How Many Kilometres is too Many for a Car to Have?

Can a Car Have Too Many Miles on it?

There are certainly a lot of different elements a potential buyer needs to understand when they are shopping for a pre-owned car, truck, or SUV. They need to be on the lookout for red flags, both glaring and subtle. A good way to start your evaluation of a vehicle you’d like to buy is to take a look at the odometer. But, can a car have too many miles on it? To be sure, a vehicle that has been driven a lot certainly raises the odds that there are underlying issues, although the numbers on the dial don’t always tell the full story. Let’s take a closer look at some helpful information.

READ MORE: Advantages of Buying a Pre-Owned Vehicle, How Does Age Affect a Car’s Value?

Why is Mileage Important to Consider?

Mileage (or number of kilometres on the odometer) is, for sure, an important factor, but that metric doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The age of a vehicle is also something to note. For instance, a red flag might be if a vehicle is only a few years old, but is near or over the 160,000 km (100,000 mi.) mark. This could be a scenario that potential buyers should be wary of because it could be a sign of lingering problems. On the other hand, a vehicle that is several years old, but has a low odometer number could be a more positive indication that there is a lot of life left in that vehicle.

Naturally, as more kilometres are put on the vehicle, the more likely major repairs could be required. We recommend that buyers take their time in evaluating a platform that is close to the 320,000 km mark.

Another reason for taking a closer look at the overall health of a high-mileage vehicle has to do with the vehicle’s transmission. Any transmission, manual or automatic, is a complex component. Transmission repairs are almost always going to be on the expensive end of the spectrum. Buying a used vehicle that requires almost any kind of transmission repair could end up costing more than the actual value of the vehicle.

How Important are Vehicle Maintenance Records?

Modern automobiles are safer and more reliable than ever before. A properly maintained vehicle can last for a very long time. If you’re interested in any pre-owned vehicle, you should definitely ask about any available maintenance records. This could include receipts for things like oil changes and other regularly scheduled work including brakes, wheel alignments, and tire rotations. An absence of these kinds of records should be concerning.  

Additionally, don’t overlook any entries on a vehicle’s history report. Accidents, unresolved recalls and other issues could be important to finding the best deal possible.

Make an appointment with an Auto Depot Sudbury, today, and our team will help you find the car, truck, minivan, or SUV that will fit both your needs and your budget.