One reason higher-than-normal mileage isn't necessarily the end of the world is that not all miles are equal. Cars that have an excess of highway miles, for instance, can usually get away with higher mileage than normal because cruising at stable speeds on flat, level highways puts less stress on the car than the stop-and-go traffic that city miles cause.
City Vs. Highway Miles
If it's at all possible, try to get information about how a used car was driven before you found it. If that 5-year-old car you're looking at has 80,000 highway miles because it was used for long-distance road trips, it may be in better shape than a car of the same make and model that has just 55,000 city-driving miles on the dial. City miles usually involve a lot of starting and stopping, putting extra wear on the car compared to straight, flat highway miles.
Towing History
In the same vein, be sure to look under the rear bumper of the used car you're interested in to see if there's a towing hitch. If not, are there fresh scrapes that suggest a hitch has been removed? Towing puts a strain on cars' engines, and if the used vehicle you're looking at has been pulling weight on a regular basis, the wear and tear on the engine and drivetrain could be a lot more than the mileage reading alone would suggest.
Owner History
Of course, as a prudent buyer, you're going to need to see the vehicle's history report before making up your mind. A 5-year-old car with 70,000 miles may be good mileage, but if it's had five owners, it will be harder to predict how the car was driven and maintained.
Title And Accident History
Likewise, your vehicle history report should include information about any accidents the car has been in, title history and whether it's been salvaged, and the service and maintenance records kept on the vehicle. This part counts for a lot when you're looking into the mileage. High mileage cars that have been properly serviced are almost always a better buy than lower-mileage cars that have been driven 50,000 miles without an oil change.
