Is Buying a High Mileage Car A Good or Bad Idea?

Image: morguefile.comIf you’ve been shopping for a good used car through the Internet, local newspaper ads, or auto buying magazines you have probably seen some very good deals for the models you are interested in only to find out that they were classified as a “high mileage car.”

These types of used cars are more affordable than comparable cars with less mileage, but some people won’t chance buying them because of possible mechanical and reliability problems. But even so, the allure of saving a few thousand dollars is very attractive.

Is buying a car with 100,000 miles or more a good idea or will it give you nothing but headaches over breakdowns and costly repair bills? As we’ll see, the answer is “it depends.”

They Can Take It

Most modern cars are engineered to last well past 100,000 miles if owners keep up with scheduled oil changes and routine maintenance. So in general terms, it may be a good move to buy a high mileage car if you want to save a significant amount of money on the purchase price.

Not All Cars Are Created Equal

Would you buy a low-mileage Chrysler PT Crusier or a Ford Fiesta? If you’re been keeping up with car trends, you already know that these models have very spotty reliability and repair records.

Even if a used car has low mileage, this does not guarantee you a good car. If you are in the market for a 100K plus mile car, you also have to take into consideration the ratings it received from various car and consumer magazines. For instance, the PT Crusier and Ford Fiesta were listed in the 2014 Consumer Reports “Worst Used Cars To Buy” list, so buyer beware.

If a car starts out its life as an unreliable car, when/if it gets to the 100K mile mark, it only gets worse.

Watch Out for Luxury Cars

Luxury cars demand luxury repair and maintenance costs. You may be happily motoring down the road in your used high-end auto, but you’ll have to put up a good deal of money to keep it in shape.

If you are prepared and can afford these expenses, and saving a big chunk of money for a luxury car is what you want, a 100K mile plus luxury car may be a good purchase for you.

The Owner Is a Clue


If the car is dirty, hasn’t been waxed, or the interior is filled with clutter, this may be a sign that the owner isn’t responsible and most likely hasn’t kept up with car maintenance. Also ask if the seller is the original owner of the car. If it has been owned by several people, you won’t be able to track how well it was taken care of by the previous owners.

Source: Yahoo Autos
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