Is a Camry with 300,000 kilometers still worth buying?
2 Answers
For a Camry that has traveled 300,000 kilometers, the main considerations are whether the car burns oil, if there are any abnormal noises from the engine or body, and whether it has been well-maintained. If these conditions are met, it can be purchased. Below is an introduction to the used car transfer process: For an individual transferring to a company, the following are required: Vehicle license, registration certificate, body invoice, seller's ID card, seller's photo at the DMV, vehicle inspection with no violations, two copies of the company's organization code certificate with official seal, application form with official seal, and blank paper with official seal. For a company transferring to another company, the following are required: Vehicle registration certificate, valid compulsory insurance, business code certificates and official seals of both parties (copy for the seller, original for the buyer), vehicle license, sales agreement, issuance of a used car transaction invoice, filling out transfer forms at the DMV, and processing at the relevant window. For an individual transferring to another individual, the following are required: Vehicle license, vehicle registration certificate, vehicle purchase tax certificate, road maintenance fee receipt, insurance policy, vehicle and vessel tax certificate, and ID card. Vehicles that cannot be transferred include: Those modified or altered without approval, including changes to cargo weight or passenger capacity; those that have reached the scrapping age (if the vehicle condition is good, it can be transferred after special inspection, but cannot be relocated); vehicles under purchase control without the "License Plate Application Certification Seal"; where the applicant's seal does not match the original registrant's; vehicles with unresolved violations or accidents or those under investigation by authorities; those that have not undergone regular inspection or failed inspection; imported cars still under customs supervision without release; those notified by the court to be frozen or under mortgage.
Last month, I helped a friend inspect an old Camry with 320,000 kilometers on the clock. To be honest, the condition of this car really depends on its actual state. When we lifted the chassis for a full inspection, we found oil seepage from the transmission pan, and all the engine mounts were cracked, making a loud clunking noise over bumps. The used car dealer claimed that this generation’s 2.4L engine is bound to burn oil after 100,000 kilometers, but we didn’t actually see any blue smoke from the exhaust. The most frustrating part was that three out of the four shock absorbers were leaking oil, and replacing them with a set of KYB Yellow shocks plus labor cost 4,000 RMB. Surprisingly, though, the steering wheel had no play, and the car felt tighter to drive than some domestic cars with only 100,000 kilometers. If you’re thinking of taking it on, remember to deliberately go over speed bumps during the test drive—listening for suspension noises is more telling than just checking the odometer.
