A car that is four years old should have around 48,000 miles. A car that is five years old should have around 60,000 miles. A car that is six years old should have around 72,000 miles. A car that is seven years old should have around 84,000 miles.

In the 2026 used car market, 72,000 miles is not considered "a lot" for most modern vehicles. With improvements in engine technology and synthetic oils, many cars are now expected to last well beyond 200,000 miles if properly maintained. 72k is generally viewed as "mid-life." For a car that is 5 or 6 years old, this represents an average of 12,000–14,000 miles per year, which is perfectly standard. However, 72k is a critical "maintenance milestone." Many vehicles require significant (and expensive) service at the 60k-75k mark, such as new tires, brake pads, spark plugs, or even a timing belt replacement. When buying a car with 72,000 miles, the "high mileage" status matters less than the service history; a 72k-mile car with a perfect maintenance log is a better buy than a 40k-mile car that has never seen an oil change. For electric vehicles (EVs), 72k miles is even less concerning, as there are fewer moving parts to wear out, though you should check the battery health report to ensure minimal degradation.