When buying a car, all customers pay attention to the odometer readings. It is one of the main criteria of choice. However, used car experts from the Indianapolis dealership Indy Auto Man assure that, with proper service, even a hundred miles on the odometer is not a problem, but a chance to buy a good car with a very affordable price. So what are the core factors when choosing a vehicle with a long history behind its back?
Brand and Model Make a Difference
The mileage limit depends on the type of car. If comparing different models and brands, the durability patterns are as follows:
- The middle class shows the highest mileage: Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and other brands of the middle segment make cars with a resource of about 250,000 miles with proper care.
- Despite many US motorists doubting whether Hyundais are good cars, this brand, together with KIA, shows approximately the same average mileage until the end of the resource of most units. Moreover, they are affordable for maintenance.
- Cars of premium brands such as BMW, Audi, Land Rover, and other companies from this class usually go 150,000 miles without issues. After this milestone, they may require solid investments.
- Innovative small-displacement turbocharged engines are a real problem these days. They last no more than 100,000 miles and after that, most often, should be replaced because the repairs are highly complicated and costly.
Thus, the impressive indicators on the odometer are a reason not to refuse a purchase but to ask about the service history. The future owner of the car has every right to know the vehicle’s past. The seller, in turn, is obliged to provide comprehensive information: what exactly was repaired, which manufacturer’s parts were installed, at what mileage the diagnostics were carried out, etc. Solid used car dealerships in big cities like Indianapolis even provide vehicle history report for free.
How to Choose a Car after 100,000 Miles?
The selection of the high-mileage car has some nuances. Nitpicking is not the best behavior here because such a vehicle normally has a bunch of minor issues. But a thoughtful inspection is indispensable. It will help save money and prevent disappointment in the future.
The main factors to consider in this case are:
- Real mileage. It is crucial to find out what the exact mileage of this car is. This helps understand whether it is worth buying this vehicle at all.
- Malfunctions to be fixed. You can usually find a set of such factors, which will be a good reason for bargaining and reducing the initial cost of the car.
- Engine and gearbox diagnostics. These are the most costly to repair components. It is also worth checking the steering rack, as this part may lead to considerable expenses.
- Body inspection for corrosion. Cars with such mileage may already have corrosion and damage to the paintwork. This is especially true for SUVs.
An indicator of 100,000 miles is not terrible for most cars. More often, such mileage is just a reason for a more detailed diagnosis and test drive. Two identical models with close odometer readings can have completely different conditions and working resources. Here, the owner’s care, the quality of workshop service, the spare parts used, and the driving conditions are of great importance. As a rule, urban operation strains the vehicle condition much more than driving hundreds of miles on high-speed roads at a steady speed.
If you want to buy a reliable high-mileage auto in Indianapolis, it is crucial to find a seller with a proven reputation, like Indy Auto Man with 4.9 stars based on 3000+ reviews. Look for any guarantees you can get, never skip a test drive and ask anything you want to know about the vehicle and its past.
