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Is this mileage good for the car's age?
Enter the registration date and mileage. We compare it with official DfT figures for every year the car has been on the road.
On the V5C logbook or the advert. The plate's age identifier gives the half-year.
DfT only reports hybrids (8,100 mi/yr) and electric cars (9,400 mi/yr) for recent years, so they're compared with all cars.
Enter the registration date and mileage to see the result.
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Typical mileage by car age
Total miles a car registered this month that many years ago would typically have covered by today, adding up the DfT average for each year.
| Car age | All cars | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 7,100 | 6,200 | 8,000 |
| 2 years | 14,200 | 12,400 | 16,100 |
| 3 years | 21,300 | 18,600 | 24,400 |
| 4 years | 28,200 | 24,700 | 32,600 |
| 5 years | 34,700 | 30,300 | 40,200 |
| 6 years | 40,400 | 35,300 | 47,300 |
| 7 years | 47,500 | 41,300 | 56,100 |
| 8 years | 55,200 | 47,800 | 65,500 |
| 10 years | 70,900 | 60,900 | 85,300 |
| 12 years | 86,800 | 73,900 | 106,200 |
| 15 years | 111,000 | 94,200 | 138,400 |
Average annual mileage by year
| Year | All cars | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7,100 | 6,200 | 8,000 |
| 2024 | 7,100 | 6,200 | 8,300 |
| 2023 | 7,000 | 6,100 | 8,300 |
| 2022 | 6,800 | 6,000 | 8,000 |
| 2021 | 5,400 | 4,700 | 6,600 |
| 2020 | 6,900 | 5,900 | 8,500 |
| 2019 | 7,600 | 6,400 | 9,500 |
| 2018 | 7,800 | 6,600 | 9,400 |
| 2017 | 7,900 | 6,500 | 10,100 |
| 2016 | 7,900 | 6,500 | 10,200 |
| 2015 | 8,000 | 6,500 | 10,600 |
Source: Department for Transport, National Travel Survey table NTS0901, England, updated 10 September 2026. Miles per car per year as estimated by owners, rounded to the nearest 100. Years before 2002 use the 2002 figure, and the current year uses the latest published one.
How to read the result
- Very low (under half the typical mileage). Less than half the usual mileage for its age. Great if it's genuine, but very low mileage is also what a clocked car looks like, so check the readings in the MOT history and service records climb steadily. Cars that sit unused can also need tyres, brakes and a battery.
- Below average (50–80% of typical). Lower than most cars this age. Usually a plus, as long as the MOT and service records back the figure up.
- About average (80–120% of typical). Right where you'd expect for its age. At this point, condition and service history tell you more than the number.
- Above average (120–160% of typical). Higher than most cars this age, often from commuting or motorway driving, which is gentler on a car than lots of short trips. Check the servicing kept up with the extra miles, and factor the mileage into the price.
- High (over 160% of typical). Well above typical. Not a deal-breaker on its own, but expect more wear and a lower price, and check that big jobs like the clutch, suspension and timing belt have been done.
These bands are our rule of thumb, not an official standard. A number on its own can't prove a car hasn't been clocked. Our guide on how to spot odometer fraud covers what else to check.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average mileage per year in the UK?
According to the Department for Transport's National Travel Survey, the average car in England covered 7,100 miles in 2025: 6,200 for petrol, 8,000 for diesel, 8,100 for hybrids and 9,400 for battery electric cars. It was 9,200 in 2002 and fell to 5,400 in 2021 during the pandemic.
What is good mileage for a 10-year-old car?
About 70,900 miles is typical for a car that is exactly 10 years old today, based on DfT figures for each of those years. Under 56,700 is below average and over 85,100 is above average. Petrol cars usually sit lower and diesels higher.
Is high mileage bad on a used car?
Not on its own. Motorway miles are easier on a car than the same distance in short trips, and a well-serviced high-mileage car is often a better buy than a neglected low-mileage one. High mileage should mean a lower price, and you should check that wear items like the clutch, suspension and timing belt have been dealt with.
Is low mileage always a good thing?
Usually, but not always. Very low mileage can mean the car sat unused or did only short trips, which is hard on batteries, brakes and diesel particulate filters. It is also what a clocked car looks like, so make sure the records support the figure.
How can I check the mileage is genuine?
The free GOV.UK MOT history check shows the mileage recorded at every MOT, which starts when the car is three years old. Dealer service records fill in the readings between MOTs, including the first three years. Look for a steady climb. A reading that drops, or a long gap with no readings, is worth asking about.
Why compare year by year instead of using one average?
Because driving habits changed. The average car did 8,100 miles in 2012 but 5,400 in 2021. Multiplying a car's age by one flat figure overstates what's normal for cars that lived through lockdown and understates it for older cars. This checker adds up the official figure for each year the car has been on the road.