Despite a lingering wariness among UK drivers, high-mileage vehicles are proving to be far more reliable than many assume. New research from eBay, the UK’s leading online marketplace for vehicle parts and accessories, reveals that 81% of drivers hesitate to buy a car with high mileage. Nearly three quarters admit they would avoid any vehicle with over 100,000 miles, while more than half shy away from cars exceeding 50,000 miles. This cautious approach may be causing Brits to miss out on affordable and dependable used cars.
eBay’s study found that, on average, drivers consider a car high-mileage once it hits 96,000 miles, yet the typical car on UK roads has clocked just 58,134 miles. To challenge these preconceptions, eBay acquired a 64-plate Toyota Prius with 293,000 miles on the clock. The vehicle will be meticulously maintained using both new and Certified Recycled eBay parts by Laura Kennedy, founder of Spanners with Manners, a female-led garage in North London. Kennedy emphasizes that cars over 100,000 miles can be excellent value if properly serviced and maintained. Modern vehicles, particularly hybrids and electric models, are engineered to endure far longer than many drivers expect.
The figures reinforce this perspective. A Freedom of Information request submitted by eBay revealed that over six million UK vehicles had more than 100,000 miles at MOT testing last year, with nearly 407,000 exceeding 200,000 miles. Around 43,000 cars had passed the 300,000-mile mark, and close to 2,700 had travelled more than 500,000 miles. The rise of hybrids and electric vehicles in the high-mileage category also highlights the longevity of modern powertrains, with more than 93,000 hybrids surpassing 100,000 miles and nearly 32,000 exceeding 200,000 miles.
Attitudes towards car ownership are evolving. While 85% of drivers are open to keeping their current vehicles longer than their previous ones, generational differences exist. Younger drivers aged 18–24 plan to hold vehicles for just 4.5 years on average, compared with 6.1 years across all age groups. Meanwhile, drivers aged 65 and over are more likely to retain their cars for nearly seven years.
Abir Tewari, UK Director of Commercial Operations, Parts & Accessories at eBay, notes that high-mileage vehicles can deliver exceptional value, particularly hybrids with their low running costs. The extensive eBay parts and accessories catalogue, coupled with the My Garage registration tool, simplifies sourcing the right components, allowing vehicles to remain roadworthy well past 100,000 miles. eBay’s partnerships with manufacturers such as Toyota, Ford, MINI, BMW, Renault, and Lexus further ensure that both current and older models can be maintained with genuine OEM parts.
High-mileage cars may have been underestimated, but with careful maintenance and access to the right parts, they are emerging as a savvy choice for UK drivers looking for reliability and value.
