Is 49 kilometers on a new car normal?
4 Answers
49 kilometers on a new car is normal. Before leaving the factory, manufacturers typically drive the car a certain distance on specialized testing tracks within the factory premises—sometimes a few kilometers, sometimes several dozen kilometers. This is mainly to inspect the overall assembly of the vehicle. If any issues are found, the car will be readjusted until it meets the required standards. This process is also known as factory inspection. Visually inspect the car's paint surface: Check for any scratches or wear on the paint. Observe under ample sunlight to see if there is any color difference. Open the doors and adjust them to different angles to allow light to shine from various directions, ensuring the sheet metal is smooth. Check the vehicle's identification plate: The car's identification plate is located on the driver's side door or in the engine compartment. Pay attention to the manufacturing date of the vehicle; generally, if it exceeds six months, it can be considered a stock car. Inspect each piece of glass: Also, check the production date of each tire to ensure none have been replaced after the car left the factory. Look for the presence of tire hairs and any obvious signs of wear.
A new car with 49 kilometers is usually normal. From my own car purchasing experience, there will be short-distance tests after the car leaves the factory, such as checking the engine and chassis. Sometimes, factory personnel drive it a short distance within the factory area. Additionally, during transportation from the port to the 4S store, the car may be moved using a flatbed truck, and occasionally short-distance driving is used to reposition the vehicle. Therefore, 0-50 kilometers is considered a standard range in the industry. I recommend checking the vehicle maintenance manual or factory records to confirm there are no other abnormalities like scratches or signs of modification. The warranty for a new car also covers from zero kilometers, so there's no need to worry about short-term mileage affecting performance. Just follow regular maintenance, and during the break-in period of the new car, drive gently for one to two thousand kilometers to extend its service life.
As a frequent car buyer, I initially had some doubts when seeing the 49 kilometers on a new car, worrying if it had been used as a test drive vehicle or involved in an accident. However, after communicating with the dealer, I learned that some movement is inevitable from production to delivery, such as minor activities like cleaning and adjustment tests at the 4S store, which are within acceptable limits. I recommend asking the salesperson for the transport report and inspection sheet before taking delivery to confirm that the mileage is a normal accumulation before the car leaves the factory. If all documents are clear, then proceed with confidence; if there are doubts, comparing more stores is a safer approach. For the first thousand kilometers of a new car, I prefer to drive slowly to allow the engine and transmission to adapt, which is beneficial for the overall health of the vehicle.
I've bought new cars several times, and the mileage was always around 20-30 kilometers. 49 kilometers is absolutely not unusual. The factory testing alone requires some driving, then there's loading and unloading from transport trucks, and the dealership moving the car around adds a bit more – altogether, a dozen or so kilometers is perfectly normal. Don't get too hung up on this small number. What matters is that the car's exterior is clean, the interior is brand new without any wear, and the keys are untouched. Any issues within the warranty period can be taken back to the dealer, so just drive it without worry.
