average mileage of a used car
5 minutes

In the UK, a car travels 20 miles on average per day, 142 miles per week, 617 miles per month, and 7,400 miles per year.

A high-mileage vehicle can drive a new car if adequately maintained throughout its life. However, the likelihood of a breakdown with a high-mileage car is increased.

Before we can tell you at what mileage cars begin to have problems, we need to understand what we mean by high car mileage and how to get a car mileage check. Vehicles with 100,000 miles on the odometer are classified as high-mileage vehicles. The typical annual miles of a vehicle are between 10,000 and 15,000 miles. If you suspect that the mileage reading on the odometer is incorrect, you can clear your doubts by performing a mileage check on your vehicle.

A vehicle with five years on it should have 60,000–70,000 kilometers on the odometer. There are many advantages to keeping a car for that long, including potential financial savings. According to Carousel Preowned, some people believe that driving a car for so long can save up to $30,000 or even more. But ultimately, everything comes down to you, Your driving habits and your expectations from your car.

What is ethical mileage for a used car?

The ethical mileage of a used car depends on the year, make, and model it was manufactured. Typically, a vehicle clocks 12,000 miles yearly, meaning five-year-old vehicles with 60K miles on the odometer are low-mileage cars. Anything above the average comes under high mileage and may pose the following issues.

  • Transmission failure occurs on about 100,000 miles
  • Require a new battery
  • Need new brake pads
  • Need a fresh pair of tyres
  • Fuel pump failure usually occurs when you regularly drive on a low tank of gas
  • Water pump failure, which typically occurs between 60,000 to 90,000 miles
  • Timing belt change close to 60,000 miles
  • High-mileage oil replacement is likely mandatory after a specific interval.

How accurate are car mileage monitors?

Because a car’s mileage depends on many factors like weather, road condition, frequency of spotlight, and mostly on your driving behavior, we can never estimate the accurate mileage of any vehicle. However, we can rely on a car mileage monitor for real-time feedback.

Conversely, if you are in the market to buy the most economical used car, you must research to pick the best mileage car. Clocking is frequent in the used car market; however, you should perform our car mileage check to identify mileage anomalies.

Be Aware of anything older than 12-15 years or 150,000 Miles

Now that we’ve gotten the variables Now that’s out of the way, let’s explore the “issues” that your car may encounter as it ages and accumulates miles.

The truth is that what becomes a problem is entirely up to you. Tyres, brakes, wiper blades, belts, ball joints, boots, and filters, for example, are frequently cited as having problems as your car’s mileage increases, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. According to our internal data, most cars driven at around 15k miles per year reach 150,000 miles with no significant issues.

Depending on the climate, common repairs include air conditioning, suspension issues, brakes, and some undercarriage rusting. However, problems accumulate as these vehicles approach 175-200,000 miles. Around this time, it’s common for domestic (and some foreign) vehicles to require a complete transmission or engine repair.

Expect some electrical issues & problems with the heater core, suspension, and other components such as brake lines, your exhaust, and so on.

Why is mileage check UK critical in avoiding used car scams?

Mileage check is critical in avoiding used car scams in the UK for several reasons:

  • Preventing clocking scams
  • Verifying the vehicle’s condition
  • Assessing the car’s value
  • Identifying discrepancies in documentation
  • Building trust and confidence

Overall, a mileage check in the UK is critical in avoiding used car scams as it helps you detect clocking fraud, verify the vehicle’s condition, assess its value, identify discrepancies in documentation, and build trust during the buying process.

It’s essential to ensure you make a well-informed decision and avoid potential financial and legal repercussions associated with purchasing a fraudulent or misrepresented vehicle.

 

average car mileage

 

Best vehicles in the UK for high mileage

Diesel vehicles have traditionally been regarded as having the finest engines for getting excellent gas mileage. Long-distance drivers, for instance, are drawn to the Volkswagen Passat due to its blend of comfort and fuel efficiency. 

Historically, diesel engines have been viewed as more dependable, long-lasting, and suitable for high mileage than petrol engines. But some electric vehicles are excellent choices for drivers who log many miles. 

An electric car has extremely few moving components, so there are fewer potential problems. Additionally, rapid chargers at highway service stations allow you to top up to 80% of the range in the time it takes to brew a coffee. 

High-mileage drivers might consider a Tesla Model 3 or Model S due to the Tesla Supercharger network, which is so easy to use.

Should a car’s mileage be changed?

While it is legal to change car mileage in the UK, selling the vehicle without telling the buyer is unlawful. However, people still clock the odometer and sell their cars without informing the buyers.

Car clocks have been on the rise for the last few years. The simple reason for this is getting a higher price for the vehicle. According to an estimate, if you wipe out 60k miles from a car’s odometer, the vehicle’s price will increase by £2,000-£4,000.

Car analytics reports that one in 10 cars checked in the past has a mileage anomaly. It means the chances of you purchasing a clocked car are very high these days.

The only way to avoid a clocked vehicle is by taking our car mileage check for free or a paid car mileage check.

What are the dangers of purchasing a used car with low mileage?

An older vehicle with low mileage may appear enticing, but it has been sitting for a long time. Corroded hoses and rubber tubing might occur if an automobile isn’t operated regularly. A car that has only been used once a week to go to the store will not have adequately warmed up, which can cause problems.

A low-mileage car with a highly worn steering wheel or numerous stone chips could have had its mileage ‘clocked,’ which means the odometer has been tampered with to indicate a lower mileage total than the true one. Inconsistencies in the mileage on the vehicle are another red flag.

Can I buy a car with high mileage?

There’s no reason to immediately disregard a car with slightly higher mileage than you’d prefer. Whenever a car is beyond three years old, it’s crucial to look at its service history and MOT history. It is valid for any used vehicle but more accurate for cars with higher miles.

A full-service history and invoices show that the car has been well cared for, while a recent service & a long MOT should reassure you that it is in proper working order.

When you rent a car, do you pay for mileage?

To reserve a car, you must pay for mileage. It could be unlimited mileage for a flat charge or a per-mile-driven fee. The unlimited mileage comes with a higher rate and is best suited for a cross-country holiday.

However, you can save some money by pounds with a per-day mileage cap. What is best depends on how many miles you plan to cover daily in the car. For instance, if you intend to clock 150 miles daily, you can save some pounds by selecting a vehicle with a mileage limit.

 

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