The bottom line: Most cars hit their best selling point somewhere between 60,000 and 80,000 miles. By then depreciation has slowed down, while buyers still feel confident about what they’re buying. You’ve had solid use from the car, and the biggest repair bills are still ahead.
Once a car crosses 100,000 miles, buyers become more cautious about repair costs:
- On a car 10 to 14 years old, the typical best offer in our data is $2,147 at 50,000 to 99,999 miles.
- Once it passes 100,000, it drops to $1,229.
- Selling just before the milestone, and before the next big service bill, can make a real difference in what you get.
Brand matters just as much as mileage. Toyota and Honda vehicles hold strong value well past 100,000 miles because buyers trust their reliability.
European luxury cars lose value faster, so selling an Audi, BMW or Mercedes before the 100,000-mile mark typically gets you a much better result. By iSeeCars‘ count, an Audi Q5 has lost 58.2% of its price by year five and a Toyota Tacoma 19.9%.
When you’re ready to see what buyers offer for your car right now, you can compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor in minutes.
Key Takeaways
- The sweet spot: between 60,000 and 80,000 miles for most cars, with good value, slower depreciation, and no major repair risk hanging over the sale.
- The 100,000 line: on a car 10 to 14 years old, crossing 100,000 miles takes more than half off the typical best offer in our data, because buyers start treating it as a maintenance risk.
- Brand: a Tacoma has lost about a fifth of its price by year five and an Audi Q5 well over half, so a Toyota, a Honda or a pickup is worth keeping past 100,000 miles and a European luxury car is worth selling before it.
- Age counts too: the used market prices a car by its age as much as its miles, and a car well above the usual miles for its age is priced as the older car it drives like.
- The cost-to-keep rule: when a year’s maintenance, expected repairs and lost value add up to more than a quarter of what buyers offer for the car, sell; under about 15%, keeping it is usually cheaper. The calculator below does the arithmetic.
- Waiting: a car 10 years and older quoted again a year or more later was offered less in seven cases out of ten in our data, so “next year” is rarely the better sale.
Automated assistant: general info, not legal advice
Answers come from our state paperwork data and published guides. Confirm anything binding with your state DMV.
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Key Mileage Milestones to Consider
Most vehicles follow a predictable depreciation pattern tied to specific mileage points. Knowing where these thresholds are helps you time your sale before a major drop in value.
30,000 to 40,000 miles: Your car still has a lot of value and likely retains some warranty coverage. Most manufacturer general warranties expire around this range, and the first major maintenance items start appearing. Selling before the warranty expires usually gets the best price, but you haven’t gotten full use out of the car yet.
60,000 to 70,000 miles: Major maintenance items often begin appearing here, including powertrain warranty expiration for most brands. This is a smart time to sell if you want to avoid those costs and still get a strong price.
80,000 to 100,000 miles: For most mainstream cars, this is the last chance to sell before the psychological 100,000-mile barrier kicks in. Buyers are still confident in this range, especially if service records are complete.
100,000 miles and above: This is the threshold where buyer confidence shifts. Many buyers pause at this number even when the car has been well-maintained.
If you plan to sell past 100,000 miles, full maintenance records become your best asset. For high mileage cars, the selling approach changes quite a bit.
The offers put a number on the pause. Among cars 10 to 14 years old put to several buyers through Sell Car Advisor’s comparison tool, the typical best offer is $2,147 at 50,000 to 99,999 miles and $1,229 at 100,000 to 149,999 miles; for a car under ten years old we have no offer data of our own, so the brand sections lean on iSeeCars’ five-year figures.
What mileage does to the offer, at the same age 1,007 cars 10 years and older, best of up to three offers · Miles on the odometerShow the numbers
Mileage 10 to 14 years old Offers 15 to 19 years old Offers 20 years and older Offers 50k to 99k $2,147 91 $945 33 $635 39 100k to 149k $1,229 160 $635 101 $489 88 150k to 199k $1,180 104 $499 107 $440 74 200k and up $594 48 $498 74 $418 88 
Age counts as much as the odometer. By Edmunds‘ count, $15,000 to $20,000 now buys a used car 6.0 years old, 71,192 miles, and $5,000 to $10,000 buys one 10.7 years old, over 120,000 miles; a car well above the usual miles for its age is priced as the older car it drives like.
There is no single number for how many miles a car has when it is sold. The average car on the road is 14.5 years old by S&P Global Mobility‘s count, so most change hands more than once, and each buyer reads the odometer against the age.
While these milestones matter, don’t base your decision solely on the odometer. Your car’s make and model, overall condition, and maintenance history play equally important roles.
How Do Different Car Brands Hold Their Value?
Not all cars depreciate at the same rate. Understanding how your specific vehicle performs in the used market can help you time your sale better.
Brands That Depreciate Least With High Mileage
These vehicles tend to hold stronger value even at higher mileage. If you own one of these, selling too early often means leaving money on the table.
| Brand | Models (five-year loss, iSeeCars) | Why they hold |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota | Tacoma 19.9%, 4Runner 25.5%, RAV4 25.2%, Corolla 27.6% | Buyers trust them to keep running; the market average loss is about two fifths |
| Honda | Civic 22.9%, CR-V 28.9%, Accord 30.5% | Same reputation as Toyota, with strong demand from budget buyers |
| Lexus | RX 350 32.8% | Toyota reliability under a luxury badge; the make with the highest typical junk car offer in our data |
| Jeep | Wrangler 32.4% | A loyal second-hand market that wants them at any mileage |
| American trucks | F-150 37.9%, Ram 1500 37.8%, Silverado 1500 39.7% | Only just under the market average, but work-truck buyers look for high mileage on purpose |
These models have a flatter depreciation curve at higher mileage because buyers trust them to keep running. Selling at 80,000 miles on a Tacoma or 4Runner, for example, means giving up a lot of remaining value.
Among cars 10 years and older in our data, Lexus is the make with the highest typical junk car offer, the makes above the junk line aside.
The cars that hold their value best The 15 lowest of 950,000 five-year-old carsShow the numbers
Model Five-year depreciation Porsche 718 Cayman 9.6% Porsche 911 11.1% Chevrolet Corvette 18.7% Toyota Tacoma 19.9% Toyota Tundra 21.2% Honda Civic 22.9% Subaru BRZ 23.7% Toyota GR Supra 24.0% Toyota RAV4 25.2% Toyota Corolla Hatchback 25.5% Toyota 4Runner 25.5% Lexus RC 26.6% Ford Mustang 26.8% Toyota Corolla 27.6% Toyota Sienna 28.5% 
Pickups hold up in the offers too. A full-size domestic truck averaging 120,000 miles still lists at about $20,000 by CarGurus‘ count, and among cars 10 years and older the pickup is the body type with the highest typical offer, $855.
The Silverado guide has the truck-specific steps; a heavy-duty diesel is a different market and our data doesn’t split it out.
Brands That Depreciate Faster With High Mileage
These vehicles tend to lose value more quickly as mileage climbs. For these brands, hitting major milestones early has a bigger impact on what buyers will offer.
| Brand | Models (five-year loss, iSeeCars) | Why they fall |
|---|---|---|
| BMW | 7 Series 61.6% | Repair and service costs that buyers price in; the market average loss is about two fifths |
| Audi | Q5 58.2%, Q7 57.2% | Specialized maintenance, and timing chain and carbon-buildup bills |
| Land Rover and Jaguar | Range Rover 61.7%, Discovery 57.9%, F-PACE 56.5% | Reliability reputation and the cost of parts |
If you own one of these vehicles, selling before 100,000 miles avoids the point where repair costs and buyer skepticism both rise. Specialized maintenance for European brands is expensive, and buyers factor that in when making offers.
Mercedes sedans and SUVs aren’t in iSeeCars’ published list, and the one Mercedes that is, the G-Class at 34%, holds value better than average, so the brand rule has exceptions.
The cars that lose value fastest The 15 highest of 950,000 five-year-old carsShow the numbers
Model Five-year depreciation Nissan LEAF 63.1% INFINITI QX80 62.8% Volkswagen ID.4 62.1% Tesla Model S 62.0% Range Rover 61.7% BMW 7 Series 61.6% Tesla Model X 61.2% Ford Mustang Mach-E 60.8% BMW 5 Series hybrid 59.5% INFINITI QX60 58.3% Range Rover Sport 58.3% Audi Q5 hybrid 58.2% Land Rover Discovery 57.9% Tesla Model Y 57.8% Audi A8 L 57.6%
Common Mechanical Failure Points to Watch For
Knowing when major components typically fail can help you sell before costly repairs become necessary. If a big service interval is approaching, selling now is often smarter than putting money in you won’t recover.
If you’re weighing whether to fix or sell, RepairPal can give you a fast repair estimate so you know what you’re actually facing.
What common repairs cost RepairPal national averages, 21 repairs, dated 2026-09-03Show the numbers
Repair Low estimate High estimate Transmission replacement $6,238 $6,764 Head gasket $2,572 $3,386 Timing chain $2,120 $2,764 Catalytic converter $2,280 $2,480 Clutch $1,630 $2,047 Radiator $1,368 $1,550 Fuel pump $1,344 $1,513 AC compressor $1,081 $1,463 Shock or strut $1,144 $1,348 Muffler $1,138 $1,190 Engine control module $1,122 $1,192 Timing belt $918 $1,338 Water pump $891 $1,135 Alternator $809 $1,088 Starter $565 $796 EGR valve $489 $632 Oxygen sensor $440 $523 Wheel bearing $346 $504 Brake pads $335 $394 Spark plugs $288 $399 Ignition coil $238 $320
American Brands
Ford vehicles often develop transmission problems (especially the PowerShift in Focus and Fiesta models), and a replacement runs $6,238 to $6,764 by RepairPal‘s national average. Water pump failures in EcoBoost engines are the other common one.
GM models commonly face intake manifold gasket failures, and transmission issues on higher-mileage GM vehicles.
Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep vehicles tend to develop transmission problems as the miles climb. Electrical system failures are also common.
Japanese Brands
Toyota’s main weak point is the water pump, which runs $891 to $1,135. Older Toyota models with timing belts need the belt replaced on the schedule in the owner’s manual.
Honda vehicles may need transmission attention on older models, and valve adjustments are common on higher-mileage Hondas.
Nissan’s CVT transmissions have a history of problems. This is a key reason to sell Nissan CVT vehicles before hitting higher mileage.
European Brands
BMW owners should watch for high-pressure fuel pump failures. Timing chain issues are another common concern, and a chain replacement runs $2,120 to $2,764.
Mercedes-Benz vehicles may develop balance shaft issues. Airmatic suspension failures are the other common one, and suspension repairs on these vehicles are expensive.
Audi and Volkswagen models are prone to timing chain tensioner failures. Carbon buildup requiring intake cleaning is the other regular bill.
The Impact of Maintenance History
A well-documented maintenance history can offset the impact of higher mileage in a big way.
To get the most from your maintenance history when selling:
- Keep receipts and invoices for all oil changes, fluid replacements, and major services
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule
- Address issues promptly rather than letting them build up
- Document everything in one place so you can hand it over to the buyer
You can learn more about organizing your records in our car maintenance records guide.
Cars Where 100,000 Miles Is Just the Beginning
For some vehicles, 100,000 miles is not the scary number buyers think it is. The models at the top of the brand table, the Tacoma, the 4Runner and the Civic among them, are the ones known for reaching 200,000 miles and well past it with proper care, and buyers who know that offer more for them.
If you own one of these vehicles, selling at 100,000 miles likely means walking away from a lot of remaining value. The depreciation curve on these models flattens early, so holding on often makes more financial sense.
When Do Maintenance Costs Begin to Outweigh Value?
As a general rule, add up a year’s maintenance, the repairs you can see coming and the value the car will lose, and set it against what buyers offer for the car: past about a quarter, sell; under about 15%, keeping it is usually cheaper. The calculator does the arithmetic on our own figures.
Once a car is 15 or older, miles past 150,000 stop moving the offer much. For a car 15 to 19 years old in our data, the typical best offer is $635 at 100,000 to 149,999 miles, $499 at 150,000 to 199,999 and $498 past 200,000.
What moves the offer then is whether it runs: buyers offer about 46% less for a car that doesn’t start than for the same car running, once age and mileage are matched.
Waiting has a price of its own. When the same buyer quoted the same car again a year or more later, it offered a median $160 less, and 71% of the offers came back lower.
What asking again later cost 109 cars 10 years and older, each quoted twice by the same buyer · Time between the two offersShow the numbers
Gap between offers Typical change in the offer Offers 1 to 3 months $0 40 3 to 6 months -$20 21 6 to 12 months -$135 17 More than a year -$160 31
Decision Framework: When Should You Sell?
Five things decide where you stand before you sell.
- Your car’s make and model: Check your vehicle’s reputation for reliability at higher mileage. A 90,000-mile Corolla and a 90,000-mile Audi Q5 are in very different situations.
- Major maintenance coming up: Check your owner’s manual for upcoming service intervals. Selling before a $918 to $1,338 timing belt job or a transmission service is often the smarter financial move.
- Your maintenance history: Well-documented service records can justify a higher asking price, especially past 80,000 miles.
- Trade-in or private sale: A trade-in is faster but usually comes with less money. A private sale takes more time but typically nets more, especially for well-maintained cars under 100,000 miles.
- The market for your car: Some models get better offers in certain seasons. The Federal Reserve‘s seasonal factors put the most car sales in May and the fewest in January, and among cars 10 years and older our offers run highest in April and lowest in September, a swing of $145.
If your car drives, has no faults and is under 10 years old, Carvana makes an instant offer on it. For older and higher-mileage cars, Peddle and Wheelzy make offers and tow for free, even if the car doesn’t run.
Whatever the odometer says, get offers from more than one of them. On the same car, the same day, the best of two or three offers beat the worst by a median $314 among cars 10 years and older, and in 39% of them the best offer was at least double the worst.
Compare instant offers before you accept one
Cost to Keep Calculator
Pick the car’s age and mileage and the repair you can see coming, and the tool sets a year of keeping it against what buyers offer for a car like it in our own data. Every figure in it is a hub figure, so it updates with the page.
How this works: the offer is the typical best offer for cars of its age and mileage in our own offer data; the repair is the middle of RepairPal’s national range for that job, with parts at the manufacturer’s list price; the year of waiting is the median change in the offer when the same car was quoted again by the same buyer a year or more later. The cost to keep is the three added together, set against the offer. These are offers from online buyers, not sale prices, and a single buyer can come in well below or above the figure. How every figure is calculated.
Compare instant offers before you accept one
Frequently Asked Questions
Does highway mileage affect resale value differently than city mileage?
Yes, highway miles create less wear and tear than city miles. Stop-and-go driving puts more stress on brakes, transmission, and the engine than steady highway cruising.
Most buyers and instant offer tools don’t distinguish between the two. They just see the odometer number. Mention it in your listing and let your maintenance records back it up.
At what mileage should I trade in my car?
The same milestones apply, and a dealer applies them harder than a private buyer, because it has to resell the car at a margin. Before the powertrain warranty runs out, in the 60,000 to 80,000 range, is where a trade-in appraisal is cleanest.
Past 100,000 miles, get an instant offer first so the trade-in has a floor to beat, and treat the dealer’s number as one bid among several.
Does very low mileage add much when I sell?
On an older car, a lot. Among cars 10 to 14 years old in our data, the typical best offer under 50,000 miles was $2,895, well above the $2,147 for the 50,000-to-99,999 band above it.
On a nearly new car the odometer isn’t the lever: a three-year-old car keeps 66% of its sticker price on average by Edmunds‘ count, so the first years’ loss is age, not miles, and selling at 1,000 miles doesn’t get the first-year drop back.
Article Update History
Mileage figures now come from Sell Car Advisor quote data, depreciation from iSeeCars, and repair costs from RepairPal.
Mileage thresholds and brand depreciation checked against quote data and current market sources.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
Sources
What mileage does to the offer, at the same age, Junk Car Value Statistics
"1,007 cars 10 years and older, best of up to three offers" Accessed Oct. 16, 2026
What asking again later cost, Junk Car Value Statistics
"109 cars 10 years and older, each quoted twice by the same buyer" Accessed Oct. 16, 2026
Junk Car Value Statistics, Sell Car Advisor
"On this page: 10 figures from 17,628 instant cash offers, and 17 figures from same-day quotes by several buyers" Accessed Oct. 19, 2026
"58.2%, five-year depreciation, Audi Q5; 19.9%, five-year depreciation, Toyota Tacoma; 25.5%, five-year depreciation, Toyota 4Runner; 25.2%, five-year depreciation, Toyota RAV4; 27.6%, five-year depreciation, Toyota Corolla; 22.9%, five-year depreciation, Honda Civic; 28.9%, five-year depreciation, Honda CR-V; 30.5%, five-year depreciation, Honda Accord; 32.8%, five-year depreciation, Lexus RX 350; 32.4%, five-year depreciation, Jeep Wrangler; 37.9%, five-year depreciation, Ford F-150; 37.8%, five-year depreciation, Ram 1500; 39.7%, five-year depreciation, Chevrolet Silverado 1500; 61.6%, five-year depreciation, BMW 7 Series; 57.2%, five-year depreciation, Audi Q7; 61.7%, five-year depreciation, Land Rover Range Rover; 57.9%, five-year depreciation, Land Rover Discovery; 56.5%, five-year depreciation, Jaguar F-PACE; 34%, five-year depreciation, Mercedes-Benz G-Class" Accessed Sep. 11, 2026
"6.0 years old, 71,192 miles, what $15,000 to $20,000 buys; 10.7 years old, over 120,000 miles, what $5,000 to $10,000 buys; 66%, what a three-year-old car keeps of its sticker price" Accessed Sep. 11, 2026
"14.5 years, average age of a passenger car" Accessed Sep. 11, 2026
"$20,000, what a high-mileage pickup lists for" Accessed Sep. 11, 2026
"$6,238 to $6,764, transmission replacement cost; $891 to $1,135, water pump replacement cost; $2,120 to $2,764, timing chain replacement cost; $918 to $1,338, timing belt replacement cost; $160 to $188, oil change cost; $335 to $394, brake pad replacement cost; $288 to $399, spark plug replacement cost; $346 to $504, wheel bearing replacement cost; $565 to $796, starter replacement cost; $809 to $1,088, alternator replacement cost; $1,144 to $1,348, shock or strut replacement cost; $1,081 to $1,463, aC compressor replacement cost; $1,368 to $1,550, radiator replacement cost; $1,344 to $1,513, fuel pump replacement cost; $2,280 to $2,480, catalytic converter replacement cost; $2,572 to $3,386, head gasket replacement cost" Accessed Sep. 11, 2026
"May, month with the most car sales; January, month with the fewest car sales" Accessed Sep. 11, 2026
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