Choosing a used car with a high mileage can mean big savings if you’re car shopping on a budget.
Of course, there’s also a risk that by buying a higher mileage car you’ll end up with big bills further down the line if the car develops serious problems, so you need to pick wisely. Here’s our guide to the best high mileage cars, to help make picking a used car easier for you.
EASY AS HACK
You can check the MOT history of a vehicle you know the registration of with the Government’s MOT checker. This check will show you the mileage at the time the car was tested, along with whether any parts failed, had minor defects or had advisories issued.
At a glance
- Choosing a reliable car with high mileage could save you money
- Certain makes and models are more reliable than others with high mileage
- We share our pick of the ten most reliable high mileage cars on the market today
The average mileage for all cars in each of the first three years it’s registered is 8,460 miles3 a year, according to figures from the RAC Foundation. This number can vary depending on location, age, lifestyle and other factors. But any car driven more than that can be considered to have above-average mileage.
The most reliable high mileage cars
Today’s used vehicles are far more reliable and last much longer than before. The average car in the UK is now nearly 10 years old, thanks to better-quality builds, according to the RAC Foundation.
Many people consider the sweet spot for best value in a used car to be up to 3 years of age. It’s when new cars typically take the biggest depreciation hit, but are still relatively modern, according to the AA1.
Some motorists and dealers treat 100,000 miles on the clock as the standard threshold for high- mileage cars, but nothing official backs up their claim. Statistics from the RAC Foundation show that the average is 8,460 miles2in the first three years, which you could also use as a benchmark.
Here’s what to focus on when buying a used car with high mileage:
- Motor insurance groups – the insurance industry places vehicles into groups based on their risk, using data such as repair and pricing costs, the time it takes to repair them, and safety. Some insurance companies, including Ageas, use their own risk rating systems. However, we’re using the Thatcham group rating system for this article as it’s well-known and accessible.
- Lower groups – cars in Thatcham’s 1 to 10 grouping attract lower premiums, as these vehicles are typically cheaper and quicker to fix.
- Claims history – insurers will also base their prices on past claims experience to estimate the cost to repair a car after an accident.
- Risk profiles – your likelihood of making a claim is another risk that insurers consider, including age, mileage, geographic location, and experience.
- Full-service history – a complete service history will give you more meaningful insight. If it’s well serviced, it may still be reliable.
For the following examples, we looked at cars up to 10 years old (from 2015 onwards) with 100,000 to 150,000 miles on the clock. All prices were correct as of 26 March 2026, using Auto Trader search results.
Ford Fiesta
From: £5,300 for a Ford Fiesta 2015 (15 reg)
Years of manufacture: 1976-2023
The last Fiesta rolled off the production line in July 2023. But as one of the UK’s all-time bestsellers, there are plenty of excellent used models to be snapped up. Prices can be as low as £1,000 for a car made between 2008 and 2017, according to Top Gear.3
Most high-mileage Fiestas won’t experience major problems. And even if they do, parts and servicing are relatively cheap, and this fun motor will not cost a lot to run. Top Gear recommends petrol .17
Insurance group:
The insurance group for your Ford Fiesta may depend on the year. However, they tend to be on the low to moderate side, ranging from group 4 to group 28 , meaning they’ll cost less to insure.
Honda Civic
From: £5,300 for a 2015 Honda Civic (15 reg)
Years of manufacture: 1972-present
Its well-known reliability makes the Honda Civic a popular used car option. The 1.8-litre i-VTEC engine is a standout, with strong performance and the high mileage of a much smaller engine. The 2.2-litre diesel engine is also noted for its smooth and quiet drive.
If you look after your Civic, it could last you between 200,000 and 300,000 miles. What Car? ranked Honda’s family cars 19th out of 30 for reliability.4
Insurance group:
Honda Civic models fall between groups 5 and 20, 5 depending on the model, which are in the low-to-mid range for insurance costs. A Honda Civic Tourer is in the relatively low 13-17 group, while a Civic Saloon falls into the 15-19 group. Some turbo models range from group 22 to group 40 , which means higher premiums.
Kia Ceed
From: £2,995 for a 2015 Kia Ceed (15 reg)
Years of manufacture: 2006-present
This reliable family hatchback offers a comfortable driving experience and has great fuel economy. And Kia’s seven-year warranty should give you confidence that an older Ceed with high mileage will still be dependable.
Kia was rated the third most reliable brand by Carwow’s Driver Power survey6, and its seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty shows just how confident Kia is about its reliability.
Insurance groups:
Most Kia Ceed models fall into the middle band of insurance groups, with the hatchback the 9-22 range.
Lexus CT 200h
From: £8,700 for a 2015 Lexus CT (65 reg)
Years of manufacture: 2011–2020
Popular as a city car, the Lexus CT 200h is a compact, early hybrid with a reputation for faultless build quality and proven components that keep repair costs accessible.7
Built on the Toyota Prius hybrid system and classed as a premium hatchback, the CT 200h is noted for its reliability. Honest John cites its build quality as one reason why the car has worn better than its competitors.
According to the Good Garage Guide, based on DVSA data, the Lexus CT 200h has an 85.5% MOT pass rate, based on over 28,000 tests in 2021.
Insurance group:
The CT 200h sits comfortably within the low to mid-range insurance groups 15 to 20. The powertrain it shares with the Toyota means parts are widely available despite the premium Lexus badge.
Renault Clio
From: From £2,500 for a 2015 Renault Clio (15 reg)
Years of manufacture: 1990-present
This compact French icon has a reputation for reliability, which extends to its age and mileage. Most petrol Clios are capable of doing around 54 miles per gallon (mpg)9 or 65-66mpg with diesel and hybrid models. So, they’re relatively economical if you drive a lot. Overall, it’s a small car built for big distances and a smart choice if you’re looking for a low-cost, high-mileage vehicle.
In the What Car? reliability survey, the Clio came 18th out of 26 cars) but with a positive score of 93.7%.10 The Car Expert also comments on its “excellent reliability.”14
Insurance groups:
Renault Clios sit between groups 3 and 16, the lower risk insurance group, making them more economical – ideal for new drivers or those trying to keep costs down.
Skoda Octavia
From: £4,000 for a Skoda Octavia 2017 (66 reg)
Years of manufacture: 2013 to 2020
It’s worth shopping around for the third-generation Octavia Estate (2013-2020), which earned first place and a 99.3% rating in the 2024 What Car? reliability survey.11
Apart from a few minor issues, the petrol models received particular praise from What Car? readers, but all owners said they’d recommend the Octavia for ‘practicality and overall performance’.
Insurance group:
The 2013 Octavia ranges from insurance group 13 to 2512, depending on the version.
Skoda Superb
From: £9,991 for a 2015 Skoda Superb (65 reg)
Years of manufacture: 2001-present
This executive Skoda model has become one of the best high-mileage cars thanks to its relatively affordable ownership and running costs.13
The Skoda Superb offers a strong overall performance too, with precise handling and excellent fuel economy. Look for the latest generation model, launched in 2024.13
Insurance group:
The Skoda Superb starts in insurance group 12, typically making it inexpensive to insure. However, newer, faster models can be in group 31, 14which will increase premiums.
Toyota Prius
From: £6,000 for a 2015 Toyota Prius
Years of manufacture: 1997-present
The 2020 Honest John Satisfaction Index named the fourth-generation Prius as the UK's most reliable car, earning 9.88 out of 10.15 That generation(2016-2022) also holds a used-car rating of A from The Car Expert, which spotlights its ride and handling and low running costs.16
What Car? points to the durability of the batteries, which can last for over 10 years and 200,000 miles.17
Insurance groups:
Sitting between insurance groups 13 and 22, the insurance for your Toyota Prius could be a bit higher than some alternatives. However, The Car Expert gives the Toyota Prius family a 92% reliability rating, so it may be worth considering.
Toyota RAV4
From: £5,995 for a 2015 (65 reg)
Years of manufacture: 1994-present
The RAV4 is one of the best 4x4s on the market and is known for its exceptional reliability (scoring for the plug-in hybrid). 18 The RAV4 comes as a petrol, diesel or petrol-electric hybrid. Where the diesel engine lacks a little power, the petrol-electric hybrid offers a refined drive.
Providing you look after your Toyota RAV4 well, you should get around 250,000 miles out of it.
Insurance groups:
Nestled in the mid-risk category between groups 25 and 30, the RAV4 is considered mid-range for insurance purposes. Auto Trader considers it an ideal choice if you want a decent performance from a mid-sized to large car.
Volvo S90
From: £3,500 for a 2015 Volvo S60 (65 reg)
Years of manufacture: 2016-present
If you’re looking for a sporty saloon car capable of driving long distances, the S90 is a fine choice. Manufactured with Swedish reliability, the Volvo S90 is built to last. And even with high mileage, this smart saloon is hard to beat for modern comfort, offering spacious interiors and impressive tech.
With not many major issues over the years, the S90 may be worth considering for those looking for an executive car with standout safety features. However, the RAC recommends checking that any recall work has completed, especially regarding earlier models' autonomous breaking and airbags .19
Insurance group:
S90 models tend to fall between a mid-range 27 and a high-premium 44 insurance group, depending on their specification (reflecting the model’s executive positioning).
What is a high mileage for a used car?
Some consider over 150,000 miles on the clock to be high mileage, but it depends on how well the car has been looked after. If it has no serious technical .20
If you choose carefully and make sure the vehicle has a full-service history, you could drive out of the garage with a great deal.
Should I buy a car with high mileage?
Buying a used car with high mileage can be an excellent way to save money or upgrade to a newer model. But you'll need to take the car's age, model and the type of driving it's been used for into consideration.
Newer high-mileage cars can be a sound buy, as they might not have the same issues as older high-mileage cars. A word of warning, though - if the previous owner was a taxi driver or courier, the car has likely done a lot of stop-start driving. This habit isin't good for overall health, so it's best to avoid it.
The model is important, too. Some cars are better than others at covering long distances without issues. And be sure to choose a brand with a track record of reliability and durability.
What are the most reliable used car brands?
Auto Trader crowned the . It also shortlisted Honda and Suzuki as runners-up. Drivers know the Lexus for quality, comfort and reliability, which is why it has claimed the Auto Trader award for the fourth year in a row.21
Does the reliability of vehicles impact insurance?
Reliability can affect insurance costs, and usually, the more reliable the car, the lower the premiums. Insurers do not base insurance premiums solely on reliability – they also consider repairability, breakdowns, theft risk, safety and performance.
Powerful, high-performance cars fall into higher insurance groups because insurance risk analysis shows an increased likelihood of accidents, leading to higher premiums.5
Importance of insurance for high-mileage cars
It’s important to have insurance, such as breakdown cover, if you have a high-mileage car or an older car, as wear and tear means mechanical issues are more common. Even if the car is reliable on the whole, it could need more repairs and experience flat batteries and other age-related issues.
Get a quote for Ageas car insurance.
Sources
[1] https://www.theaa.com/driving-school/driving-lessons/buying-first-car
[2] https://www.racfoundation.org/motoring-faqs/mobility#a32
[3] https://www.topgear.com/car-news/top-gear-advice/top-gears-guide-buying-used-ford-fiesta
[4] https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/used-review/n898/reliability
[5] https://www.moneyexpert.com/car-insurance/manufacturers/honda/honda-civic/
[6] https://www.carwow.co.uk/kia/ceed
[7] https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/lexus/ct-200h/
[8] https://good-garage-guide.honestjohn.co.uk/mot/lexus/ct-200h
[9] https://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/renault-clio-2019/
[10] https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/used-review/n22574/reliability
[11] https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/estate/used-review/n854/reliability
[12] https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/insurance/skoda/octavia-2013
[13] https://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/skoda-superb-2024/
[14] https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/hatchback/used-review/n969
[15] https://media.toyota.co.uk/toyota-prius-named-the-uks-most-reliable-car-yaris-takes-second-spot/
[16] https://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/toyota-prius-2016/
[17] https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/prius/hatchback/used-review/n17569/reliability
[18] https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/rav4/4x4/used-review/n22427/reliability
[19] https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/car-reviews/volvo/s90/s90-2016-2020/
[20] https://www.webuyanycar.com/guides/car-ownership/how-many-miles-can-a-car-last/
[21] https://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/news/most-reliable-brand-2025-lexus
