

Luxury brand Lexus gets ranked first, with models like the 2023 Lexus GX proving to be the most reliable. They are also doing well in the hybrid model section.

A new car “could have zero miles on it theoretically and still be used” says Mark Holthoff, senior editor at online car dealer Carvana. “Conversely, some cars sit on the lot and are used for test drives. It might have 5,000 miles. That's considered a new car.”

There's no rule to how many miles on a used car is too much, but by attempting to stick to the 12,000 miles per year rule is a great place to start. Find out how old the car is, multiple the number of years by 12,000, and if the number on the odometer is significantly higher than that, some concern might be warranted.

As a general rule, most vehicles begin to seriously degrade at around 150,000 miles. It is considered rare, and therefore outstanding longevity, if a car reaches 200,000 miles on the road. That said, there's more to identifying good versus bad mileage on a used car than just the odometer reading.

The best model year to buy a used car would be the 2012 model, when superb safety features entered the auto industry and redefined cars. These features include electronic stability control, side curtain airbags, and backup cameras. In addition, newer cars have better mileage, thus helping your long-term savings goals.

As a general rule, most vehicles begin to seriously degrade at around 150,000 miles. It is considered rare, and therefore outstanding longevity, if a car reaches 200,000 miles on the road. That said, there's more to identifying good versus bad mileage on a used car than just the odometer reading.

Some makes and models are inherently more robust than others. Certain brands have a track record for producing vehicles that can easily surpass the 100,000-mile mark without breaking a sweat. However, truly ANY car can be reliable if it's been well-maintained and doesn't have a history of major issues.

If a vehicle is 10 years of age, it should have between 120,000 miles and 150,000 miles on the odometer. If a vehicle has accumulated substantially more miles or fewer miles, an inquiry related to this should be investigated.

If you would like to drive your next used car for five years, for example, you'll want to find a car that has at least another 75,000 miles of expected life ahead of it. With that in mind, a good mileage range for a used car would be between 75,000 and 100,000 miles, since many cars last beyond the 150,000-mile point.