Is the Mileage Too High? What Used Car Mileage Actually Tells You

High mileage is one of the most misunderstood factors in used car buying. The UK average is around 9,000 miles per year - but whether high mileage matters depends on the car, its service history, and the type of miles driven. Here's how to read it properly.

The UK mileage average

The UK average is approximately 9,000 miles per year (down from around 12,000 pre-pandemic as remote working reduced commuting). This means a 5-year-old car with 45,000 miles is exactly average. A 5-year-old car with 25,000 miles is significantly below average; with 80,000 miles, it's well above.

When high mileage matters - and when it doesn't

The quality of mileage matters as much as the quantity. Motorway miles are far less damaging than stop-start city miles - a car that's done 120,000 mainly motorway miles (a previous sales rep's car, for example) will often be in better mechanical condition than one with 60,000 urban miles. Motorway driving puts less stress on clutches, brakes, gearboxes and suspension.

The other key variable is service history. A high-mileage car with a full stamped service history and clear evidence of regular oil changes is often a better buy than a low-mileage car with an incomplete history. The service history tells you how the car was treated; the mileage just tells you how far it went.

Mileage and price: how much should it matter?

In the used car market, every additional 10,000 miles typically reduces a car's value by 3–8% relative to the same car with average mileage, depending on the model and age. For a £12,000 car, that's roughly £400–£1,000 per 10,000 miles above average. Below-average mileage commands a similar premium - but buyers often overpay for "low mileage" without checking whether the car was actually well maintained.

Red flags to check

• Mileage inconsistency: Compare the current mileage to the MOT history. If the car shows 42,000 today but had 40,500 on its MOT two years ago, something doesn't add up. This pattern - called clocking - is illegal and relatively common on cheaper used cars.
• Suspiciously low mileage for age: A 10-year-old car with 18,000 miles is unusual. It may be accurate (genuine low-use car), but it warrants investigation. Check the service intervals align with time rather than mileage (some manufacturers recommend annual servicing regardless of miles).
• Wear inconsistent with mileage: Worn pedal rubbers, a shiny steering wheel rim, or heavily worn seat bolsters on a "low mileage" car suggest the odometer may not tell the full story.