Mileage can be a big factor if you're buying a used car, and although it isn't as big a consideration when leasing (as pretty much all lease cars are new, so you don't have to worry about past mileage), it's still important.
You want a car that's going to last with the least mechanical problems over the terms of your lease, right? Depending on how far you plan to travel on a daily or a weekly basis, you might also want one that's best-suited to high mileage in the first place. We'll also be giving you some tricks on how to get the best mileage out of it.
Your ticket to the high-mile club awaits!
What is Considered High Mileage?
As a general rule, 6,000 to 13,000 miles per year is considered 'average'. Anything above that is on the higher end of the scale.
You might think that the average car travels around 10,000 miles per year, but in 2020 the figure stood at just 6,800 miles. That was partly due to the constraints imposed by the Coronavirus pandemic and an increase in remote working, but even in 2019 the figure was still only 7,400 miles. By contrast, the average car in 2002 travelled 9,200 miles.
Covering a lot of miles isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, cars that are used regularly are often in better shape than ones which stay inactive on the driveway or pavement for days on end. Assuming that it has been properly serviced and maintained, most modern vehicles can travel over 200,000 miles in their lifetime without experiencing too many problems.
Modern cars really do go the extra mile.
Did you know? The current Guinness World Record holder is a 1966 Volvo P1800 with around three-and-a-quarter million miles. The next two closest vehicles are a 1976 Mercedes-Benz 240D and a 1979 Volvo 245 GL with 2.85 and 1.63 million miles respectively.
Warranty
Unfortunately, high mileage generally has implications for wear and tear and your warranty.
Essentially, the warranty covers anything considered to be a manufacturing defect that's not the fault of the driver.
The warranty does not cover:
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Anything wear-and-tear related
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Anything down to driver fault
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Anything caused by the driver failing to maintain the vehicle as per the manufacturer's guidelines
The length of the warranty will vary by manufacturer. It's also dependent on two things:
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Lease length
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Mileage
High mileage can equate to higher maintenance costs. So even if you land yourself a high mileage deal for cheap monthly payments, it might still end up being quite expensive. To make things easier, why not take a look at our maintenance-included deals?
Average Car Lifespan
In the past, the average lifespan of a car was significantly lower than it is today. That's thanks to better parts, better design and, well, better everything really.
Of course, not all fuel types are created equal, and they each have varying lifespans.
Provided that it's well-looked after, the average lifespan of a petrol car is around 11-14 years or 200,000 miles. The average diesel car lives even longer, at around 30 years or 1,000,000 miles. Electric cars, meanwhile, live for an average of 10 years or 100,000 miles before hitting the bucket.
The car make may even have a part to play. If it's a fact that Japanese people live the longest, then you might not be surprised to learn that their vehicles do as well. According to this report, cars built by Japanese manufacturers are at the top of the list for lifespan and longevity.
Best Cars for High Mileage in the UK
Traditionally, diesel cars have typically been seen as more reliable and durable than their petrol counterparts and therefore more suited to higher mileage, and that's still true for the most part today. Plus, diesel vehicles have what's called a diesel particulate filter fitted, which means that you need to run them at high speed on the motorway every so often in order to prevent the filter from clogging up.
Nowadays, electric cars are also a good high-mileage option. They contain very few moving parts, so there's a lot less that can go wrong mechanically. Plus, rapid chargers at motorway service stations allow you to top up to 80% range in the same amount of time that it takes to drink a coffee. Electronic systems generally endure less wear and tear than traditional mechanical systems and tend to perform more efficiently.
To some degree, it can depend on the specific vehicle as well, as not all cars are created equally. A number of makes and models are known for their longevity, whilst others are known for having recurring problems (like, say, Alfa Romeo). So do your research and due diligence, choosing a better-built car which is going to last you for the long haul.
The Volkswagen Passat, for example, appeals to long-distance drivers thanks to its mix of fuel economy and comfort. Meanwhile, a Tesla Model 3 or a Model S is a good electric option for aspiring high-milers.
What Problems Can Arise with High-Mileage Vehicles?
Higher mileage generally equates to more wear and tear, and you may need to replace brake pads or batteries after a certain number of miles.
The car itself can sometimes be more important than the high miles, as its components may cause different problems. For example, because of their heavy usage in lower gears, cars used by city workers are more liable to transmission failure. They are constantly driving at lower gears, and very rarely in higher gears.
Often, maintenance failures will also occur when transmission failure occurs. Many towns and areas may induce a greater need to repair brakes, clutch and steering wheel. Water pump malfunctions can cause engine overheating to cause a serious problem.
How Can I Make My Car Last Longer?
We've talked about how the fuel type and car model can determine how good a vehicle is with mileage, but your driving habits and how you maintain the car also play a key role.
Choose vehicles with the most efficient and intelligent systems. Features such as automatic crash detection, emergency brake assist, parking sensors, and drowsiness detection can help prevent accidents. If there are less collisions, your vehicle is obviously going to do better. If your car is damaged in an accident it is different, of course that might not be your fault. Either way, there's a chance your mileage efficiency is going to suffer as a result.
Choose a Good Mechanic
A good mechanic is worth their weight in gold. Not only will they help you get better fuel economy and be able to analyse your driving habits, they'll also help you to stick to your maintenance schedule.
Remember, it's a free market, so shop around and find one who knows their stuff.
Maintenance Schedules
While most of us aren't particularly fond at the thought of it, it is much safer to spend at least an hour each month on this. Routine maintenance, tune-ups, tire rotations, the changing of brake pads and other checks can help prevent surprises by stopping problems before they become too serious.
Keep Your Engine Clean
Do this at least once each year. Over the course of time, it's very possible that the engine could become contaminated by dirt and other pollutants whilst your vehicle is running. This could affect the vehicle's engine temperature and cause damage to the system, reducing lifespan.
To help prevent this, get in touch with your mechanic and find a good fuel pump cleaning agent that will fix any problems which may occur.
Address the Little Things
Whenever you notice an odd smell, sound or sensation in your vehicle, don't ignore it and brush it under the carpet. Deal with it, get it fixed, do what you have to do.
After a lot of time spent in the driver's seat, you know the way your car is supposed to feel better than anyone. When it tells you that something is wrong, listen.
Vehicle Management Systems
You might not have heard of this one, but it's basically similar to putting your vehicle on an automatic diagnostic medical device 24/7 around the clock. Vehicle management systems can help you get better fuel economy, analyse your driving habits (including speed and braking force) and help you to stick to your maintenance schedule. Like safety systems, vehicle management systems are becoming more and more standard as the years go by.
FAQs
How many miles is too much for a car?
Generally, anything beyond 16,000 miles over the course of a year, or around 220,000 miles over the course of a lifetime (unless it's an electric car) could be considered too much mileage.
Can a car last 400000 miles?
Yes, although it may depend on the specific car. Just don't expect it to run flawlessly without running into any mechanical issues.
Is 200k miles too much?
Modern vehicles are generally able to travel around 200,000 miles without any major problems and should be maintained properly for good service. It depends on how many miles the average person drives each year, but it would usually take around 15 years to get to that kind of mileage.
How long does a car last on average?
You can expect a standard car to last around 200,000 miles, or an electric car to last around 300,000 miles.