RegVerdict — vehicle intelligence
Buying

What is a good mileage for a used car?

RegVerdict guide·6 min read·Reviewed 17 June 2026

What counts as high or low mileage, how to weigh it against age, and how long cars really last.

Mileage is the first thing most buyers look at, and the most misunderstood. The number on the odometer matters, but only alongside the car's age, its service history and how those miles were put on. A low figure is not automatically good, and a high one is not automatically bad.

What counts as average mileage

UK cars cover roughly 7,000 to 8,000 miles a year on average. Multiply that by the car's age for a quick benchmark: a three-year-old car around 21,000 to 24,000 miles is typical, a ten-year-old around 70,000 to 80,000. A car well below its expected mileage has done less work; one well above has done more. Neither is a problem on its own, it just tells you what to check.

Why low mileage is not always better

  • Short trips are hard work. A car that only does brief, cold runs never gets fully up to temperature, which is tough on diesel particulate filters, batteries and engine oil.
  • Things perish with age, not just use. Tyres, rubber hoses, brake fluid and belts degrade over time, so a low-mileage older car can still need them.
  • Flat spots and seized parts. Cars that sit for long periods can suffer with brakes, clutches and seals.

When high mileage is fine

A car that has covered steady motorway miles, with a full service history, can be in better health than a low-mileage car used only for the school run. Modern engines are built to last, and many reach 150,000 to 200,000 miles and well beyond. What matters is that the miles were done kindly and the car was looked after.

Service history beats the numberA higher-mileage car with a full, stamped service history is usually a safer buy than a low-mileage car with gaps. Ask to see receipts, cam-belt changes where due, and a consistent MOT record.

Check the mileage is genuine

Whatever the figure, make sure it is real. Every MOT records the odometer reading, so the MOT history gives you a mileage timeline going back years. The readings should only ever rise. A reading that drops, or a year with almost no miles followed by a jump, can point to clocking. RegVerdict cross-checks every reading and flags anything that does not add up.

Run a RegVerdict check to see the full mileage history and whether it holds together, then weigh the mileage against the car's age, history and our model reliability data before you decide.

Common questions
What is a good mileage for a used car?
As a rough benchmark, UK cars cover around 7,000 to 8,000 miles a year, so a five-year-old car with roughly 35,000 to 40,000 miles is about average. Below that is lower than average, above it is higher, but the figure on its own means little without the car's age, service history and how those miles were driven.
How many miles is too many for a used car?
There is no hard cut-off. The old worry about 100,000 miles is largely outdated: many modern cars comfortably reach 150,000 to 200,000 miles and beyond when serviced properly. A higher-mileage car with full history can be a better buy than a low-mileage one that has been neglected.
Is a low-mileage car always better?
Not necessarily. Very low mileage can mean a car has only done short, cold trips, which is hard on diesels and their filters, on clutches and on batteries, and tyres and brakes can perish with age rather than use. A car that has covered steady motorway miles can be in better mechanical health than a rarely-used one.
How long do cars last?
With regular servicing, many cars last 150,000 to 200,000 miles or more, and plenty go further. Lifespan depends far more on maintenance and how a car is used than on the badge. Diesels driven mostly on motorways tend to age well; petrol cars used for short urban trips work harder for each mile.
How do I check a car's real mileage?
Every MOT records the odometer reading, so the free gov.uk MOT history, or a RegVerdict check, shows the mileage over time. Readings should only ever rise. A figure that drops, or a long period with barely any miles, can be a sign of clocking. RegVerdict flags those mileage anomalies automatically.

Check before you commit

Enter a registration for an instant, evidenced verdict on mileage, MOT history and known faults.

Keep reading
Write-off categoriesWhat Cat A, B, S and N actually mean, whether the car is safe to buy, and how hard to negotiate.Car clockingHow odometer fraud works, the tell-tale signs, and how to check a mileage history for rollbacks.Outstanding financeWhy money still owed on a car can become your problem, and how to protect yourself before you pay.

← All guides