If you’re in the market for a used car, chances are your search is led by its age rather than mileage. How much should mileage influence your decision?
According to Sumarie Greybe, co-founder of insurance company Naked, the kilometres travelled tell much about a car’s previous life. On average, a car accumulates about 15,000km a year, he says.
Greybe advises dividing the mileage travelled by year model. This will assist in determining whether the car has done a lot of mileage for its age. A three-year-old car with 90,000km has probably endured a lot in its short life but what is considered low, medium or high mileage?
A vehicle’s mileage is considered to be low if it is less than 100,000km. These cars are regarded as new with potential to rack up more kilometres reliably.
Medium mileage are those vehicles with 100,000km to 150,000km. This category can still be in good condition if the cars were serviced and maintained.
High mileage cars have more than 150,000km on the clock, with many of the components nearing the end of their lifespan. A unit with a solid maintenance history and a reputation for longevity could go on longer, though.
Presented with the choice of buying a newer car with higher mileage or an older model with less mileage, the latter car could be a better buy if cared for by the previous owner. A seven-year-old car with 70,000km on the clock might have had one careful owner.