Best High-Mileage Used Cars Recommended by Consumer Reports

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Here are the car models known for making it to the 100,000-mile club (and beyond) that are smart buys for shoppers looking for a good price and expected longevity in a new used vehicle.

Although used car prices have dropped slightly this past year, you can still expect those 4-year-old models to cost an average of $29,000, which is still more than many will want to pay for a used car as a daily driver or as a first car for the family teenager.

Recently Used Car Estimates

According to a Zebra dot com article titled “Average miles driven per year in the U.S.” this past February, writer Susan Meyer posts a number of fun and interesting facts about driving in the U.S. that includes a Federal Highway Administration estimate that in the U.S car owners now drive an average of 14,263 miles per year.

Therefore, you can expect that 4-year-old car to have approximately 57,000 miles on it, which is near the typical 5-years/60,000-mile warranty period of most cars and past the 3-years/36,000 miles of some makes and models.

A Better Used Car Deal by Looking for Older, Reliable Models

However, if you are looking for a better used car deal, then considering older models past their warranty period and with 100,000 miles or more on the odometer just might provide the savings used car shoppers are looking for as recently recommended by Consumer Reports automotive analysts.

Decades ago, 100,000 miles was seen as the upper service life for a lot of cars, and that number has sort of stuck in people’s imaginations to mean that a car is past its prime,” says Mike Crossen, a staff mechanic at CR’s Auto Test Center. “Although expensive maintenance items come due at or shortly after 100,000 miles, most cars today can last a lot longer.”

Related article: Least Reliable Cars That Won't Even Last 60,000 Miles

Special Caveats to Buying a 100,000-plus Mile Car

Choosing a used car with high mileage, however, is a risky venture that requires adhering to some sound advice from CR analysts that include:

  1. Choosing a model with a reputation as reliable and with low repair costs.
  2. Stick to models that are more functional and less luxury. High-end luxury vehicles are more prone to needing repairs with garage costs to match the model.
  3. Scrutinize the potential used car for its history that includes accidents, past repairs, maintenance, and most important of all―any odometer discrepancies.
  4. Have a prepurchase inspection by an experienced mechanic or follow this guide on doing it yourself.
  5. Refuse used car dealer extended warranties. The dollars saved by doing this can be better used on actual repairs as needed.
  6. Buyer Beware: If the used car deal sounds too good to be true―it probably is. In cases like this, it is worth paying some extra attention toward looking for hidden car problems.

Best High-Mileage Used Car Recommendations

That said, here is a summary of those makes with their recommended model years that are known for reliability and performed well in CR’s testing.

BEST HIGH-MILEAGE SMALL CARS

Top Pick: Honda Fit 2020

Price Range:  $15,700 - $19,125

Owner Reported MPG:  34 mpg

Runners Up List:

• 2021 Mazda 3
• 2018 Toyota Corolla
• 2020-21 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
• 2016-18 Toyota Prius
• 2017 Toyota Prius Prime
• 2016-17 Toyota Prius V

 

BEST HIGH-MILEAGE LUXURY CARS

Top Pick: Acura TLX 2016

Price Range:  $13,875 - $16,825

Owner Reported MPG:  25 mpg

Runners Up List:

• 2015-16 Lexus ES
• 2014-15 Lexus ES Hybrid
• 2015 Lexus GS

 

BEST HIGH-MILEAGE SPORTS CAR

Top Pick: Mazda MX-5 Miata 2016

Price Range:  $14,150 - $16,925

Owner Reported MPG:  34 mpg

Runner Up: 2016-17 Mazda MX-5 Miata

 

BEST HIGH-MILEAGE MINIVAN

Top Pick: Toyota Sienna 2016

Price Range:  $14,100 - $20,825

Owner Reported MPG:  21 mpg

 

BEST HIGH-MILEAGE SMALL SUVS

Top Pick: Toyota RAV4 2016

Price Range:  $13,850 - $17,150

Owner Reported MPG:  25 mpg

Runners Up List:

• 2016 Acura RDX
• 2017 Buick Envision
• 2016 Honda CR-V
• 2017-19 Honda HR-V
• 2020 Kia Sportage
• 2015 Lexus NX

 

BEST HIGH-MILEAGE MIDSIZED SUVS

Top Pick: Mazda CX-9 2018

Price Range:  $13,675 - $19,800

Owner Reported MPG:  23 mpg

Runners Up List:

• 2014-15 Lexus RX
• 2014-16 Toyota Highlander

 

BEST HIGH-MILEAGE PICKUP TRUCKS

Top Pick: Toyota Tundra 2014

Price Range:  $14,450 - $24,950

Owner Reported MPG:  15 mpg

For additional articles related to reliable used car longevity, here are a few for your consideration:

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites  and Facebook for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

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