Buying advice
Mileage on a used car: what counts as a lot?
Mileage is one of the biggest factors when buying a used car — but what is actually normal, and what counts as a lot? Here is a clear overview of average figures, the usual pitfalls and the cases where a high reading is no drawback at all.
What is a normal mileage?
In Switzerland an average car covers about 12'000 to 15'000 kilometres a year. For the different age brackets that means:
| Age | Normal reading | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 12'000 – 15'000 km | Typical |
| 3 years | 36'000 – 45'000 km | Typical |
| 5 years | 60'000 – 75'000 km | Typical |
| 7 years | 85'000 – 105'000 km | Typical |
| 10 years | 120'000 – 150'000 km | Typical |
Is less mileage always better?
A low reading sounds tempting, but it is not automatically a sign of quality. A car that has only done short trips in city traffic can be more worn than one with a higher reading and regular motorway runs. More important than the bare number of kilometres:
- Service booklet: were the maintenance intervals respected?
- Usage profile: motorway, country roads or nothing but short trips?
- Age: a 10-year-old car with 40'000 km can show ageing in rubber and plastic parts.
- Engine and gearbox: were oil and filters changed regularly?
High mileage: when is it not a problem?
Modern cars — especially from makers like Toyota, Honda, Volvo or Mercedes — are built for 300'000 km and more, provided they have been serviced. What decides it is the condition of engine, gearbox, clutch, brakes and suspension. A well-maintained car with 180'000 km can be more reliable than a neglected one with 80'000 km.
How does mileage affect the price?
Mileage is one of the strongest price factors on the used market. The higher the reading, the cheaper the car. But be careful: an extremely cheap offer with a seemingly low reading should raise questions. Reputable dealers price their cars transparently by age, mileage, equipment and condition.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal mileage for a 5-year-old car?
An average car in Switzerland covers roughly 12'000 to 15'000 km a year. A 5-year-old used car should therefore show between 60'000 and 75'000 km. Anything below that is rather unusual; clearly higher figures point to a lot of motorway driving.
Is less mileage always better?
Not necessarily. A car with few kilometres that has only done short trips can show more wear on the engine and the exhaust after-treatment than a car with a higher reading that regularly ran on the motorway. What matters is the overall condition.
What counts as too high a mileage?
From around 200'000 km a car is considered high-mileage. Beyond that the risk of expensive repairs rises: clutch, turbo, timing chain or gearbox. Modern cars can still reach 300'000 km if they have been well maintained.
Related guides
- Used car from a dealer – What to look at when buying from a dealer.
- Used car or new car – Which one pays off more?
- Car insurance in Switzerland – Third-party liability, partial and comprehensive cover explained.
- To the vehicle marketplace – Used cars with a transparent mileage.