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High Mileage Cars Vehicles
- Should I Buy One?
Does driving a Jaguar XK8 Coupe fit your self-image but not your
budget? Drive your dream by buying a high mileage car. These days cars
are designed and built to last past 200,000 miles, so don't necessarily be put
off by substantial mileage. With careful choice your 100,000 plus miler
( 160935 km
) will afford you quality driving at a budget price.
The magic number at which a car turns into a high-miler is 100,000. Most buyers
go for low mileage cars and many
franchised dealerships have only luke-warm interest in cars that have
done over 100,000 miles. Aside from the obvious financial savings on a
cut-price high-miler the other benefits are tempting.
The magic number at which a car turns into a high-miler is
100,000. Most buyers go for low mileage cars and many
franchised dealerships have only luke-warm interest in cars that have
done over 100,000 miles. Aside from the obvious financial savings on a
cut-price high-miler the other benefits are tempting.
Many high mileage cars that are less than about five years old may be
more sound than their low mileage counterparts as it is likely they have been
used for motorway driving rather than stop-start city runs. However, you do
need to check that the high-miler has not been used as a taxi (give away signs
include drill holes in the dashboard). A 100k miler depreciates less in value
than a car of the same age with only average mileage. When the time comes to
sell you will have lost less in
car vehicle depreciation.
It also makes sense to buy a high mileage car if you do low mileage. The
age/mileage gap will have decreased by the time you are ready to sell and
you'll get a relatively better price for your car (see
used car trade-in for mileage ).
Check that the high mileage vehicle is being sold with either an
Inclusion or an Exclusion Warranty.
Major servicing and cambelt changes can often be due at around the 40-80k mark,
though this will vary between individual makes and models. A car with 100k on
the clock will most likely have had upkeep like this already done (supporting
service paperwork needs to be checked).
As a general rule prestige makes tolerate the mileage better. The more
expensive the car from new, the better the build quality should be and the
higher the mileage it will tend to run to. Bigger engine sizes are also a safer
bet, so 1.0 litre models are out.
The condition of the car is all important (see
Used Car Buying Guide). The service record is the key. Look for a
correctly stamped service schedule at the prescribed intervals. Avoid anything
with poor bodywork and kerbed wheels. This could indicate a car that has not
been properly maintained. If the car has quality matching tyres the odds are
the owner will not have skimped on maintenance.
The electronics on high mileage cars can be susceptible to problems so check
these are all functioning. The best high miler to get is an ex-fleet
car. These will have been well maintained and serviced.
Car auctions are a good place to search for cheap high mileage cars
or try a dealer who makes it their speciality.