"Low mileage" is one of the most overused phrases in used-car adverts, and "high mileage" is the most feared. Neither means much without a reference point.
Every MOT records the car's odometer reading, so we can see what real cars have actually done. Across 33,060,042 car MOTs in 2024, here is the average mileage at each age.
Average mileage by age
Average odometer reading at MOT by vehicle age, cars, 2024. "High" is our rule of thumb: a third above the average, rounded. Source: DVSA MOT test data.
Cars slow down as they age
A young car does about 11,000 miles a year on average, often because it is a company car or someone's main car with a long commute. By ten years old the average has dropped to about 8,000 a year, and by fifteen to about 7,000. After that, the average levels off at around 112,000 miles. The old cars still on the road tend to be second cars and weekend cars that do few miles.
When high mileage is fine
Mileage tells you how far a car has gone, not how well it has been looked after. A high-mileage car can be a sensible buy, usually at a lower price, when three things line up.
A full service history
Regular servicing at the right intervals, with receipts. On high-mileage cars, look for evidence that the big jobs were done on time, such as the cambelt on engines that have one.
Clean recent MOTs
Few advisories, and none that keep repeating. A car that has passed its last few MOTs cleanly at high mileage is proving it is well kept. Our free MOT history check shows every result and advisory.
The right kind of miles
Long motorway runs are far easier on a car than short trips: fewer cold starts, gear changes and brake applications per mile. Ask the seller how the car was used.
When low mileage is a warning sign
Very low mileage for the age is not automatically good. A car that sat still for long stretches can have perished tyres, seized brakes and a tired battery. And a mileage that looks too good can be fake: our analysis found one in every 112 cars with enough history has readings that do not add up. Read how to tell if a car is clocked, and run any car you are considering through our free mileage check.
Common questions
Is 100,000 miles too many?
Not by itself. The average car passes 100,000 miles at about 13 years old. A 100,000-mile car with a full service history and clean recent MOTs can be a better buy than a 50,000-mile car that has been neglected.
Is low mileage always good?
No. Very low mileage for the age can mean a car that sat unused, which is hard on tyres, brakes, seals and batteries. It can also be a sign the mileage has been wound back, so check the MOT history to see the readings rise steadily.
Are motorway miles better than town miles?
Generally yes. A car that cruised on motorways has done far fewer gear changes, brake applications and cold starts per mile than one used for short town trips. A high-mileage car with a long commute behind it can be in better shape than its number suggests.
How do I check a car's mileage is genuine?
Every MOT records the odometer reading. Our free mileage check lines them up and flags any drop or implausible jump. Compare the latest reading with the dashboard and with the service history.