Quick Answer: How Many Km Is Too Many?
For most modern Australian vehicles:
| Mileage Range | Assessment | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Under 100,000 km | Low mileage | Usually a safe buy |
| 100,000-150,000 km | Average (5-8 year car) | Good value if serviced |
| 150,000-200,000 km | Higher mileage | Fine with full service history |
| 200,000-300,000 km | High mileage | Reliable brands only, full history essential |
| Over 300,000 km | Very high | Only for Toyota/Lexus/Land Cruiser |
The real answer: Service history matters more than kilometres. A well-maintained 200,000 km Toyota is often a better buy than an 80,000 km mystery car.
CQ quick take
In Central Queensland (CQ), higher km is common - long highway runs between towns are normal. What matters is whether the car has been serviced properly and whether the history checks out.
- Always run a PPSR check to avoid cars with money owing or write-off history.
- If you want help assessing higher-km vehicles and negotiating from Rockhampton, Mackay or Gladstone, talk to a Central Queensland car broker.
Why Kilometres Alone Don't Tell the Story
"It's got 180,000 km—is that too much?" It's one of the most common questions we get. And the answer is always: it depends.
Highway vs City Kilometres
100,000 highway km is often easier on a car than 50,000 city km.
| Driving Type | Engine Wear | Brake Wear | Transmission | Overall Stress |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highway | Low (steady temp) | Low (rarely used) | Low (high gear) | Lower |
| City | Higher (stop-start) | High (constant) | Higher (shifting) | Higher |
Real Central Queensland example: A mining worker's car with 200,000 km of highway driving between Rockhampton and Blackwater may be in better condition than a Mackay city car with 100,000 km of urban traffic.
The Average Australian Drives 12,000-15,000 km/Year
Use this to assess if mileage is high or low for the car's age:
| Car Age | Expected Km Range | Above Average | Below Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 36,000-45,000 km | Over 60,000 km | Under 25,000 km |
| 5 years | 60,000-75,000 km | Over 100,000 km | Under 40,000 km |
| 7 years | 84,000-105,000 km | Over 140,000 km | Under 60,000 km |
| 10 years | 120,000-150,000 km | Over 200,000 km | Under 80,000 km |
Warning: Very low km for age can be a red flag. Cars that sit unused develop their own issues—dried seals, flat-spotted tyres, corroded brake rotors, dead batteries.
Which Cars Handle High Km Best?
Built for High Mileage (Often Fine at 250,000+ km)
| Vehicle | Typical Life Expectancy | Why It Lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota LandCruiser | 400,000+ km | Overengineered, simple mechanics |
| Toyota HiLux | 350,000+ km | Fleet-proven, parts availability |
| Toyota Prado | 350,000+ km | Bulletproof drivetrains |
| Isuzu D-MAX | 300,000+ km | Commercial-grade engineering |
| Mazda BT-50 | 300,000+ km | Shared platform with D-MAX |
| Mitsubishi Triton | 280,000+ km | Reliable, cheap to maintain |
| Nissan Patrol | 400,000+ km | Legendary durability |
More Sensitive to Mileage (Be Cautious Over 150,000 km)
| Vehicle Type | Concerns at High Km |
|---|---|
| European luxury (BMW, Audi, Mercedes) | Expensive repairs, electronic complexity |
| Turbocharged petrol engines | Turbo wear, carbon buildup |
| Older Korean vehicles (pre-2015) | Variable quality control |
| High-performance vehicles | Driven hard, expensive components |
| CVT transmissions | Can fail 150,000-200,000 km |
| Dual-clutch transmissions | Clutch pack wear |
What Wears Out at Each Mileage Milestone?
100,000-150,000 km: Regular Maintenance Items
Expect these to need attention:
- Spark plugs ($150-$400)
- Brake pads and rotors ($400-$800)
- Battery ($150-$300)
- Suspension bushes ($300-$600)
- Serpentine belt ($100-$200)
- Air and cabin filters ($50-$150)
- Possibly clutch on manual ($1,200-$2,500)
150,000-200,000 km: Major Service Items
Add to the checklist:
- Timing belt/chain tensioners ($800-$1,500)
- Water pump ($400-$800)
- CV joints and boots ($300-$600 per side)
- Wheel bearings ($200-$400 each)
- Alternator ($400-$800)
- Starter motor ($300-$600)
- Transmission fluid change ($200-$400)
200,000+ km: Potential Major Work
Be prepared for possibilities:
- Engine rebuild/replacement ($3,000-$10,000+)
- Transmission rebuild ($2,500-$6,000)
- Full suspension overhaul ($1,500-$3,000)
- Electrical gremlins (variable)
- Rust repair (older vehicles)
- Air conditioning compressor ($800-$1,500)
How to Evaluate a High-Km Car: 5-Step Process
Step 1: Verify Service History
Must have (non-negotiable for high km):
- ✅ Logbook with dealer/mechanic stamps
- ✅ Evidence of timing belt replacement (if applicable)
- ✅ Oil change records (every 10,000-15,000 km)
- ✅ Major service receipts
Nice to have:
- Original service booklet
- Single owner history
- Fleet maintenance records (often excellent)
No service history = walk away at high kilometres. You're buying a gamble.
Step 2: Get a Professional Pre-Purchase Inspection
At 150,000+ km, this is non-negotiable. A $250-$350 inspection can save $5,000+ in surprise repairs.
Tell the inspector:
- The exact km reading
- What you'll use the car for
- How long you plan to keep it
- Ask specifically about items due at this mileage
Step 3: Research That Specific Model
Google: "[make] [model] [year] common problems Australia"
Examples:
- "Toyota Prado 150 series common problems"
- "Ford Ranger 3.2 issues"
- "Mazda CX-5 2017 known faults"
Know what to look for and what questions to ask.
Step 4: Test Drive Properly (30+ Minutes)
Listen for:
- Engine noises—ticking, knocking, rattling
- Transmission whine or clunks
- Suspension knocks over bumps
- Exhaust blowing or rattling
- Power steering pump noise
Feel for:
- Smooth gear changes (auto and manual)
- Strong, straight braking
- Steering that doesn't pull
- No vibrations at highway speed
- Engine pulls strongly uphill
Check:
- Cold start behaviour (arrive unannounced)
- Operating temperature stability
- All warning lights clear
Step 5: Negotiate Based on Km and Condition
High km should = lower price. Use upcoming maintenance as leverage:
Example negotiation: "The timing belt is due at 200,000 km—that's $1,200. The brakes are at 70%. I'm offering $X to account for that."
When High Km Is Worth It
Buy the high-km car if:
- ✅ Full, verifiable service history
- ✅ Known reliable model (Toyota, Lexus, Isuzu)
- ✅ Price properly reflects mileage (20-30% below low-km equivalent)
- ✅ Professional inspection passes
- ✅ Mostly highway kilometres
- ✅ Single or known ownership history
- ✅ You're not keeping it long-term (2-3 years)
Real CQ Example
We found a client a 2017 Toyota HiLux SR5 with 220,000 km:
- Full dealer service history from Rockhampton Toyota
- One owner: Mining company fleet vehicle
- Timing belt done at 200,000 km (receipts provided)
- All highway km between Rocky and mine site
- Price: $32,000 vs $45,000+ for similar spec at 120,000 km
Result: Two years later, now at 280,000 km, still running perfectly. Client saved $13,000+ and got a well-maintained workhorse.
When to Walk Away
Skip the high-km car if:
- ❌ No service history or "lost" records
- ❌ Known unreliable model at that mileage
- ❌ Multiple unknown previous owners
- ❌ Price doesn't reflect the kilometres
- ❌ Pre-purchase inspection reveals issues
- ❌ Complex vehicle (turbo, European, performance)
- ❌ Seller is evasive about history or usage
- ❌ Car has been sitting unused for extended periods
Central Queensland-Specific Considerations
In CQ, high-km cars come from different sources—each with different implications:
Mining Fleet Vehicles ⭐ Often Excellent Buys
- Usually highway km (Bowen Basin, Blackwater, Emerald runs)
- Maintained to schedule (fleet management requirements)
- Single corporate owner (no teenager thrashing it)
- Examples: HiLux, LandCruiser, Prado, Ranger, D-MAX
Station/Property Vehicles ⚠️ Inspect Carefully
- Harder kilometres (dusty roads, cattle grids, creek crossings)
- May have towing wear (trailers, horse floats)
- Often well-maintained but harsh conditions
- Check: Suspension, undercarriage, cooling system
Coastal Vehicles (Yeppoon, Emu Park) ⚠️ Check for Salt
- Salt air corrosion on undercarriage and components
- Brake components deteriorate faster
- Electrical connectors can corrode
- Best if garaged near the coast
Rental Returns ⚠️ Mixed Bag
- Maintained on schedule (company requirements)
- But driven by strangers who don't care
- Often thrashed in first gear, hard braking
- Reasonable if price reflects uncertainty
The Sweet Spot for CQ Buyers
Best value typically sits at:
| Criteria | Sweet Spot Range |
|---|---|
| Kilometres | 80,000-130,000 km |
| Age | 3-6 years old |
| Service history | Full with receipts |
| Ownership | Single owner or fleet |
| Price vs new | 40-55% of new price |
At this point:
- Major depreciation already occurred
- Still has significant life remaining
- Modern safety features included
- Parts readily available
- Not yet into major service territory
Our Approach at CQ Car Brokers
When searching for clients, we filter by km—but then look much deeper:
- Service history verified (we call previous service centres)
- Owner history checked (PPSR, rego history)
- Usage assessed (highway vs city, towing, conditions)
- Pre-purchase inspection arranged (our trusted inspectors)
- Price negotiated based on km and upcoming maintenance
A "high-km" car with the right history is often a better buy than a "low-km" mystery with no records.
Next steps (free help)
- Tell us what you're looking for
- We can buy the car for you (and inspect it)
- Need finance first?
- Selling your current car?
- Queensland car broker
- Rockhampton car broker
- Mackay car broker
- Gladstone car broker
- PPSR check guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 200,000 km too many for a used car?
Not necessarily. For Toyota, Lexus, Isuzu, and other reliable brands with full service history, 200,000 km can be a great value buy. The key is verified maintenance records—especially timing belt replacement if applicable. Avoid 200,000 km European luxury cars or vehicles with no service history.
How many km should a 10 year old car have?
The average Australian drives 12,000-15,000 km per year, so a 10-year-old car should have approximately 120,000-150,000 km. Significantly less (under 80,000 km) can indicate the car sat unused—which causes its own problems. Significantly more (over 200,000 km) isn't necessarily bad if it's mostly highway driving with full service records.
Are highway kilometres better than city kilometres?
Yes, generally. Highway driving keeps the engine at consistent temperature, uses brakes less, keeps the transmission in higher gears, and puts less stress on suspension. 100,000 highway km is typically easier on a car than 50,000 city km of stop-start traffic.
Should I buy a high mileage Toyota HiLux?
A Toyota HiLux with 200,000+ km and full service history can be an excellent buy. HiLux are designed for commercial use and regularly exceed 300,000 km with proper maintenance. Check that the timing belt has been replaced (due at 150,000 km), verify service history, and get a pre-purchase inspection. Mining fleet HiLux are often particularly good buys.
What mileage is too high for a diesel 4WD?
Diesel 4WDs like LandCruiser, Prado, Patrol, and D-MAX are built for high mileage. With full service history, 250,000-300,000 km is often acceptable. Key items to check: DPF condition, injector health, turbo condition, and timing chain/belt service history. Avoid high-km diesels that have only done short trips—they suffer from DPF and carbon issues.
How do I know if a high-km car has been well maintained?
Look for: complete service logbook with stamps, receipts for major services, evidence of timing belt replacement, single or few owners, consistent service intervals (not gaps), and records from reputable workshops or dealers. A pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic is essential—they can identify signs of neglected maintenance.
Is it worth buying a car with 150,000 km?
For most reliable brands (Toyota, Mazda, Hyundai post-2015, Kia), 150,000 km with service history represents good value—you avoid the steepest depreciation while getting plenty of remaining life. Budget for timing belt replacement if not done, and expect to replace wear items like brakes and suspension components within 1-2 years.
Ready to Find the Right Car?
Tell us what you need and we'll find it—whether that's a low-km cream puff or a well-maintained workhorse with some honest km under its belt.
We search across Rockhampton, Mackay, Gladstone, and nationwide to find the right car at the right km for your situation.
Start your search and let us do the hard work.
