How many miles is too high for a used car?
Determining if a vehicle has too much mileage depends on consistent belt and oil maintenance rather than an exact number on the odometer. Without this upkeep, older cars risk catastrophic engine, transmission, and electronic failures, or suffer from model-specific defects like severe oil consumption. Buyers often cannot decide on purchasing these vehicles because sourcing replacement interior parts online becomes impossible.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1researching exact year and model variations across engines and transmissionsDid this help you?
- 2relying on Consumer Reports for reliability ratingsDid this help you?
- 3managing minor issues like oil consumption proactively by checking levels and using specific additivesDid this help you?
- 4budgeting an estimated cost for repairs per yearDid this help you?
- 5Asking mechanics online for model-specific advice before buyingDid this help you?
- 6Committing to strict maintenance schedules for timing belts and oil changesDid this help you?
- 7Budgeting extra money for unexpected repairsDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I bought my ford fusion at 140,000 miles. It now has 195,000 miles.”source ↗
“some models have issues, for example Honda's famous oil consumption problems with sticking rings. (Like my two 2011 Acura MDXs both at 185k.)”source ↗
“Transmissions and engines are commonly the worst, but electronics, computers, emissions, brakes, oil leaks... all can end catastrophically if you don't maintain a car later in life.”source ↗
“if i maintain belt and good oil will everything be fine or is this to much km for this specific car?”source ↗
“i cant decide beetwen that or smart 2008 diesel 0,8.., what is a drawback for me in smart is that is 166tkm and there is no interrior seats parts and so on to order online for decoration”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 21How to tell if brake pads and rotors actually need replacing