Average Annual Kilometres
The Australian average is about 13,000-15,000km per year. A 5-year-old car with 65,000-75,000km is 'average' mileage. Below this is 'low km', above is 'high km'.
Low Km Isn't Always Better
A car that's done 30,000km in 5 years has been sitting a lot. Seals dry out, batteries fail, brakes corrode, and tyres flat-spot. A well-maintained car with average kilometres is often a better buy than a neglected low-km vehicle.
High Km Can Be Fine
Highway kilometres are gentler than city stop-start driving. A 150,000km highway car may have less wear than a 90,000km city car. Service history matters more than the odometer number.
The Sweet Spot
For used car buying, 40,000-80,000km on a 3-5 year old vehicle is ideal. You get a modern car with years of life left at a significant discount from new.
Odometer Fraud
Unfortunately, odometer tampering exists. Warning signs: worn steering wheel/pedals inconsistent with stated km, service history gaps, and dashboard replacement. A vehicle history report helps verify the odometer.