When you’re buying a used car, mileage is one of the first things you consider. It shows how far the car has travelled and been used since leaving the dealership. Hence high mileage means it’s been used more and carries more depreciation… Right?
Well, it depends. You see, not all miles are created equal.
Depreciation depends on other factors. Things like how those miles were accumulated, the car’s brand and how well it’s been maintained.
So, should you buy a high-mileage car? Let’s look at what car owners and mechanics say:
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Highway Miles vs. City Miles
One of the most important things experienced car buyers understand is the difference between highway and city miles. When you see a vehicle that has put on 80 – 100k miles in only 3years, those are almost certainly highway miles.
💡 As one driver put it: “And highway miles are the equivalent of 10% of city miles”.
200 miles on the highway roughly may equal 20 miles driving in the city.
Why? Because at highway speed, your engine experiences less wear and tear than in city-style stop-and-go driving. At highway speed, all the vital fluids reach peak operating temperature. Even the catalytic converter, which gets hot enough to clean itself.
There’s no constant stopping and starting, hard braking, and frequent gear changes. Highway driving also means fewer bumps, potholes and traffic lights so less stress on parts.
Now compare that with a lower mileage vehicle with only 10k – 20k miles in 5years, but was only driven downtown. Constant braking, gear changes, and stop-start wear puts heavy stress on the engine and gearbox.
And because it drives such short distances, the catalyst never gets the chance to reach peak temperature. This could lead to clogging and reduced performance.
You can actually identify highway-driven cars during inspection. Just look closely for road rash on the bumper, or debris marks around the radiator, all clear signs of highway driving
The Make and Model Matters
Not all brands age well. A manufacturer’s reputation should guide your decision. Here’s what owners say when asked about the best makes and models:
- Japanese cars: Toyota, Honda and Subaru are built to last, with some vehicles reaching 300k – 500k with proper maintenance.
- German luxury cars: Great cars, awesome performance. But after 100k miles, they become money pits. The parts are rare, components are complex and costly. (Volkswagen is a good exception.)
- American trucks (GMC, Ford): The feedback on this is mixed. Some Ford and GMC cars run 250K–300K miles with only routine maintenance needed for brakes, tires, or alternators replacements. Parts are common and affordable.
Maintenance History: The Deal Maker
Maintenance is a factor you shouldn’t overlook, and is sometimes more important than the mileage.
A high-mileage vehicle with complete service records is better than a lower-mileage vehicle with unknown service history.
As one Toyota owner who bought his car with 178,000 miles noted, “It’s never seen a repair shop for any breakdowns in its past 8 years as it runs like a clock!”
Our 2-cent
If you have a high mileage car with a great deal that you feel might be too good to be true. Don’t stress too much and don’t disqualify the car just yet.
Look for the story behind the high mileage and history and only go for brands that are known to be reliable past that mileage.
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