High Mileage Or Hidden Bargain? What You Need To Know Before Buying

Quick Summary: The Best Mileage For A Used Car

The "best" mileage for a used car is typically between 10,000 and 12,000 miles per year, as this represents a vehicle that has been used regularly without excessive wear. However, maintenance is more important than the odometer; a well-serviced car with 100,000 miles is often a better purchase than a neglected one with 50,000 miles. In 2026, modern engineering means many cars can safely reach 200,000 miles with proper care.

What Is The Average Mileage For A Car In The UK?

When you’re scrolling through car ads, your eyes probably jump straight to two things: the price and the mileage. It’s a habit we all have. We’ve been told for years that low mileage means a "fresh" car and high mileage means a "banger" that’s ready for the scrap heap.

To know if a car has "high" mileage, you first need to know what’s normal. According to the latest UK data, the average car now covers about 7,100 to 10,000 miles per year.

• Petrol Cars: Usually do fewer miles, averaging about 6,200 a year.
• Diesel Cars: Often used for long commutes, averaging around 8,300 to 12,000 miles.
• Electric/Hybrids: Often newer and used heavily for work, averaging about 8,000 to 9,000 miles.

If you find a car doing way more than 12,000 miles a year, it’s "high mileage" for its age. If it’s doing less than 5,000, it’s "low mileage."

How To Calculate If A Car’s Mileage Is "Good"

Don't just look at the total number; look at the age of the car. To align with how experts value vehicles, use this simple "Rule of Thumb" calculation:

Total Odometer Reading ÷ Age of Car = Average Annual Mileage

If the result is between 10,000 and 12,000, the car is in the "Sweet Spot." If a 3-year-old car has 45,000 miles (15k/year), it has been driven hard. If a 10-year-old car has 30,000 miles (3k/year), it might actually have hidden issues from sitting idle for too long.

Why High Mileage Isn't Always A Bad Thing

In 2026, cars are built differently than they were twenty years ago. A car with 100,000 miles on the clock isn't the death sentence it once was. In fact, where those miles happened matters more than the number itself.

Imagine two identical cars:

• Car A has 40,000 miles but spent its life doing 2-mile school runs in the city. That’s thousands of "cold starts," constant gear changes, and hitting every pothole in town.
• Car B has 90,000 miles but spent its life cruising on the M6 at 70mph. The engine stayed at a steady temperature, the brakes were hardly used, and the suspension had a much easier time on smooth motorways.

In many cases, Car B, the high-mileage one, will actually be in better mechanical shape. Modern engines are designed to keep going well past 150,000 to 200,000 miles if they are treated right.

The Golden Rule: Service History Over Everything

If you’re considering a car with high mileage, the most important thing you can do is look at the service history. A car with 110,000 miles and a folder full of receipts is a much safer bet than a car with 50,000 miles and no paperwork.

You want to see that the oil was changed every year and that "big" jobs have been done. For example, most cars need a cambelt (timing belt) change around the 60,000 to 80,000-mile mark. If you buy a car with 70,000 miles and the belt hasn't been done, you’re looking at a bill for hundreds of pounds straight away. If you buy one with 95,000 miles and the receipt shows it was replaced last year, you’ve just saved yourself a lot of grief.

How Mileage Affects Your Finance Deal

At Marsh Finance, we look at the whole picture. Mileage affects the value of a car… generally, for every 20,000 miles, a car loses about 20% of its resale value. Because high-mileage cars are cheaper to buy, they can actually be easier to finance if you’re on a tight budget. Your monthly payments will be lower because the "sticker price" of the car is lower.

However, if you are looking at a PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) deal, you need to be honest about how many miles you plan to do. If you tell the lender you’ll do 6,000 miles a year but you actually do 12,000, you’ll get hit with excess mileage charges at the end of the deal.

Quick Checklist Before You Sign

Don’t let a high number on the dashboard scare you off a great deal. Follow this checklist to stay safe:

1. Check MOT History: Use the free GOV.UK tool to look for "mileage discrepancies." If the miles go down between years, walk away—it’s been clocked.
2. Look For Wear And Tear: Check the driver's seat, the steering wheel, and the pedals. If they look worn out but the clock says 30,000 miles, something is fishy.
3. Ask About The "Big Three": Has the clutch, the cambelt, and the DPF (if it’s a diesel) been sorted?
4. Listen To The Engine: A well-maintained engine should sound smooth. Any tapping or heavy whistling from a turbo is a red flag.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Is The Maximum Mileage I Should Consider?

There isn't a magic number, but 60,000 is the "sweet spot" for freshness, while 80,000–100,000 offers the best bargains. Only go over 120,000 if the service history is perfect.

Are Motorway Miles Better For A Car?

Yes. Motorway miles are much easier on the engine, gearbox, and brakes compared to stop-start city driving.

Does A High-Mileage Car Affect My Insurance?

Generally, no. Your insurance premium is based more on the car’s value and your driving history than the odometer reading.

Is 100,000 Miles Too Much For A Used Car In 2026?

Historically, 100k was seen as a "deadline," but modern engineering has shifted the goalposts. At Marsh Finance, we regularly see vehicles with over 100,000 miles that remain in peak mechanical condition.

The key is the quality of care; a car with 100k miles that has followed a Full Service Schedule (usually every 12,000 miles) is often more reliable than a 50k-mile car that has missed its annual oil changes. We recommend looking for engines that have "stretched their legs" on motorways rather than those used for short, engine-taxing city trips.

How Can I Verify If A Car's Mileage Is Genuine?

Mileage fraud, or "clocking," is a serious concern. To protect yourself, always cross-reference the odometer with the official DVLA MOT history. By entering the registration on the GOV.UK portal, you can see the mileage recorded at every annual test. If you see a dip in mileage between two years (e.g., 60,000 in 2024 but 45,000 in 2025), this is a major red flag.

Check for physical wear that doesn't match the numbers, excessively worn rubber pedals or a shiny steering wheel on a "low mileage" car often tells the real story.

Does High Mileage Affect My Ability To Get Car Finance?

While mileage affects the car's market value, it doesn't automatically disqualify you from finance. In fact, high-mileage cars can be more affordable because the "sticker price" is lower, leading to reduced monthly repayments. However, lenders may have age and mileage limits at the start and end of the agreement (e.g., the car cannot be older than 12 years or exceed 100,000 miles at the start of a car finance agreement).

What are the "big" maintenance milestones I should look for? As a rule of thumb, specific high-cost parts are designed to be replaced at certain intervals. If you are buying a car around these milestones, check the service history for proof of work:

• 60,000–80,000 miles: Most manufacturers recommend a cambelt (timing belt) and water pump replacement.
• 80,000+ miles: This is typically when clutches or Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) may show wear.
• Annual Milestones: Ensure there is a "Full" or "Major" service stamp at least every two years or 20,000 miles.

Should I Be Honest About My Annual Mileage On A PCP Deal?

Absolutely. If you underestimate your mileage on a PCP agreement to get lower monthly payments, you will be liable for excess mileage charges (often between 8p and 20p per mile) when you return the car. At Marsh Finance, we encourage transparency; it's always cheaper to pay for a higher mileage allowance upfront than to face a large bill at the end of your contract.

Ready To Find Your Next Car?

If the car has been loved, looked after, and the price is right, those extra miles are just a sign of a motor that knows how to do its job. If you've found a high-mileage bargain or a low-mileage gem, Marsh Finance is here to help you get on the road.

Get your car finance budget today without impacting your credit score!