What are the impacts of high mileage on a car?
3 Answers
High mileage on a car has the following impacts: 1. The service life of the car becomes shorter: Increased mileage means the car is used more frequently. As the usage frequency rises, various internal components of the car will experience certain wear and tear, leading to a shorter lifespan for the vehicle, although it does not affect the normal functionality of the car. 2. The value of the car decreases: More mileage indicates greater consumption of the car. Since cars are inherently consumable items, their depreciation rate increases with usage years. Cars with higher mileage have even lower depreciation rates, resulting in a further decline in value.
My previous car had quite a few problems after running over 200,000 kilometers. The engine noise became increasingly loud, sounding like metal knocking, and fuel consumption kept rising, costing significantly more for the same distance. The transmission occasionally slipped, especially struggling when climbing hills, and I had to repair it several times at considerable expense. The suspension system also became loose, causing severe bumps when going over speed bumps, and the interior was aged with strange noises. The most annoying part was the constant minor issues, like delayed starts and lighting system failures, requiring a budget of around a thousand yuan for each visit to the repair shop. However, regular maintenance could alleviate some problems. I made it a habit to change the oil and check the belts and brakes every 5,000 kilometers, which helped extend its lifespan by a few more years. Otherwise, I would have had to consider replacing it, as the resale value dropped drastically—originally worth tens of thousands, it ended up being sold for just a few thousand.
With high mileage, I'm particularly concerned about safety. Those worn-out old components could lead to major issues, such as slower brake response, making it hard to stop in emergencies, and aged tires being prone to blowouts, which is especially dangerous on highways. If the engine coolant lines leak, overheating and frequent failures increase the risk of accidents. The battery also has a shorter lifespan, making winter starts difficult. I recommend thoroughly checking these critical points during every maintenance visit—don't skimp on the cost, and don't wait until you're stranded on the road. Also, pay attention to driving habits: accelerate smoothly without stomping on the gas, and reduce sudden braking to protect the chassis and drivetrain. In the long run, high-mileage cars lose reliability, repair costs skyrocket, and insurance premiums may rise. It's best to regularly assess whether it's still worth keeping the car.
