What to Expect When Buying a High-Mileage Car

Twenty years ago, the idea of buying a car with over 100,000kms would have been considered a bad idea. Reliability was more questionable then, and many vehicle odometers didn’t even reach six figures, never mind driving beyond that milestone. Today, however, most cars are engineered to drive well past 100,000 miles, which means buying a high-mileage car can lead to a great deal.

Look for Productive Miles

A big number on the odometer isn’t necessarily a warning sign. Driving heats up a car’s engine, which helps burn off carbon buildup. It also lubricates the engine as oil flows through it.

But not all miles are created equal. Highway driving is much gentler on your vehicle than short, stop-and-start trips around town. Because of this, a newer car with high mileage may be in better shape and last longer than an older car with very low mileage. Low mileage on an old car means less consistent lubrication and fewer opportunities for burning off carbon build-up, and some car parts (especially those made of rubber) deteriorate with time, regardless of miles.

Know the Risks

Unfortunately, you might not know how a car you’re interested in buying was driven. If previous owners floored the gas, slammed on the brakes, and screeched through corners for 100,000 miles, chances are the vehicle has a lot less life left in it than one that was driven cautiously at the speed limit for the same 100,000 miles.

While high-mileage engines get nicely lubricated and may be in better condition than lower-mileage older engines, there are other parts of the car that break down due to age, not mileage. Wear and tear on things like suspensions, brakes, belts, hoses, and electrical systems will be worse on higher-mileage cars, and can lead to necessary repairs.

Conveniently, some major repairs can be predicted. For example, an automaker may make a car with a transmission that typically needs to be replaced at 120,000 miles. If you’re considering a high-mileage vehicle and want to know if you should expect any significant repairs in the near future, you can ask your questions in the CarGurus Questions forum.

Watch for Red Flags

Identifying every potential pitfall when it comes to buying a used car is difficult because there are so many unknowns, but you can avoid some risks if you look for clues while you shop. The first research step should be investing in a vehicle history report. This will provide you with the vehicle’s detailed history, including a list of previously reported accidents. If the vehicle has been in a moderate-to-serious accident or has a salvage title, you should probably keep looking for one that doesn’t have these red flags—cars with this kind of damage in their history are almost always more trouble than they’re worth. The vehicle history report will also tell you where the car has lived. If it’s from New England, Chicago, Minneapolis, or anywhere else with harsh winter conditions, those snowy, salty roads took an extra toll; you should probably cross that car off your list.

Don’t limit your research to the vehicle—do some homework on the seller, as well. If you’re buying from a used-car dealership, check online to see if it has received any bad reviews, especially when it comes to selling high-mileage cars.

Inspect Before Purchasing

It’s always a good idea to have a professional mechanic inspect a used vehicle before you buy it, but there are some things you can check out before taking it to a shop. Check the undercarriage for rust. Check the tires for signs of uneven wear, which could indicate problems with the suspension or chassis. Make sure the doors, trunk, and hood align properly when closed. Check under the hood to make sure the engine compartment is clean, free from rust, and full of clean fluids. Use a refrigerator magnet to make sure all of the body panels are actually metal and haven’t been re-built entirely of a fiberglass filler substance, like Bondo.

If you don’t spot any red flags while giving the car the once-over, it’s time for a test drive. Losing focus during that drive can be easy—you’re getting used to how the car feels, you might be on unfamiliar roads, or you could be distracted by a car salesperson riding shotgun—but you should still be looking for possible issues while driving. Listen for any concerning rattles, squeals, or squeaks, and be sure to ask your mechanic to investigate them when you get your pre-purchase inspection.

Know the Maintenance Schedule

Most manufacturers use a 30-60-90,000-mile schedule when it comes to major maintenance services, so a high-mileage vehicle may be due for one. The 90,000-mile services tend to be the most expensive, but they are also highly recommended if you want to keep the vehicle driving well beyond 100,000 miles. So, before you buy, check the vehicle’s maintenance record and see if it’s due for a major service. If it is, get a quote for the work from your mechanic, and factor that into the vehicle’s cost.

Factoring all potential services and repairs into the true cost of ownership makes sense with a high-mileage vehicle. The manufacturer’s warranty will likely be expired, so you’ll have to pay for everything out of pocket, unless you buy an extended warranty.

Expect Better Resale Value

As you’ll find when shopping for a high-mileage car, there’s rarely much price difference between a vehicle with 90,000 miles and one with 120,000 miles. You could hypothetically sell your high-mileage vehicle for about the same price you paid for it, enjoying a very inexpensive 20,000-30,000 miles between the date you bought it and the date you sold it.

Since you probably won’t have to pay much for a high-mileage vehicle in the first place, you won’t have to sell it for much to make most of your money back.

The Bottom Line

Don’t let a six-figure mileage reading scare you. If it’s been driven the right way, regularly maintained, and kept out of harsh weather and accidents, a car with 100,000 miles could give you another 100,000 miles at a bargain price.

Start shopping now.