The most reliable used cars - with high mileage
It’s possible to bag a bargain when buying a used car with high mileage. On the other hand, the vehicle could turn into a money pit if it turns out unreliable.
Read our handy guide on what to consider when looking for the most reliable used cars and the best high mileage cars on the market.
In short
Cars with a high mileage of 250,000 could still be a bargain if you shop around. But always check its MOT history to see whether any parts failed or it had defects.
Must know1. Reliable cars don’t have to be low mileage – you can save money with the best high mileage cars2. We share the top 10 most reliable high-mileage cars on the UK market 3. It’s worth considering any used car that has a history of regular maintenance and owners have kept it in good condition |
What is considered high mileage for a used car?
Department of Transport statistics for 2022 showed that petrol cars in the UK travelled 6,000 miles a year on average, while diesel cars covered 7,900 miles.[1] So, you should consider that a used car has high mileage if it averages more miles than that.
But buying a car is about more than mileage. We used to believe vehicles should hit the scrap heap after 100,000 miles on the clock, but today, you can expect cars to last much longer than they did.
Scores of inventions, from anti-rust and corrosion techniques to improved lubricants and long-lasting LED headlights, mean the modern car’s life expectancy is over 250,000 miles.[2]
For these reasons, finding a reliable car is possible if the owner has serviced it regularly.
The pros and cons of buying a high-mileage car
Pros: Buying a used car with over 100,000 miles on the odometer can save you money. It could also mean an upgrade to a more reliable model than a newer low-mileage car.
Cons: Consider the car’s age and how the owners used it:
- A low-mileage old car may seem the logical buy but may not be as reliable as a younger, high-mileage car.
- A high-mileage car used mainly for short journeys, such as a taxi, means its components may be more worn out.[3]
Whatever its mileage, you’re most likely to get a reliable car if you ensure a used car is in good condition, has been well maintained, has an entire service history and a long MOT.
What are the most reliable used cars with high mileage?
Diesel, petrol and electric cars differ in reliability, durability and economy.[3] We’ve cross-referenced four online lists (from Top Gear, Carplus, MotorEasy, and What Car?) and checked them against The Car Expert reviews to curate the 10 best high mileage used cars.[4]
1. Toyota Avensis
Toyota has a model in every list we’ve reviewed, with the Avensis topping one and taking sixth place in another. Other regular models in the top 10 lists were the Auris, Hilux, Prius and Yaris.
Carplus rated the Avensis the best high-mileage used car in 2024, calling it a ‘no-nonsense choice for those who want a high-mileage car that just works’. It gave it a potential lifespan of 250,000 miles.
2. Skoda Octavia
Taxi drivers prize the Czech-made Skoda Octavia for its space and reliability, and it also makes a dependable and versatile family car.
We’ve made it number two in our list because according to statistics from the DVSA provided to MotorEasy, nearly 2,000 Octavias are on UK roads, with a mileage of 240,000 or more on the clock.
The Skoda Superb is also highly rated by some surveys, for its: vast interior and boot space; comfortable drive, lots of standard equipment and exceptional value.[5]
3. Kia Sportage
The 2016-21 Kia Sportage topped the What Car? reliability chart in 2023, with owners finding it ’faultlessly reliable’ over the previous 24 months. An excellent reason for being in the top three most reliable used cars.
In 2023, the car brand topped the mass market segment of the JD Power US vehicle dependability study for the third year.
4. Lexus RX
Lexus (another Toyota Motor Corporation brand) made it into three of our four lists, with the Lexus NX reaching the highest at second place in the What Car? list.
However, we’ve gone for the Lexus RX because the 2015-2022 model (which is no longer on sale) earned an 87% reliability rating in The Car Expert.
5. VW Passat
Coming second in MotorEasy’s list of top 10 cars with a mileage over 250,000, the VW Passat is also listed as a ‘great used buy’ by What Car?.
It’s easy to see why nearly 1,900 with over 250,000 miles on the clock are still on the road, with the estate scoring 92.9% in WhatCar’s 2023 reliability survey.
6. Honda Civic
Three out of our four lists included Hondas, with the Civic coming second in Carplus’s list and 12th in Top Gear’s (just below the Honda Accord at 10).
We’ve chosen the Honda Civic because of its reputation for reliability, with The Car Expert giving it a high rating of 90%.
7. Mercedes-Benz W123
The premium German brand Mercedes-Benz makes it into three of our four lists, with the vintage W123 favoured by Top Gear, the Mercedes SL by What Car? and the E Class by MotorEasy.
As a classic car, the W123 is iconic, sought-after, and noted for its dependability. It sold 2.7 million worldwide between 1976 and 1986, according to What Car?.
8. Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta (2008-17) is in The Car Expert’s higher percentile for reliability – 87% versus 72% for another favourite, the Ford Mondeo 2015-22.
The Fiesta also makes it to number five in the Carplus list, with a potential lifespan of 200,000 miles. Carplus calls it ‘a dependable choice for covering many miles from the get-go’.
9. Mazda MX-5
The MX-5 achieves a reliability rating of 79% on The Car Expert but comes fourth in the Top Gear list of 17 cars that’ll do 300,000 miles.
Impressively, Top Gear says: ‘We’ve seen MX-5s with 500,000 miles on them, still running the original engine.’
10. Toyota Prius
Although no longer produced or sold, the Prius (2016-22) has an impressive reliability rating of 97% and an overall used car score of 76% (The Car Expert).
It’s seventh in the Carplus list, following the Rav4, while the Toyota Yaris makes it to joint fifth place in the What Car? list.
Learn about Rias car insurance.
Sources
1. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/nts09-vehicle-mileage-and-occupancy#car-mileage
4. https://carplus.co.uk/magazine/best-high-mileage-used-cars/
https://www.carwow.co.uk/best/cars-for-taxi-drivers
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/list/here-are-17-cars-thatll-do-300000-miles
https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-and-least-reliable-used-cars/n19105
MotorEasy
https://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/expert-rating-index/best-large-cars
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2023-us-vehicle-dependability-studyvds
5. https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/hatchback/review/n93