Hoot Guide to Mileage

It's not exactly the most exciting subject, but mileage is really important as it tells you a great deal about a car.

It's one of the first things you should look for when buying second hand, and keeping tabs on your odometer is a great way to monitor your engine condition and driving style.

We'll explain why lowering your annual mileage is important if you want a cheap car insurance premium, particularly if you choose a telematics (or 'pay-as-you-drive') policy.

However, there's also some consolation for drivers whose massive annual mileage is likely to prevent them from finding cheap car insurance. We'll tell you which of the car manufacturers run so-called 'High Mileage Clubs' - and how many miles you need to qualify for membership.

Mileage and used cars
Many buyers won't even consider a secondhand car that's advertised without a stated mileage - and for good reason. Beyond make and model, mileage probably says more about a used car than any other listed quality.

The reason for this is simple: car parts wear out over distance. Though the technology in vehicles has become increasingly sophisticated in recent years, they are still - broadly speaking - machines built from various mechanical parts, and subject to wear and tear through use.

As a buyer yourself therefore, always pay more attention to a car's mileage than its age - which really says little about its condition. It's quite possible for a ten-year-old motor to run far better and more reliably than its five-year-old neighbour, if the former has been driven less.

Of course, those of us who are short on funds often turn to higher-mileage buys to save a little money, and exactly where to set the high mileage cut-off point is up to you.

For budgets under £1,000, used cars with 40,000 to 60,000 miles on the clock can usually be considered a good buy. Take this only as a rule of thumb, however - and don't let yourself be blinded to a car's faults by a particularly low mileage.

Similarly, don't put too much faith in the number displayed on a used car's odometer. Through a well-known scam called 'clocking' - which is basically tampering with a meter so it displays a lower mileage - criminals have fooled many a buyer into paying over the odds for a banger.

Fortunately, clocked cars are quite easy to identify if you keep your wits about you. Check the rest of the vehicle for signs of wear (threadbare upholstery is a good example) and don't hand over any money unless you're confident this tallies with what's on the clock.

Keeping a mileage log
An accurate odometer makes a remarkably useful diagnostic tool where developing car faults are concerned. It's also a good yardstick against which to measure your own improving (or worsening) skills at the wheel.

The secret is to keep a mileage log. A notebook that fits in your glove box is ideal. Use it to record your current mileage from the clock every time you fill up with petrol, or on a given day each month if you prefer.

Having this information to hand is useful in all kinds of situations, not least of which is your next motor insurance renewal (use it to calculate last year's mileage).

Besides that, keep your eyes peeled for a fill-up or month that yielded fewer miles than normal, as this can be an early sign of developing engine or mechanical trouble. And if the indicated fuel efficiency is going up (i.e. you're getting more miles to the gallon on the same brand of petrol) that's a sign that your driving skills are improving.

Mileage and cheap car insurance
It makes sense for car insurance companies to reward drivers with a low annual mileage - they'll spend less time on the road and therefore pose less of a risk of crashing.

However, traditional cheap car insurance policies can't keep tabs on your day-to-day travels and you'll end up paying the same, in many cases, whether you drive one mile or a hundred. You will, however, be expected to declare your previous year's mileage at renewal time - and a high figure is likely to rule out a really cheap car insurance rate next year.

Many low-mileage drivers are attracted to so-called 'pay-as-you-drive' (PAYD) car insurance policies, which put more emphasis on the number of miles you cover when calculating premiums. Many firms now offer PAYD, but the two which pioneered the technology in the UK are Norwich Union and More Than.

These policies rely on black box telematics to pin-point the location of your car at all times, meaning very accurate tabs can be kept on your mileage. PAYD car insurance premiums are updated every month to reflect your car usage - so you really do 'pay as you drive'.

High mileage clubs
There's some consolation if above-average mileage is driving up the price of your motor insurance - you could always join the 'High Mileage Club' for your particular make of car.

Some manufacturers (such as Subaru, Honda and especially Volvo) are well-known for the reliability and longevity of the cars they produce. It's not unusual to see their models still running strong with 150,000 and 200,000 miles on the clock - and in Volvo's case, even a million miles isn't that unusual.

All the above firms have their own High Mileage Club for owners whose odometers have hit a certain threshold (generally 100,000 miles). Those who register receive badges and window stickers to mark the achievement, and get the opportunity to swap maintenance tips and stories of epic car journeys with other members.

Cheap car insurance from Hoot
Whatever your clock reading, try Hoot for a cheap car insurance quote that'll knock your socks off.

Our car insurance policies are typically so much cheaper than the rest because we don't waste money on advertising or on renting high street shops. We make big savings as an online car insurance firm, and we pass them all onto you in the form of really cheap car insurance - simple.

Almost as simple, in fact, as getting a cheaper car insurance quote from us. Just click below and see what we mean.