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How many miles is too many for a used car?
I want to buy a used car, but I’m on a budget. As such, the only cars I can find have super high mileage. I don’t want to buy something that’s going to immediately cause problems or die. How many miles does a good used vehicle have?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
How many miles is too many miles for a
used car
isn’t an easy question to answer. Many variables are at play, but if you want a general rule, 200,000 miles is probably too many miles for a used vehicle.Even modern cars with high-efficiency engines and high-quality parts tend to start reaching the end of their useful life around the 200,000-mile mark. That said, some Japanese and German vehicles have been known to run for 300,000 miles or more. But the devil is in the details.
Generally speaking, people drive cars for about 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. Multiply this number by the age of the car, and you can ascertain whether the car is over, under, or right on par with standard mileage.
Moreover, if the owner has detailed maintenance records, you can make an even more educated guess on whether the car is worth buying. As a failsafe, take the car to a trusted mechanic to get more insight into whether a high-mileage vehicle is worth the price or will be more of a hassle than you bargained for.
Whether you decide to buy a used car with 100,000 miles or something at the upper threshold, you still need a car insurance policy to get behind the wheel. That’s when
Jerry
can help.Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that will collect quotes from over 50 top-rated insurers in minutes. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy new insurance and cancel your old policy. Users save an average of $887 per year.
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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