What is the maximum mileage for buying a used car?
2 Answers
Generally, used cars with 60,000 to 100,000 kilometers are acceptable for purchase. Here are the details: 1. 3-5 year old used cars: Typically, 3-5 year old used cars retain their value best and have fewer issues, making them the most worthwhile to buy. The mileage for such cars is usually around 60,000 to 100,000 kilometers. 2. 6-8 year old used cars: 6-8 year old used cars may have some minor problems, such as oil leaks, shaking, or unusual noises, and maintenance costs can be slightly higher. However, if the price-performance ratio is good, they are still worth buying. The mileage for such cars is typically 100,000 to 200,000 kilometers. 3. 8-10 year old used cars: It is not recommended to buy 8-10 year old used cars, mainly because they tend to have more faults, higher maintenance costs, and stricter annual inspection requirements in recent years, making them almost at the edge of being scrapped.
I think the mileage of used cars needs to be analyzed case by case. For regular family cars, driving 10,000 to 20,000 kilometers a year is considered normal, and it's best to keep it under 80,000 kilometers for a 5-year-old car, as mechanical components naturally wear out. For example, Japanese cars might still run well at 150,000 kilometers, while German cars tend to develop oil leaks or burning oil after 100,000 kilometers. The key is to check the maintenance records—if the previous owner changed the engine oil and transmission fluid on time, and replaced tires and brake pads regularly, then even a car with up to 150,000 kilometers can be reliable. However, I’d advise you to think twice about cars with over 200,000 kilometers, no matter how cheap they are, as repair costs could end up being higher than the car’s price. Recently, I helped a friend pick a Corolla with 70,000 kilometers, and after two years of driving, it hasn’t had any issues.
