With rising interest rates and the price of new cars soaring, many people are considering getting a used vehicle. Buying a used vehicle can be intimidating, with many people fearful of buying a vehicle that is going to have issues or breakdown. One of the factors many people try to rely on is vehicle mileage. But is vehicle mileage a true assessment of a vehicle’s lifespan? How many miles is too many for a used car? What is good mileage for a used car? In this article, we’ll answer these questions and more to get you informed about your next used car purchase.

What Qualifies As High Mileage?

There is no definite answer to this question. However, we can consider a few factors to arrive at a reasonable number. Firstly, one must consider the engine oil that has been used and how often it has been changed - this could be the difference between one car being a safe buy at 120,000 miles, and another being a risk. We’ve covered the importance of routine oil changes in previous articles, and we’ll highlight it some more below.

Engine oil manufacturers such as Valvoline, Mobil 1, and Pennzoil engineer oil for high-mileage vehicles. Valvoline makes a high-mileage oil for vehicles with over 75,000 miles and another oil for vehicles that have exceeded 150,000 miles. Pennzoil states their high mileage oil is formulated for vehicles with 75,000+ miles. Like Pennzoil, Mobil 1 specifies high mileage begins at 75,000 miles. Years ago, we'd say high-mileage begins after 75,000 miles. With the improvement of technology, engineering, and machining, these days, high mileage begins somewhere between 100,000 and 120,000.

Most high-mileage vehicles will be out of the warranty period. Learn more about the best warranties on the market here .

What To Consider When Buying A High-Mileage Car

Mileage is not the only factor you should consider when buying a used vehicle. Vehicle service history, driving style, vehicle design, vehicle type, the driving environment, and how the vehicle is being purchased all play a role in a vehicle’s longevity.

Service History

By far one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a used high-mileage vehicle is service history. Vehicles depend on routine maintenance, whether it's preventative or necessary. Services such as CARFAX are often complimentary from dealerships, but you can purchase a CARFAX for a private sale online. CARFAX is not the only way to retrieve service records. If the vehicle was regularly serviced at a repair facility, they will have records of the services performed. When purchasing a vehicle from a DIYer, service records may not be retrievable unless they keep a record on their own accord.

Driving Style

Some people drive their vehicle a little harder than others. If the vehicle was driven harshly, premature wear can occur. Suspension, brakes, and even the vehicle’s powertrain become more susceptible to wear under increased loads and temperatures. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to tell how a vehicle was driven by the previous owner. However, when purchasing a vehicle privately, sometimes the owner has a social media account that you can view to see if there are videos of the vehicle being abused. We’ve seen Facebook Marketplace listings of vehicles with videos of burnouts and launches. We’d recommend you avoid these vehicles if possible. Alternatively, you can pay a fee to have a used vehicle thoroughly inspected by a professional.

Vehicle Design

Some vehicle designs can increase the difficulty to work on and/or require expensive tools. Specialized labor costs and parts can drive repair costs up. This may cause some vehicle owners to forgo important maintenance or repairs. Engines, for example, can overheat, requiring head gasket replacement and/or machine work. We’ve seen plenty of people try to use chemical additives to repair blown head gaskets, none of which work effectively. This is a common repair that often leads vehicle owners to want to get rid of their car. Traditionally, inline four- and six-cylinder engines can be easier to work on, which helps maintain lower labor costs or makes it easier for a DIYer to maintain the vehicle. If you’re looking to try to avoid engine issues, see our article covering the most reliable engines.

When comparing high-mileage vehicles, some purchases may be safer than others. For example, a BMW with 200,000 miles would have needed more maintenance than a Toyota Camry with the same mileage. This does not mean you should avoid all luxury vehicles entirely or that the BMW, in this scenario, is not worth purchasing, but it should be one of the factors influencing your decision.

Vehicle Type

Some vehicles are just designed to withstand abuse and wear better than others. Pickup trucks and SUVs are a great example of this. With heavier steering, suspension, drivetrain, and powertrain, these vehicles are designed to handle increased loads. Subsequently, when they are not overworked, they make for exceptionally reliable vehicles that can last a very long time. Don’t avoid cars for this reason. There are plenty of reliable cars out there that are exceptionally well-built.

Driving Environment

The environment a vehicle is driven in can affect conditions. Whether the vehicle is driven at lower speeds and varying RPMs or on highways with higher speeds, the vehicle will experience different amounts of wear. Traditionally, a vehicle that is driven mostly on the highway will accumulate more miles but experience less wear due to smoother roads, consistent engine speeds, and less shifting. City and highway driving are not the only environmental factors. Dusty or sandy environments will require the engine’s air filter(s) to be replaced more often. Vehicles that are driven in areas that accumulate heavy amounts of snow may be more susceptible to rust and corrosion, while vehicles near the coast or ocean experience rust and corrosion due to the salt and air.

How Is The Vehicle Being Purchased?

If you are purchasing the vehicle with cash, you have full control of which vehicle you buy. Most financing companies will not deny a high-mileage vehicle as long as the loan-to-value amount is acceptable. If you are looking to finance a high-mileage vehicle, you’ll at least want to be sure the vehicle will last for at least the duration of the loan.

Pros And Cons For High-Mileage Vehicles

When debating between a lower mileage vehicle and a higher mileage vehicle, coming to a decision may be more challenging than initially expected. These pros and cons can assist you in comparing a similar vehicle with a higher mileage vehicle vs one with a lower mileage:

Popular High-Mileage Cars

We mentioned vehicle type being a factor in determining reliability and longevity. It’s no surprise that the top longest-lasting vehicles that are likely to exceed 250,000 miles are trucks and SUVs. The Ford F-350 is at the top of the list, followed by the Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Tundra. Honorable mentions from the list of sedans on the list are the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

Summary: High-Mileage Vehicles Can Be Worth It If You Do Your Homework

We covered a lot of information above. Hopefully, this can aid you in your search or decision for the purchase of a high-mileage vehicle. From our experience of all things cars, we can answer the question of how much mileage is too much for a used car. When financing a high-mileage vehicle, we wouldn’t recommend going for one with over 150,000 miles. When purchasing a high-mileage vehicle cash, we recommend staying in the 150,000 to 200,000-mile range. There are plenty of vehicles known to exceed 250,000 or even 300,000 miles. However, in our research, we’ve found the value of a vehicle begins to drop severely after 200,000 miles.