How New is a Car with 30,000 Kilometers?
4 Answers
A car with 30,000 kilometers is considered 30% new. Here is relevant information about purchasing used cars: Solutions for issues with used cars: According to Chinese used car laws, general used cars do not come with quality guarantees. However, it is required to sign a contract during the transaction, which should clearly describe any existing problems with the used car, such as if the car has been in a major accident or is a repaired vehicle from a significant incident. If the seller conceals the true condition of the vehicle and fails to disclose relevant information in the contract, the buyer can use the contract to resolve issues through market mediation. If the market does not intervene, the buyer can apply for arbitration or seek legal resolution. Commercial insurance can help recover some losses through policy cancellation. Ways to purchase used cars: The best place for a hands-on experience is a used car market. Online used car platforms offer the widest selection of vehicles. Personal sellers usually provide the most favorable prices.
For the mileage of 30,000 kilometers, I think the car's age should be considered first. If it's only been two years with this mileage, frequent highway driving actually keeps the engine in good condition, and the chassis has minimal wear—it can easily be rated as 85% new. However, if it took five years to reach 30,000 km, the rubber components would have aged, and at best, it could be considered 70% new. I remember last time when helping a friend check out a car, there was a three-year-old Tiguan with 30,000 km, complete with full 4S maintenance records and original tires. The dealer initially listed it as 90% new, but we bargained it down to 85% new for the final deal. If you're buying it yourself, it's best to bring an experienced mechanic to inspect the chassis bushings and suspension.
Based on my family's experience running an auto repair shop, you can't just go by the odometer reading at 30,000 km. The key is to check if the engine bay is clean and whether there's mud in the rubber seal gaps - this reveals if the vehicle frequently drove on rough roads. I've handled a city-driven CR-V that looked brand new underneath at 30,000 km, while a worksite-driven H6 had cracked CV boot covers at the same mileage. I recommend checking the oil filler cap for emulsion and feeling how thick the black exhaust pipe residue is. If these areas are clean with over 5mm of original tread remaining, it's at least 80% new. Don't forget to measure the brake disc groove depth!
In the used car market, the standard is usually set at 20,000 kilometers per year. A car with 30,000 kilometers, if within three years, is generally considered to be in B-grade condition. Dealers often advertise it as '90% new,' but in reality, it's around 80%. Pay attention to the number of ownership transfers; even with low mileage, a third-hand car will depreciate. Last week, a Fit was evaluated—the female owner drove it carefully, maintained it entirely at the 4S shop, and there were no scratches on the paint. Such a car can be considered 85% new. However, if it's a retired ride-hailing vehicle, even with the odometer rolled back, it's only about 60% new. When inspecting the car yourself, remember to bring a paint thickness gauge to measure the thickness, and check the factory sealant on door seams and welding points.
