High Mileage On A Used Car Can Actually Be A Good Thing

Everyone has different standards when shopping for a car, especially one from the secondhand market, which is awash with cutcost Toyota Corollas and Tesla Model 3s. It pays to do your due diligence when inspecting any potential used vehicle purchase, but some criteria may also be required to narrow down which examples you want to focus on before making the important decision of handing over your money. These range from what optional equipment is featured, to the color, model year, how reliable it is, and, crucially, the indicated mileage.

The general impression is that your money is best spent pursuing those with the lowest possible, or fairly low, indicated mileage on the odometer, but is it bad to get a car with high mileage? We discuss this in further detail and, depending on what type of vehicle you are targeting, buying a car with high mileage may be something you are more open to exploring.

Definition: What Is ‘High Mileage’ On A Used Car?

Everyone has their different opinions on what is considered ‘high mileage’ on any given vehicle, but the consensus in the secondhand market, especially from a buyers’ or mechanics’ viewpoint, is that high mileage typically starts anywhere from 100,000 miles and above; though some may also judge high mileage to start lower, between 80,000–90,000 miles. In extreme cases, (very) high mileage can begin when the odometer shows 150,000–200,000 miles and beyond.

Mileage, whether indicated or reported by the seller/s, plays a significant role in how much a used car is worth on the market, especially when attempting to sell it to potential buyers. Alongside factors like factory specification, body/upholstery color, original market (gray import versus locally delivered), and general condition (aesthetically and mechanically), mileage helps establish how used the vehicle has been over the years before it has entered the market.

In summary, cars that have low reported mileage are worth more, under the impression that they have experienced less wear and are still close to their original factory state. By contrast, those reporting high mileage are judged (on initial impressions) to have been used heavily and may not be worth as much as an equivalent, ‘mint-condition’ example. This can especially apply to high-end exotic cars, like a Ferrari 458 Italia, as buyers typically enter the market looking to acquire a car that is still relatively in good shape and can hold its value when the time comes for them to sell in the future.

Pros Of Buying A High-Mileage Car

Is A Lot Of Miles On A Car Really Such A Bad Thing?

Credit: Porsche

There are some positives that come with exploring the possibility of buying a car with high mileage, especially if a certain vehicle from a specific era or time period (production, model year/s) is taking center stage.

• Higher likelihood of being maintained up-to-date: most manufacturers stipulate scheduled maintenance intervals, especially after 100,000 miles. Provided the car’s service records confirm that upkeep has been performed (especially on important items like timing belts, transmission components, and brakes/tires), buying a car with high mileage usually translates to buying a car that has been maintained up-to-date, meaning future owners could be spared some expensive maintenance bills.
• Instills confidence in its long-term, mechanical (working) condition: high mileage is typically an indicator that the car has been driven and used, which, from a buyer’s perspective, should add peace of mind (when combined with a comprehensive service history) that the car is in peak health and can drive normally without any major problems.
• Indicates regular use of the vehicle: no matter what value or type of car, from a daily driver to high-end sports coupe, it’s important to remember that these are still machines that need to be driven and used as they were originally intended and built to do. Consequently, any number of their mechanical components, from engine to suspension and brake parts, can degrade if the vehicle is left sitting unused for extended periods. This can also affect any internal fluids and, depending on outside factors (temperature, etc.), may cause them to become contaminated or become dirty over time.
• Appropriate for certain models (especially renowned classic cars): on certain classic models, such as 80s/90s (Sacco-era) Mercedes-Benzes, classic Volvos, or models built by Japanese brands (Toyota/Lexus), high mileage is deemed fitting for the car’s character, especially as a working example of how attentive engineers were towards these ‘Youngtimers’ (modern classics) compared to modern cars. High mileage can also add a degree of provenance to applicable cars that have gained recognition by the manufacturers themselves or online stardom.
• Relatively more affordable to purchase: higher mileage tends to reflect a more ‘affordable’ price point for most cars, both regular models and some that hold collectible value. This can work to a buyer’s advantage if they are not fully obsessed with getting their maximum resale value back when the time inevitably comes to sell the car (under their ownership).

Sources: Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Classic Auto Insurance, The Vault Classic Cars, Porsche, Skoda

Read the full article on CarBuzz

This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.