How many miles is too many for a used car?

There's no single cutoff. Condition and maintenance history matter more than the odometer alone. A well-maintained car with 120,000 highway miles may be a better buy than a neglected one with 60,000. As a rough benchmark, many people expect about 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year, so compare mileage to the car's age. Always get service records and an independent inspection, especially on higher-mileage vehicles.