How Many Miles in a Used Car is Good?

How Many Miles is "Too Many" for a Used Luxury or Sports Car?

Note: The advice below is based on general automotive industry standards and our experience with performance vehicles. Every car is unique. We always recommend a professional inspection and reviewing service records before purchasing any pre-owned vehicle.

One of the first questions we get at Prime Motors Co when someone is looking at a BMW M3, an Audi RS5, or a Range Rover is: "Is this mileage high?"

It is the right question to ask, but the answer is rarely just a number.

In the world of commodity commuting cars, "lower is better" is a safe rule of thumb. But in the world of high-performance German engineering and luxury SUVs, the story is different. A 50,000-mile car can sometimes be a better buy than a 15,000-mile "garage queen."

Here is how to determine what "good mileage" actually looks like for the type of cars we drive in Portland.

The "12,000 Mile" Rule

The industry average for driving is roughly 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year.

Low Mileage: Less than 8,000 miles/year.
Average Mileage: 10,000–12,000 miles/year.
High Mileage: 15,000+ miles/year.

If you are looking at a 4-year-old Mercedes-Benz AMG C63, "average" would be around 48,000 miles. If you see one with 90,000 miles, it’s high. If you see one with 10,000 miles, it’s ultra-low.

Why "Low Mileage" Can Be a Trap for Performance Cars

It is tempting to hunt for the lowest number on the odometer, but for cars like a Porsche 911, BMW M4, or Subaru STI, lack of use can sometimes be as damaging as abuse.

Cars are machines meant to move. When a performance car sits for months or years without being driven:

Seals and gaskets can dry out and crack, leading to oil leaks later.
Tires can develop flat spots.
Batteries degrade.
Fluids sit stagnant.

A vehicle that has been driven regularly (3,000–5,000 miles a year) and brought up to operating temperature frequently is often mechanically "happier" than one that has sat in a garage collection for 3 years untouched.

The "Sweet Spot" for Depreciation vs. Life Left

For luxury buyers, the goal is often to let the first owner take the biggest depreciation hit.

0–15,000 Miles: Practically new. You pay a premium for that "new car smell."
30,000–50,000 Miles (The Sweet Spot): This is where many lease returns land. The car has been broken in, the initial 40–50% depreciation has happened, but the engine and transmission have 80%+ of their life left. Modern engines from BMW, Audi, and Mercedes are easily capable of 150,000+ miles with proper care.
80,000+ Miles: Prices drop significantly. This can be a bargain zone IF the maintenance records are perfect.

Maintenance > Mileage (The Golden Rule)

This is the single most important factor for the cars we sell. A BMW M3 with 70,000 miles and 15 service records is infinitely better than an M3 with 30,000 miles and 0 records.

High-performance engines (like the V8 in an AMG or the Flat-6 in a Porsche) have tight tolerances. They need oil changes on time. They need spark plugs changed. When we curate cars for Prime Motors Co, we aren't just looking at the odometer; we are looking at the CarFax and service history.

Did they do the break-in service?
Did they change the transmission fluid?
Was it serviced at a specialist shop or a generic quick-lube?

City vs. Highway Miles

In Portland, this matters.

City Miles: Stop-and-go traffic on I-5, potholes, constant shifting. 10,000 city miles puts significant wear on the brakes, clutch, and suspension.
Highway Miles: Cruising at 60mph. The oil is hot and circulating, the transmission is in top gear, and the suspension is under low stress.

A car with 60,000 highway miles often has less internal engine wear than a car with 30,000 hard city miles.

The Verdict for Portland Buyers

If you are shopping for a pre-owned luxury or sports car in 2026, don't be afraid of cars with 40k, 50k, or even 60k miles, provided that:

The History is Clean: No accidents, consistent servicing.
The Price Reflects the Miles: You should be saving thousands compared to a lower-mile example.
It Passes Inspection: A Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) can tell you if those miles were "gentle" or "hard."

At Prime Motors Co, we specialize in finding that balance—cars that have been loved, driven enough to keep them healthy, but have years of adrenaline left to give.

Browse our inventory to see low and mid-mileage examples of the world's best performance cars.