The Mileage Trap
“How many kilometres has it covered?” This is often the first question people ask when looking for a used car. It makes sense, as mileage appears to indicate how much wear a vehicle has experienced. However, the reality is far more complex.
Mileage is simply a number. Without context — including age, type of use, maintenance history and manufacturer — it tells you very little about the vehicle’s true condition.
Why Mileage Alone Is Not Enough
Consider these two scenarios:
Scenario A: Toyota Yaris, 2014, with 160,000 km. Its first owner mainly drove between Athens and Thessaloniki on the motorway, changed the oil every 10,000 km and followed the authorised dealer’s servicing schedule.
Scenario B: Volkswagen Golf, 2016, with 75,000 km. It was used exclusively for short urban journeys in Athens, often in heavy traffic, was serviced infrequently and has an unclear maintenance history.
Which car is likely to be in better condition? Quite possibly the first one — despite having covered more than twice the mileage.
How Many Kilometres Are Considered “Good”?
The following ranges may be used as a general guide for cars between 5 and 12 years old:
- Below 80,000 km: Excellent — relatively low wear and plenty of potential service life remaining
- 80,000–130,000 km: Good — normal for the vehicle’s age, provided it has been properly maintained
- 130,000–180,000 km: Acceptable — depends greatly on the make, model and maintenance history
- 180,000–250,000 km: Proceed with caution — best considered only for models with a proven reputation for durability
- Above 250,000 km: Requires an exceptional service history and an appropriately low purchase price
The Importance of the Manufacturer
Not all engines wear at the same rate. Some manufacturers have a proven reputation for producing vehicles with a longer service life:
- Toyota / Lexus: Known for engines capable of covering more than 300,000 km when properly maintained
- Honda: Reliable engines, particularly models fitted with naturally aspirated petrol engines
- Mazda: Excellent reliability, especially models produced after 2013 with Skyactiv engines
- Volkswagen / Skoda / SEAT / Audi: Dependable when properly maintained, although repair costs can be higher
- BMW / Mercedes-Benz: Premium quality, but potentially high repair costs at higher mileages
Urban Driving vs Motorway Driving
This distinction is crucial and is often overlooked. Urban driving, with frequent starts, stops, braking and low-speed operation, places significantly more strain on the engine, clutch and brakes than motorway driving. A car with 120,000 motorway kilometres may therefore be in better condition than one with 80,000 kilometres of city use.
How can you tell? Ask the seller how the car was used. Inspect the condition of the brakes and interior. A service history may also show more frequent brake, clutch or oil-related work on a vehicle mainly driven in urban conditions.
The Importance of Maintenance
A car with relatively high mileage and a complete, documented maintenance history may be far more reliable than a low-mileage vehicle that has been neglected. Look for the following in the service records:
- Regular oil changes, typically every 10,000–15,000 km for petrol engines and 15,000–20,000 km for diesel engines, subject to the manufacturer’s instructions
- Replacement of the timing belt or inspection of the timing chain at the recommended intervals
- Replacement of air, fuel and cabin filters
- Regular servicing by an authorised dealer or reputable workshop
Mileage and Purchase Price
Mileage directly affects a vehicle’s market value. However, an apparent bargain with high mileage can become expensive if significant maintenance or repairs are required. Always consider the vehicle’s total cost of ownership, not just its purchase price.
Read also: The Best Used Cars Under €10,000
How Much Mileage Is Acceptable on a Used Car?
There is no “magic” mileage figure above which a vehicle automatically becomes a poor choice. Always assess its age, mileage, type of use, make, model and service history together. If you need help evaluating a vehicle, the advisers at Besikos Cars are here to assist you.
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