How Many Miles Is Too Much for a Used Car

If you’re trying to determine “how many miles is too much for a used car,” you’ll find many editorial or subjective opinions online. You should, however, use the best market-based data you can find. I’ve found a “secret” tool that’s free and not really a secret. It’s Carmax’s website and their “Sort By” filter that you can use to find the highest mileage they will allow for each make and model they offer to the public.

“How many miles is too much for a used car” is not one specific number but is a relative number you can use in comparing similar makes and models. For instance, I just did a check on luxury compact SUV’s and found that the highest mileage BMW X-3 that Carmax was offering had 60,000 miles while the highest for an Acura RDX was over 120,000. Carmax is the largest used car dealer, and they obviously view these two comparable vehicles differently.

[hotepanthony]

He definitely does answer the question.
Says it depends on the model, and that CarMax is a good platform to use as a baseline.

[jeffpolaras]

I could put 400k miles on a car and it still would be in better condition than my son in law putting 50 k miles on a car....

[Ismail-cmxs]

Thank you so much. I'm a 16 year old. Trying to get a daily driver.

[Joke]

'You never know how a car has been driven, and if it has been driven badly, it's better to pick it up at a low mileage.'', that's how people choose second hand cars. But a 110 000 mile car from a driver that provides time for the oil to heat up and drives in a decent manner is better than a 40 000 mile car from someone that doesn't take care at all. Former leasing cars are driven the latter way, mostly.

[will-dexg]

Maintenance is a huge factor! I've seen really bad sludge build up in engines were the owners thought it would be a good idea to change the oil in excess of 10, 000 miles or more. The truth is I would never take my car past 4, 000 miles, but 5, 000 can be passable, but it is the very limit. After that the oil is completely filthy and you might even be a bit low.

[rollytuason]

It's not the milege, but more of the condition of the vehicle. A high milege well maintained vehicle is better than a low milege abused vehicle. Older simpler cars tend to last longer bec they are easier to maintain than most modern complicated cars with low quality disposable parts...

[marcusfollosco]

if you know basic maintenance save lots of money.timing belt, head cylinder gasket, ball joints, tie rod,

[robertortega]

Hello Jay,
I have a 07 Toyota Prius with 278k
What do you think It still runs very good.

[thepredator]

Well it all depends on what kind of car u looking at for sports cars u dont wanna purchase with too many miles but toyota or honda for example u can purchase with high mileage because they are so reliable

[oggarage]

my 96 town car has 405, 000 miles original engine and trans I don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon it's my daily driver and still runs like a champ...MILES DON'T MEAN ANYTHING

[kaimanaalo]

I have a 2015 Kia Soul with 119000 miles runs like a champ

[christophervandroff]

Would it be a good purchase to buy a 2017 honda accord with 44, 000 miles on it? I am considering that car or a 2016 hyundai sonat with 28, 000 miles on it.

[jimmygrant]

Too many miles is when the car is not worth fixing that's when it has too many miles.

[kwadwolarbi]

hello Jay Norman, I'm interested in the Job opportunity you mentioned.

[slusheewolf]

I actually clicked this hoping for an explanation of mileage, "My car has 10, 000 miles on it!". I'm not a car guy (I fix computers instead lol) but from a video that gave me a dictionary definition, I believe it means amount of miles driven in the car, total, like literally ever since the car was manufactured. Is that correct?

[jamesdunn]

Commercial for Carmax. The answer is it depends. Maintenance history? Known recalls, defects, etcetera.

[DPIII]

Thank you for the video, rest in peace 🙏

[chrisj]

No amount is too many for any rear wheel drive Volvo with the red block motor. Mine has over 415K miles no rebuilds and as dependable as any 5 year old car.

[josephbriffa]

Too many miles is when the car becomes almost unsellable without incurring a gigantic loss because nobody will buy it

[lordalpo]

Is 90 000 bad or good on a 5 year Chevrolet impala ??