A vehicle can be considered low mileage if it has traveled less than 15,000 miles.
Low mileage can also mean that a vehicle has been driven fewer miles than normal for its age. Thus, a vehicle’s mileage can be relative to its age.
Odometer readings can be altered, so consider other factors, such as the car’s condition, service history, and how it’s been treated.
As long as the odometer reading is accurate, there’s no hard limit to how many miles is too little. However, if the mileage seems unusually low, then you might have to ask a mechanic to check the odometer first. You can also review the vehicle history and inspect the car’s interior and exterior to better ascertain its condition.
A car’s mileage refers to the number of miles it’s been driven. The more miles on a car, the more problems it’s likely to have.
Low-mileage vehicles are generally more desirable because they look newer and have less wear and tear on their parts. Many used car dealerships use “low mileage” to market vehicles as like new. However, there isn’t a specific definition or threshold that makes a vehicle low mileage. A vehicle can be considered low mileage if it has traveled less than 15,000 miles.
Low mileage can also mean that a vehicle has been driven fewer miles than normal for its age. Thus, a vehicle’s mileage can be relative to its age. For example, a 5-year-old car with 20,000 miles can still be considered low mileage because the average insurance companies generally consider a yearly mileage of fewer than 7,500 miles to be low mileage. The 5-year-old car has driven significantly less compared to what’s expected of a 5-year-old car.
A vehicle can be considered low mileage if it has traveled less than 15,000 miles, or as long as the vehicle has been driven fewer miles than normal for its age.
Mileage and age have various effects on a vehicle’s reliability, and they might not be connected. The number of miles driven by a vehicle has a direct impact on the health of the engine and suspension, which are typically in need of a serious overhaul after accumulating thousands of kilometers.
The environment where the vehicle was driven can also affect its reliability. A vehicle that’s primarily driven in an urban area will exhibit significantly greater wear and tear compared to one that’s mainly used on a smooth highway. Furthermore, vehicles that had dedicated owners that regularly serviced them and made fast repairs will be better.
Ignore the Odometer
The odometer reading should also be verified because this can be altered. That’s why it’s also important to consider factors such as the condition of the car, its service history, and how the car has been treated. Some cars might have low mileage because they had a significant issue preventing them from being driven.
We recommend verifying the vehicle’s drivability with a test drive. You should also hire a mechanic to look at the vehicle and verify that there isn’t much wear and tear. Sometimes even low-mileage vehicles can have hidden issues that might show symptoms down the line.
It is also important to consider factors such as the condition of the car, its service history, and how the car has been treated.
Consider Its Lifespan
Most vehicles have an expected lifespan of around 200,000 miles. If your vehicle has traveled 50,000 miles, you can expect it to last another 150,000 miles. When eyeing a vehicle model, you should check CarComplaints.com to verify whether the year model has any prevalent issues. This website rates vehicles based on the number of user issue reports. Vehicles can be categorized as “pretty good” or “avoid like the plague,” depending on the number of reports.
What’s Good Mileage on a Used Car?
The average car owner drives around 12,000 miles each year. To determine whether a used car has reasonable mileage, multiply 12,000 by the car’s age. For example, if you find a used car that’s 5 years old, it should have around 60,000 miles on it. If its actual mileage is higher than that, then some of its parts might start malfunctioning in the near future.
How Many Miles on a Used Car Is Too Little?
As long as the odometer reading is accurate, there’s no hard limit to how many miles is too little. However, if the mileage seems unusually low, then you might have to ask a mechanic to check the odometer first. Reviewing the vehicle history report can also help clarify things, as a 5-year-old car with just 5,000 miles is fairly possible.
You can also look for clues on the car’s interior and exterior to see if the low mileage makes sense. For example, a vehicle that’s rarely driven should only have a few scratches and dents, with little wear in the interior.
What Does Mileage on Cars Mean?
To put it simply, a car’s mileage refers to the number of miles it’s been driven. The more miles on a car, the more problems it’s likely to have. Because of this, mileage is often used to determine how worn the vehicle is.
However, keep in mind that mileage is just one of the many factors that can affect a vehicle’s condition. Age and regular maintenance can also affect its lifespan. Furthermore, today’s technology has made modern vehicles much more reliable. Some can even last over 200,000 miles with proper maintenance.
Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.
The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
