High Mileage: The Most Reliable Used Cars | DARCARS Used Car & Service Center of Frederick (2024)

FAQs

What is the most reliable car with high mileage? ›

There's no rule to how many miles on a used car is too much, but by attempting to stick to the 12,000 miles per year rule is a great place to start. Find out how old the car is, multiple the number of years by 12,000, and if the number on the odometer is significantly higher than that, some concern might be warranted.

Luxury brand Lexus gets ranked first, with models like the 2023 Lexus GX proving to be the most reliable. They are also doing well in the hybrid model section. Better fuel economy, low maintenance costs, and top-rated technology are what you get when you buy a Lexus.

Toyota and Honda dominate the list of long-lasting cars, with models like the Camry, Civic, and Accord well-known for surpassing the 400,000-kilometer mark.

According to a recent study by Consumer Reports, Toyota and Lexus were the most reliable vehicles in 2022. After Japanese cars, BMW was ranked third, while Mercedes' reliability was rated the lowest.

To put these rankings in context, CR's top five brands ranked on average predicted reliability — Lexus, Toyota, Mini, Acura and Honda — all scored in the 70s, making them twice as dependable as many of the brands listed below, according to CR's methodology.

Additionally, maintenance costs can quickly add up as cars age. Parts are harder to find, and labor is more time-intensive. If these concerns make you uneasy, avoid cars over 20 years old. This rule of thumb may help ensure your vehicle choice is still safe, reliable, and affordable.

What is the best mileage for a second hand car? ›

On average, a car should have around 10,000 miles per year. So, for an easy way to calculate how many miles on a used car is too much, just multiply its age by 10,000. For example, a five-year-old car would ideally have 50,000 miles or less on its odometer.

We suggest you consider a 4- to 6-year-old vehicle with less than 50,000 miles. But it's essential to consider how an owner drove the car, whether city, highway, or a mix of miles, and how well the driver cared for the car. It is also important to be wary of used cars with unusually low mileage.

Your ride of choice should be the Toyota Hilux, or Tacoma, if you are in North America. The Hilux and Tacoma are both light duty trucks, with four or six cylinder engines. Both have famous durability, and solid off-road performance. Older ones had rust issues, but anything in the last 20 years is solid.

Following its 2023 survey to determine who makes the most reliable new cars, Consumer Reports concluded that Lexus and Toyota lead the industry with predicted reliability scores of 79 and 76, respectively. This doesn't surprise auto mechanics already familiar with Toyota's solid reputation for reliability.

1. Honda Civic. TopSpeed ranked the Civic as the most reliable car ever based on its research and owner feedback. Singling out the 1990 model in particular, any used Civic is a popular choice for many reasons, including money-saving ones like top-notch fuel efficiency and affordable entry price.

A 500,000-mile used car or truck has obviously seen its fair share of wear and tear but if the damages wear repaired immediately and the parts were changed when they were supposed to, the vehicle is bound to survive long. Even when it comes to your ownership, you have to maintain the maintenance routine.

Depending on the car's value, repairing it might be worth the money to keep it going for a few more years. However, most modern gasoline-powered vehicles will start to struggle after the 200,000-mile mark. Electric cars can usually make it up to 300,000 miles before they're considered well used.