Average car mileage calculator: is this mileage high?

Is this mileage high for its age?

Enter the year the car was first registered and the mileage on the advert. We'll compare it with the average for a car in England.

Last updated 7 October 2026.

What's a normal mileage?

A car in England covers about 7,100 miles a year on average (Department for Transport, National Travel Survey, table NTS0901: 7,100 miles in both 2024 and 2025). Lots of cars do more or less than that, so use it as a guide, not a rule.

Low mileage isn't always good news

A low mileage makes a used car look more valuable, which is exactly why some sellers wind back the odometer. A genuine low-mileage car will have MOT readings that rise slowly and steadily. A clocked car often shows a reading lower than an earlier one, or a sudden slowdown after years of high mileage.

High mileage isn't always bad news

Motorway miles are gentle on a car. A high-mileage car with a full service history can be a better buy than a low-mileage one that sat unused. Check the MOT history for wear-related failures and advisories that kept coming back.

Mileage is only part of the story. A car with sensible miles can still be an insurance write-off or have finance owed on it, so run a write-off check and a finance check before you pay.

Average mileage by age

Car age	Typical mileage
1 year	about 7,100 miles
2 years	about 14,200 miles
3 years	about 21,300 miles
4 years	about 28,400 miles
5 years	about 35,500 miles
6 years	about 42,600 miles
7 years	about 49,700 miles
8 years	about 56,800 miles
9 years	about 63,900 miles
10 years	about 71,000 miles
11 years	about 78,100 miles
12 years	about 85,200 miles
13 years	about 92,300 miles
14 years	about 99,400 miles
15 years	about 106,500 miles

Questions buyers ask

What is the average mileage per year in the UK?

A car in England covers about 7,100 miles a year on average, according to the Department for Transport's National Travel Survey 2024.

Is 10,000 miles a year high?

It's above the average of about 7,100 miles, but it's common for commuters. What matters more is that the car was serviced and the MOT readings rise steadily.

Is low mileage a red flag?

Not on its own, but it's worth checking. A wound-back odometer is designed to look like low mileage. The MOT history shows every recorded reading, so you can see whether they add up.

How can I check a car's real mileage?

Look at the odometer readings recorded at each MOT. Car Control's mileage check charts every reading and flags any that are lower than an earlier one.