Repairs cluster at predictable mileages. Here is roughly what to expect, so a listing near one of these marks does not surprise you. Luxury and German brands can run 1.5x to 2x these figures.
Usually a light mileage. Mostly wear items.
This is where a neglected car starts to hurt. Bundled, it can run $1,500+.
The most expensive routine window. A car sold right before 100k with no records is the classic "someone else's bill" listing.
Beyond 100k, individual components (alternator, water pump, suspension bushings, sensors) become the story. A car here can still be a great buy if it has been maintained, and a nightmare if it has not. Records matter more than ever.
Transmission, timing belt/water pump, suspension, and , on turbo and luxury cars , the turbo, high-pressure fuel system, and electronics. One of these can equal a third of a cheaper car's value.
If a car has significant work coming, an extended warranty can cap your exposure on the big-ticket failures, and it is worth pricing before you buy, while you still have leverage.