What is considered high mileage for a Subaru?
Generally, about 150,000 miles (240,000 kilometers) is considered high mileage for a Subaru; many Subarus reach 200,000 miles or more with proper maintenance. But the real story is maintenance history, model year, and how the vehicle has been cared for over time.
Mileage benchmarks and what they mean for Subaru owners
General guidelines
Below is a practical ladder of mileage ranges you’ll hear when talking about Subarus, with what each tier typically implies about condition and maintenance needs.
- Low mileage: under 100,000 miles — often seen as a fresh or lightly used example, though maintenance history still matters.
- Average mileage: 100,000–150,000 miles — a common range for many 5–10 year-old Subarus; success depends on service history and driving habits.
- High mileage: 150,000–200,000 miles — not unusual for Subarus with regular maintenance; components such as the drivetrain and suspension may require more attention or replacement parts.
- Very high mileage: 200,000+ miles — achievable with meticulous upkeep; ownership costs may rise as wear items accumulate, but well-maintained examples can still be reliable.
In practice, mileage alone isn’t destiny. A well-documented maintenance history, consistent fluid changes, and evidence of proactive care can mean a high-mileage Subaru remains dependable long after the odometer passes 150,000 miles.
Engine and drivetrain considerations
Different Subaru engine families age differently, and that shapes what “high mileage” means for a given model.
- EJ-series (older 2.5L engines common before mid-2010s):
- Head gasket reliability has historically been a concern on many EJ 2.5L engines, especially around 100,000–200,000 miles if cooling or coolant management isn’t ideal.
- Timing belt vs. timing chain: many older EJ engines use a timing belt that requires replacement around the 100,000-mile mark, along with related components like the water pump.
- Modern FA/FB engines (2.0L, 2.5L) introduced in later years use timing chains, which removes belt-replacement risk but still require regular maintenance like oil changes and cooling-system service.
- CVT transmissions, common in many Subarus from the late 2000s onward, can be a source of higher maintenance costs if neglected; proper fluid changes and early attention to slipping or shuddering help longevity.
Overall, newer engine families tend to offer longer intervals between certain repairs, but no engine is maintenance-free. The key is a documented service history and timely repairs when issues arise.
What to check when evaluating a high-mileage Subaru
If you’re assessing a Subaru with substantial miles, use the following checklist to gauge remaining reliability and potential future costs.
- Review maintenance records for regular oil changes, coolant flushes, transmission service (including CVT fluid if applicable), and timing belt/chain service.
- Inspect for blue or sweet-smelling exhaust, milky oil, or coolant leaks that could signal head gasket or cooling-system issues.
- Perform a compression test to verify engine health, especially in older EJ engines known for head-gasket risk.
- Take a long test drive to evaluate transmission behavior, including any CVT shudder, jerking, or slipping, and listen for unusual noises.
- Check rust on the underbody, frame rails, and wheel wells, particularly in regions with road salt or winter conditions.
- Inspect suspension components, ball joints, wheel bearings, and brake hardware for wear; these parts often show up as mileage accumulates.
- Ask about oil consumption history and look for patterns of excessive oil use, which can be a red flag on some engines.
- Verify recall and service campaign status; ensure any open campaigns have been completed by a dealer.
Following this checklist helps distinguish a high-mileage Subaru that’s been cared for from one that has been neglected, which is crucial for budgeting future maintenance and reliability expectations.
Summary
For Subarus, “high mileage” typically starts around 150,000 miles, with many owners reporting solid reliability well past 200,000 miles when regular maintenance is kept up. The engine family, transmission type, climate, and most importantly, the service history determine how well a high-mileage Subaru will perform going forward. prospective buyers should prioritize documented maintenance, inspect for known wear items, and consider a professional inspection to assess remaining life. With careful upkeep, a high-mileage Subaru can continue to serve reliably for many miles to come.
