If your motor has a higher mileage than most cars of its age and type, this will reduce its resale value, on top of any value loss caused by depreciation, damage, and regular wear and tear.
So, if you're planning to sell your car, it’s good to know how your mileage could affect the price you get for it.
In this guide, we’ll take a detailed look at the relationship between mileage, depreciation, and value.
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How does a car’s mileage affect its value?
Generally, the more miles a car clocks up, the more value it will lose. If your car has a higher-than-average odometer reading for its age, you can expect to lose a chunk of value.
Your car could lose yet more value if key components have become damaged due to long-term wear.
You can find out your car’s current value by entering its age and mileage into our free car valuation tool. Remember to provide details of its condition and history to ensure an accurate valuation.
Why does mileage affect car value?
A high mileage often indicates more wear and tear, which reduces resale value. Conversely, many buyers believe low mileage cars present a lower risk of mechanical failure, which means they can sell at higher prices.
However, it’s important to note that a high mileage car can hold its value better than a similar but poorly maintained motor with fewer miles on the clock, especially if it has a full service history.
Cars typically experience the most depreciation over the first few years. This value loss can be further exacerbated if you clock up a very high mileage during this time.
Although many drivers have reservations about buying a high mileage car, you can boost your car’s appeal by keeping up with its servicing and maintenance schedule – and taking it to a mechanic promptly when you notice any issues.
How much value is lost per 1,000 miles?
According to car industry valuation data, the average internal combustion engine (ICE) car loses around £670 in value per 1,000 miles driven - or 67p per mile.
The average EV depreciates at a slightly more favourable rate of £550 per 1,000 miles -or 55p per mile.
However, the exact value loss per 1,000 miles can vary significantly, depending on your car’s make and model.
At which milestones do cars lose the most value?
Industry data shows that most cars will experience significant value loss between 10,000 and 60,000 miles.
The steepest value drop typically occurs when cars pass the 20,000-mile mark - and they lose an average of 24% compared to their resale value at 10,000 miles.
Cars will see a further drop once their odometer reaches six figures. At the 110,000-mile mark, they experience an average value loss of £879.
After this point, the mileage depreciation curve tapers off.
At 13,931 miles, the car is approaching the critical 20,000-mile mark, where it will face a significant depreciation drop.
How does mileage affect car parts?
Here’s a quick explainer on how mileage affects different car parts:
| 🔧Part | ⚠️Effect of high mileage | ⏳ Replacement milestone |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | A high mileage will put an increased strain on the valves, cylinders, and pistons, which can compromise engine performance. | Most modern engines can last for 200,000 miles, providing the car is well maintained. However, diesel engines can last for 500,000 miles or more! |
| Transmission | Components such as the gears and seals will eventually wear down, leading to difficulties shifting gear – and increased risk of fluid leaks. | Manual gearboxes last around 120,000 miles on average – but this figure may be higher or lower depending on how well the car is maintained and your driving style. |
| Suspension | Key suspension components such as the shocks and struts will wear and degrade over time, eventually causing shifting issues or fluid leaks. | Shock absorbers: Every 50,000 miles or more Control arms: Every 90,000 to 100,000 miles Ball joints: Every 75,000 to 150,000 miles Bushings: Every 100,000 miles If made from rubber, polyurethane bushings can last longer. Springs: May last for the vehicle’s lifetime. |
| Body | Paint fading, bodywork scratches, and rusting are common signs of wear and tear – but are often worse for cars with many miles on the clock. | Repairs may be necessary if you’re unhappy with your car’s appearance or want to boost its resale value before selling. |
| Tyres | Tyres gradually lose their grip over time, which compromises their performance and the safety of the car. | Every 20,000 miles, every 10 years, or when the tread reaches 3mm (whichever comes first). |
How do car mileage and depreciation affect car value?
A car’s value will depreciate year on year, irrespective of the mileage driven, with the starkest value loss occurring in the first year. Depreciation will continue steadily thereafter, before slowing significantly at the 8-10 year mark.
If a car has a particularly low mileage and is generally in good condition, it may sell for more than an identical car with an average mileage. Conversely, a car with a high mileage will typically sell for less than others of the same model with fewer miles on the clock.
What is the ideal mileage for a used car?
According to Department for Transport (DfT) data, in 2023, the average car mileage across petrol, diesel, and hybrid powertrains was 7,567 miles.
If a car has clocked up less than 10,000 miles per year, many drivers consider this to be an ‘ideal’ mileage. Any car that has covered over 20,000 miles per year, can be considered ‘high mileage’, regardless of its powertrain type.
We’ve created a helpful table to help you determine what a ‘good’ mileage for your car’s age:
Car age in years |
Average total mileage |
Ideal mileage |
|---|---|---|
1 |
7,567 |
< 10,000 |
2 |
15,134 |
< 20,000 |
3 |
22,701 |
< 30,000 |
4 |
30,268 |
< 40,000 |
5 |
37,835 |
< 50,000 |
6 |
45,402 |
< 60,000 |
7 |
52,969 |
< 70,000 |
8 |
60,536 |
< 80,000 |
9 |
68,103 |
< 90,000 |
10 |
75,670 |
< 100,000 |
Please note: This is intended as a rough guide only. Average mileages differ slightly between powertrain types.
Diesel vs petrol mileage: Comparing mileage differences between diesel and petrol cars
The latest DfT data from 2023 revealed a difference in average annual mileages between powertrains. The average annual mileage for petrol cars was approximately 6,100, whilst cars with diesel and hybrid powertrains travelled around 8,300 miles.
This table shows the approximate average mileages for these powertrains at various age intervals:
Car age in years |
Petrol |
Diesel |
Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
6,100 |
8,300 |
8,300 |
2 |
12,200 |
16,600 |
16,600 |
3 |
18,300 |
24,900 |
24,900 |
4 |
24,400 |
33,200 |
33,200 |
5 |
30,500 |
41,500 |
41,500 |
6 |
36,600 |
49,800 |
49,800 |
7 |
42,700 |
58,100 |
58,100 |
8 |
48,800 |
66,400 |
66,400 |
9 |
54,900 |
74,700 |
74,700 |
10 |
61,000 |
83,000 |
83,000 |
Mileage differences by car type
The lifetime mileage for a car can vary considerably depending on factors such as its make, model, and how well it’s cared for. However, we’ve put together a guide with ballpark mileages for popular car types:
| Car type | Expected mileage | Average annual mileage | Longevity and reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚙SUV | 200,000 to 300,000 miles | 12,000 to 18,000 miles | Sturdy construction, can navigate uneven terrain, and carry heavy loads with ease. |
| 🚗Saloon | 200,000 miles | 10,000 to 15,000 miles | Usually dependable, providing the recommended service and maintenance schedule is followed. |
| 🏔️4x4 | 200,000 miles (or longer for certain heavy-duty models with off-roading capability). | 15,000 to 20,000 miles | Offers good durability and longevity. |
| ⚡EV/hybrid | Expected to last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles. | 10,000 to 15,000 miles | Less maintenance, longer intervals between services, but can be expensive to fix if problems arise. |
| 💎Luxury car | Modern luxury cars can last around 200,000 miles with good care and maintenance. | 8,000 to 10,000 miles | Needs specialist maintenance. Repairs and part replacements are often expensive. |
Frequently Asked Questions
The odometer in a ‘clocked’ car has been deliberately modified to reduce the mileage reading, usually to increase its perceived value and saleability.
Whilst ‘clocking’ a car is not technically illegal, selling that vehicle without disclosing the mileage discrepancy is against the law.
- An irregular mileage interval on MOT or service documents.
- A reported mileage appears to ‘fall’ from a previously recorded figure.
- Wear and tear beyond what you would expect for your car’s purported mileage.
You can check the MOT history of any UK-registered vehicle with our free car history check tool. Pay attention to the mileage recordings for each MOT in the vehicle’s history.
Many cars are ‘clocked’ in the hope that buyers will take the revised odometer reading at face value. Once mileage tampering occurs, a car’s true market value will fall and it may be harder to sell, as knowledgeable buyers will likely pick up on the mileage discrepancy.
Whilst altering a vehicle’s odometer isn’t technically illegal, doing so with the intent to sell is against the law. If it is proven you have clocked a car for financial gain, or sold a car that is clocked without disclosing this, you can be prosecuted under the Consumer Rights Act.
An annual mileage of 10,000 or less is considered ideal by many second-hand buyers. To gauge the ideal mileage, simply multiply the car’s age in years by 10,000. For instance, when shopping for a three-year old car, many buyers would prefer 30,000 miles or less.
A car with a mileage exceeding 20,000 per year - or a lifetime mileage over 200,000 can be considered ‘high mileage’. Statistics from the Department of Transport revealed that in 2019, just 2% of cars travelled 21,000 miles or more – down from 6% in 2002.
High mileage cars are often sold at favourable prices – and providing they have been well cared for can make for a worthy investment. If you would like to sell your car, you can do so privately or through a car-buying website such as webuyanycar.
Some of the best cars for value retention at the three-year mark, include the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS (70%), Land Rover Defender (69%) and the Mercedes Benz G-Class AMG G63 (68%).
Reliability is a key consideration, especially if you need to make long trips on a regular basis. Models such as the BMW 3 Series, Toyota Corolla and Skoda Octavia have been feted for their long-term dependability as workhorses and company cars - even after a high mileage.