Does High Mileage matter on a used car?
Does Mileage Matter When Buying a Used Car?
There’s an ongoing debate in the world of car owners around the discussion of low-mileage and its importance. Some believe if a used vehicle has high mileage, there’s no point in purchasing it. Whereas others believe it’s the current state of the vehicle that matters most. Today’s post is here to provide you with the truth.
Several concerns come with purchasing a used vehicle, including the condition it’s in as well as how many kilometers it has on it. The truth is, it’s the mileage that determines what a used vehicle will sell for. This is because most drivers believe that if a vehicle has 30,000 kilometers on it, they can still drive it for another 70 – 90,0000 kilometers before it requires any major mechanic work.
Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. There’s a lot more to it and we’re here to explain the ins and outs of mileage.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this post:
- What is good mileage for a used car?
- How many kilometers is too many for a used car?
- The pros of purchasing a low mileage used car.
- The cons of purchasing a low mileage used car.
- Vehicles makes that can reliably run even after 30,000 kilometers.
What is good mileage for a used car?
The rule of thumb is that the average Canadian driver will put on 20,000 kilometers per year on a vehicle. This is a pretty standard number and what most manufacturers use to determine a vehicle’s warranty. There’s about 10,000 kilometers of breathing room here, which you can consider when you see the overall condition of the vehicle.
Chances are, most used vehicles will be more than a few years old, meaning you’ll have to do the math to determine whether the mileage year per year adds up. For example, a vehicle manufactured in 2010 with 100,000 kilometers on it in 2015 is considered good mileage.
How many kilometers is too many for a used car?
The answer here is dependant on how the vehicle was driven. If a vehicle manufactured in 2010 only has 60,000 kilometers on it but was never cared for or regularly maintained by the owner, you should avoid purchasing it. On the other hand, if that vehicle instead had 250,000 kilometers on it but is in great condition, it might be worth bringing it to a mechanic and considering the purchase.
Remember to always ask the owner if the vehicle’s mileage is primarily highway or city. If the vehicle has spent more of its driving life on the highway, its mechanics will most likely be in better condition. If it was a city vehicle, the brakes and other mechanic parts may be more worn out. Bring it to your mechanic before making an offer.
The pros of purchasing a low mileage used car.
- Low mileage used cars are usually in better condition, meaning they’ll require less maintenance in the long run.
- Most low mileage used vehicles have a higher resale value. Down the line, you’ll be able to sell it and purchase another vehicle without losing your investment.
- Low mileage used vehicles depreciate less than new vehicles, so over your lifetime, you could save upward of $150,000.
The cons of purchasing a low mileage used car.
- Low mileage used cars can be expensive and you may not make your investment back.
- Often, most low mileage vehicles are also older models. If a vehicle is more than 10 years old and has low mileage, you should be suspicious. Vehicles that sit around for extended periods of time usually suffer from mechanic failures, like corroded wires and stiff parts.
- For older used vehicles with low mileage, the warranty may be close to expiring.
Vehicles makes that can reliably run even after 30,000 kilometers
Based on our research from Kelly Blue Book and the Canadian Black Book, the following brands are most recommended to purchase as used vehicles:
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At Birchwood Credit Solutions, we carry an extensive inventory of new and used cars, trucks, SUVs and vans in a variety of makes and models. Our most popular brands include Kia, Toyota, Honda and Ford.
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- Is It Worth Buying Extended Warranty on a New or Used Car?
- Buying a Car From a Dealer vs. a Private Seller
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Does Mileage Matter on Used Cars?
Experts in Japanese used cars have been debating over the importance of mileage on second-hand vehicles. Some of them believe that what really matters is the current condition of the car. On the other hand, others think that a car with high mileage is not worth purchasing at all. If you are planning to buy a vehicle from a Japanese car auction , you must know the arguments coming from both sides. In this post, we are going to discuss the factors you should consider when looking at the mileage of a car.
High-Mileage Vehicles are not as Bad as You Think
It is common to find cars with high mileage at more affordable prices. Do not ignore them right away. When reviewing high-mileage cars, you should learn some details about the previous owner. Even if a vehicle has over 200,000 miles on the engine, if it has been in possession of a single owner, it is still worth considering. Generally, those qualities reflect extensive care and maintenance during the life of the car. If the owner held onto the vehicle for so long, it means that they were satisfied with the car.
Lower Mileage Means Less Wear and Tear
Before we proceed, we’d like to point out that low-mileage Japanese used cars can also turn out as a total beater. So, it is crucial that you read the vehicle history report to know if the unit has been cared for properly. All things considered, lower miles generally mean longer life from most parts of the vehicle. That said, you can expect to keep the ownership costs down.
Also, you must consider that a lot of cars have transmissions that start to malfunction at around a certain mileage. For instance, some cars start to get oil leaks once they hit six figures. So, the low-mileage vehicles from a Japanese car auction generally have good transmissions.
Low-Mileage Vehicles May Not Have Had the Exercise They Need
Even if the car has a low mileage, you should still consider how old it is. Older low-mileage vehicles may not have had the exercise they needed. Keep in mind that when the plastic and rubber components of a car are not used regularly, they will get brittle. Moreover, the parts of the drivetrain need a consistent flow of hot fluids. So, the low miles may look seductive to you, but they can foreshadow costly repairs and reconditioning.
That said, you should cross-shop an older low-mileage vehicle with a higher-mileage unit, especially one that is relatively new. As we’ve mentioned, if the car has gone through religious maintenance, it is still a better long-term bet despite having a high mileage.
Planning to Resell?
If you plan to sell the vehicle at some point, you must consider the resale value of the used car you’re about to buy. In this case, choosing a low-mileage vehicle is the best option. No matter how properly maintained a high-mileage car is, a unit with lower miles on the engine still tends to be more attractive to buyers. When you purchase a vehicle with very low miles, it will still end up with low mileage a few years down the road. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to sell it close to or even higher than the price you paid.
Your Best Bet: Buy a Used Car from Carused.jp
Here at Carused.jp, all the Japanese used cars we offer come with comprehensive vehicle history reports. That said, when you look at our online catalog, you will be able to examine the condition of the car, allowing you to get the best value for your money.
When you want to import used Japanese cars to your country, contact Carused.jp today!