Buying guide
What's a good mileage for a used car?
As a rough guide, Australian cars average around 12,000–15,000 km a year. Compare the odometer to the car's age — but remember, how it was maintained matters more than the exact number.
Checking a specific car?
Paste the listing and get the likely risks, fair price and inspection checklist for that exact vehicle.
The rough rule of thumb
Multiply the car's age by ~13,000–15,000 km for a 'normal' reading. Well below that is low-km; well above is high-km. It's a starting point, not a verdict.
Why very low km isn't always better
A car that's barely been driven can have its own issues — perished seals, flat spots on tyres, and short-trip-only wear (hard on diesels especially). Low km still needs the same checks.
What beats the odometer
Service history, condition, number of owners and how the car was used (highway vs stop-start) tell you more than the raw number. A high-km, well-serviced car can be the better buy.
Quick checklist
- ✓Compare odometer to age (~13,000–15,000 km/year is average)
- ✓Service history consistent with the kilometres
- ✓Very low km: check for perished seals, old tyres, short-trip wear
- ✓Condition and owner count over the raw number
Frequently asked questions
How many kilometres is good for a used car?
Around 12,000–15,000 km per year of age is average in Australia. Below that is low-km, above is high-km — but a well-serviced high-km car can beat a neglected low-km one, so weigh history and condition too.
Is low mileage always better?
Not always. Very low-km cars can suffer from sitting — perished seals, aged tyres and short-trip wear. Low km still needs a full inspection and service-history check.
Checking a specific car?
Paste the listing and get the likely risks, fair price and inspection checklist for that exact vehicle.
How many kms is too many for a specific model?
The answer changes a lot by model — here it is for the ones people ask about most.
Keep reading
General guidance for Australian buyers — not a PPSR check, mechanical inspection, or guarantee about any specific car. Always inspect the exact vehicle and consider a pre-purchase inspection before buying.