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It has long been the case that many people in the market for a vehicle opt for used models. Of course, unless people have a specific vehicle in mind, it leads to most searching for the best used cars. Naturally, this often leads to excluding high-mileage cars. The confusion comes in when people question what constitutes a high mileage used car and what getting one means.

The best used cars usually have few miles

According to Motortrader, car buyers are about three times more likely to buy used cars than new vehicles. Of course, this is often because even the best used cars are cheaper. Typically, the experienced car buyer will look for a few things in a vehicle, and high mileage cars aren’t often part of the equation.

High mileage cars aren't always bad
2012 Jeep Wrangler | Stellantis

So, what constitutes a high mileage used car? Well, there’s actually a pretty good range of options where most drivers feel safe investing in a used vehicle. Of course, the fewer miles on the odometer, the better, as these options usually have more life left. However, many consider 100,000 miles to be a cut-off for vehicles they might buy. Many of the best used options can last far beyond this amount.

Still, buyers should research any vehicle they’re considering buying. This is especially the case for options closer to the 100,000-mile mark. Luckily, it has gotten much easier to figure out what cars are the best used options for reliability and which ones are more prone to having significant trouble.

Some of the best cars to buy used

  • Toyota Camry
  • Subaru Outback
  • Honda Civic
  • Honda Accord
  • Kia Rio
  • Subaru Forester

They require more work

High mileage cars require more attention than other vehicles. While most people consider 100,000 miles the cut-off for purchasing a used vehicle, high mileage often refers to options with around 75,000 miles on the odometer. This is because when it comes to getting a car oil change, vehicles of this age typically need a high mileage blend.

Related to car oil changes, vehicles with higher miles typically need them more frequently, which means maintenance is more expensive. They need more frequent changes because, over time, engines begin to consume more oil. The same is the case with monitoring transmission fluid for high mileage cars.

In general, people who drive vehicles with a large amount of miles on the odometer have to be more diligent. This means monitoring strange noises the car might make, taking it in for scheduled maintenance, and often spending more money than people with lower mileage vehicles. Still, high mileage cars aren’t always bad, as there are several reliable options.

However, not all drivers have the desire or the capability to put forth the work to keep these cars on the road. Luckily, many of the best used cars on the market have relatively few miles. Additionally, they can be somewhat affordable.