I can count on two fingers the number of vehicles I have owned with under 100,000 miles on them. One was a 2004 Oldsmobile Alero, and the other a 2011 Dodge Durango. On the other hand, it would take my hands and feet (and more) to count the vehicles I have owned with well over that number (including pickup trucks).

So, with pickup trucks specifically, would I recommend only purchasing a truck with under 100,000 miles, or is it not that big of a deal to get a high-mileage truck. We’re talking about that and more in today’s article!

1. What about the drivetrain (engine/transmission/etc.)?

Most people’s major concerns about pickup trucks with over 100,000 miles are the engine and transmission. The fair assumption is that these are the most expensive parts to replace and are also the components that are used the most over the years and miles.

Ultimately, though, pickup trucks are going to be overbuilt when it comes to their drivetrain. These engines and transmissions are built to be put under a load for extended periods, specifically when towing. Considering most pickup trucks are used as soccer rigs and for the night out on the town, these trucks are generally underutilized, leaving the engine and transmission still of good quality after years of usage.

Now that there are some engines on specific trucks that I don’t recommend, they can fail no matter what mileage. For example, Ford’s 5.4 Liter found in the F-150 should be avoided at all costs, especially when over 100K.

2. Body and exterior

At the 100,000-mile point of a pickup truck, the outside of the pickup truck should only see mild wear and tear. Most owners of a new pickup truck tend to take better care of their truck’s exterior than any owner afterward. With most first owners selling their cars right before the 100K mark, it means these trucks still have plenty of life left in them when it comes to the exterior.

That said, always check for body panels that are not aligned correctly, have a different shade of paint, or have more or less orange peel (texture to the paint surface), as these are telling signs that this truck has been in an accident.

3. Interior components

Once you roll over 100,000 miles, the interior starts to show its age. After that many miles, you’ll begin to see where in the left side of the driver’s seat (due to getting in and out of the vehicle), and the paint on the buttons will start to wear.

Before purchasing a truck of this age, make sure to do a complete visual inspection to ensure it is within your comfort level.

4. And the safety of a truck over 100,000 miles?

Pickups with over 100,000 miles are five to ten years old, meaning you might miss out on some safety features that newer pickup trucks have. That doesn’t mean, though, that the car isn’t safe. Do your homework to ensure that the truck you are buying DOES have what you want.

Things like lane departure, lane assist, and more are some features that might be missing in a truck at this mileage.

How many miles can pickups go before having too many issues?

You don’t see too many issues with a pickup truck until you get close to the 200,000-mile range. That is when you start to see some reliability concerns with your engine, transmission, and even regular wear and tear to the interior, exterior, and suspension systems.