Is it safe to buy a high-mileage car in the UAE?

Yes, it can be safe if the car has a full service history, was well maintained, and passes a professional inspection. Highway-driven cars in the UAE often age well.

Which brands handle high mileage best in the UAE?

Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi are the most reliable high-mileage brands in the UAE. Certain Mercedes models are also durable with proper servicing.

What mileage is considered high in Dubai?

In Dubai, cars above 150,000 km are considered high mileage, but many vehicles here reach 300,000 km or more with regular maintenance.

Should I avoid German high-mileage cars?

Not always. German cars like Mercedes, BMW, and Audi can be reliable at high mileage if they have full service history and were maintained at specialist workshops.

What should I check before buying a high-mileage car?

Check service records, engine condition, gearbox smoothness, AC performance, cooling system, and suspension. Always get a computer scan and test drive.

High-Mileage Cars in UAE: Trusted Brands & Buyer Guide

November 5, 2025

UAE Guide to Buying High-Mileage Cars — Which Brands Can You Trust? When you hear “200,000 km” on a car in Dubai, your first instinct might be: no thank you, habibi. But here’s the truth: in the UAE, high-mileage cars can be some of the best value buys, especially if the car spent its life doing smooth highway runs and got regular agency or specialist service. The real question isn’t the mileage — it’s the brand, the service history, and how well ...

UAE Guide to Buying High-Mileage Cars — Which Brands Can You Trust?

When you hear “200,000 km” on a car in Dubai, your first instinct might be: no thank you, habibi.
But here’s the truth: in the UAE, high-mileage cars can be some of the best value buys, especially if the car spent its life doing smooth highway runs and got regular agency or specialist service.

The real question isn’t the mileage — it’s the brand, the service history, and how well it was treated.

So if you're shopping for a budget-friendly ride and don’t mind a car that's lived a full and happy life, this guide’s for you.

What Counts as High Mileage in the UAE?

In most countries, 150,000 km is scary.
In Dubai? That's barely middle-aged for certain brands.

Here’s a UAE rough rule-of-thumb:

Mileage	Meaning
0–80,000 km	Fresh / Low mileage
80,000–150,000 km	Normal for UAE
150,000–250,000 km	High mileage but common
250,000 km+	Veteran stage

A car with 220,000 km and full service history is better than one with 90,000 km and sketchy maintenance.

Best High-Mileage–Friendly Brands in the UAE

Not all brands age gracefully — but these ones do.

Toyota

Bulletproof. Camry, Corolla, Land Cruiser, Prado — engines built for abuse, desert heat, and long distances. If it has service records? Buy it.

Lexus

Luxury Toyota. As reliable as they come.
Lexus LS, GX, ES — cars that often cross 350,000 km+ like it's nothing.

Nissan

Especially Patrol, Altima, Sunny, X-Trail.
Parts are cheap, and they handle heat really well.

Honda

Accord & Civic are high-mileage legends.
Efficient engines, low maintenance, long life.

Mitsubishi

Especially the Pajero — Dubai’s unofficial family adventure SUV.
Routinely found with 300k+ km and still running strong.

Mercedes (Selective Models)

E-Class & S-Class with dealer or specialist service — tanks.
Avoid neglected ones; luxury repairs are expensive.

BMW & Audi (Special Cases)

Super rewarding if maintained. Painful if not.
Look for service history, specialist maintenance, recent mechanical work.

Pro Tip: Prestige German + cheap price + high mileage + no service history = you will cry.

Brands to Be More Careful With at High Mileage

(Not hate — just things get sensitive)

Fiat / Alfa Romeo
Some Ford models
French brands (Peugeot, Renault)
Dodge/Chrysler older V6/V8 models
Some Korean turbo vehicles

They can be great — if well-maintained, but repairs can stack fast past 180k km.

Key Things to Check Before Buying a High-Mileage Car in the UAE

Full service history (agency or specialist)
Cooling system health (UAE heat!)
Engine oil leaks or burning oil
Transmission shifts smooth?
Suspension noise
AC performance (critical here)
No overheating history
Pre-purchase computer scan & test drive

If a seller says “no time for inspection” → walk away like a UAE influencer leaving the mall when they don't find valet

Should You Buy Agency-Maintained High-Mileage Cars?

Absolutely, yes.
Agency records = confidence.
But good specialist workshop history is also excellent.

A car with:

Regular oil changes
Gearbox serviced on time
Radiator/cooling maintained
Brake/suspension replaced when needed

…will outlive a neglected low-km car.

When a High-Mileage Car is a Smart Buy

Go for it if you want:

Lower price
Same reliability
Known maintenance history
Car that still drives like new

Avoid if you want:

Brand-new feel
Resale priority
Zero maintenance stress

Final Thought

Mileage isn't the enemy — bad maintenance is.

A Dubai-to-Abu-Dhabi commuter Camry with 240,000 km is safer than a “only 60,000 km but used only inside Dubai for school runs and dusty parking lots” SUV.

Buy smart, inspect well, and you'll win big on value.

Brand & Model	Type / Segment	Why High-Mileage Works	What to Check at High Mileage	Estimated Annual Maintenance*
Toyota Camry (sedan)	Mid-size family sedan	Proven reliability, many highway km, strong parts/support network in UAE.	Service history, timing belt (if applicable), cooling system, gearbox smoothness.	~ AED 1,500-2,500 for normal models.
Toyota Corolla (compact)	Compact sedan/hatch	Some of the lowest maintenance cost brands in region; good longevity.	Suspension wear, interior condition, typical “daily taxi” abuse if used commercially.	~ AED 1,200-2,000 per year.
Lexus GX (SUV)	Large luxury SUV (4×4)	Built like a tank; still very reliable in high-mileage if maintained.	Check off-road/4×4 usage, check major service history, potential big-ticket items (suspension, drivetrain).	While international data: ~$770/year average US for unscheduled repairs. UAE cost likely higher due to climate/usage.
Nissan Patrol (SUV)	Full-size SUV (4×4)	Strong in the region, good for long life if owners kept up maintenance.	Engine and gearbox service, off-road damage, air suspension (if fitted) condition.	Estimate similar to other large SUVs — expect higher than sedans.
Honda Civic / Honda Accord	Compact/Mid-size sedan	Simpler mechanics, good reputation for durability globally.	Engine condition, major service items, check service history.	Probably in same ballpark as Camry for maintenance but verify locally.

Explore More:

- Best Used Sedans for High-Mileage Commuters in Dubai | Auto Trader UAE

- Sell Your High-Mileage Car in Dubai with Ease & Get Top price

Wrap-Up

If you’re hunting for high-mileage but reliable used cars in Dubai, brands like Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi offer amazing longevity and value. You can browse a huge range of well-maintained used cars, SUVs, and 4x4s in the UAE at Auto Trader UAE — your trusted marketplace for the best deals. Check the latest listings on www.autotraders.ae for reliable used cars for sale in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and across the UAE.