Can some one explain mileage on a car?

You never really know.

You might have a car with 10,000 miles on it that has never had an oil change, and is driven like a race car - or one with 175,000+ that has had all routine maintenance and still runs perfectly.

My friend had a Lexus SC400 with 200K on the odometer that would literally eat other cars for lunch - his ex-girlfriend had one with 300K on it.

Any potential purchase should have ALL maintenance records, and should be checked out by a mechanic (not a guarantee - but they can spot major red flags). A car with 27,000 miles on it is fairly low - and may still include a warranty (make sure it transfers), but depending on the make/model, who owned it, and (of course) how much they want for it - it may or may not be a 'good deal'.

12,000 miles per year is the current standard. But mileage alone does not indicate reliability. A well cared for car with 50,000 miles on it is a much better vehicle than a car with 27,000 miles that has been abused and neglected.

How the car was maintained while it was racking up those miles is the ONLY determining factor for reliability. If the car was well cared for, the oil changed regularly and the car was not abused and driven too hard. It will be a good car regardless of the miles.

A car that went too long between oil changes, a car that was never properly maintained and a car that was driven hard and abused no matter how low the miles are on it isn't going to be a good choice.

from what I understand most cars can take 165,000 miles before it needs a new engine. There are some that you can drive over 200,000 miles on the odometer.

Some salesmen travel over 50,000 miles a year. I work from home so I put 1,000 miles on my car per year. So sure, a car that has 27,000 on it means it's only been driven around one year or less. Because it's not new you'd get a fair discount on it if you buy at a well-known dealership.

Odometer reading (mileage) has to do with how long a car can go before it needs the engine replaced. Most people get a new car before it comes to needing the engine replaced. But of course there are certainly other things on a car that could die or break down when you own a car.

Every car is different. There is no such thing as a car breaking down at a certain mileage. Some cars with low mileage are junk, and some with high mileage are jewels. The ONLY way to know the difference is to have a professional mechanic inspect the car BEFORE you buy it.

mileage is of course relevant as regard wear and tear but it isnt the whole story

on balance 27000 wouldnt be much for a five yr old vehicle but may be a lot for a one yr old vehicle

even so, 27000 in one year may indicate country miles which are better than city miles for a variety of reasons

truly I dont consider miles indicative of anything much unless theyre stupid rather service records and actual condition of the vehicle

any vehicle that doesnt have complete service records is always a red flag - or else service records that dont include servicing at manufacturer recommended intervals

that all being said - always worth having a mechanic have a look over it - money well spent

In the UK around 10000 miles per year of life is average

There are no set rules on what you ask about whatsoever and even peoples own ideas of the answers will vary around the world or even within a country.

Too may people focus on the engine as the problem for high miler cars when in fact all of the mechanical parts are subject to wear and tear. (brakes, transmission, differential, suspension, steering etc etc etc)

100,000 miles is the start of most "major" maintenance/repairs. If the prior owner followed the recommended service plan, you should be able to get an additional 50,000 - 100,000 miles before serious repair issues make the car not worth repairing.

0 miles is best. 200k, not so good.

The more miles, the shorter the remaining serviceable life.