Is It Worth Buying a Car with 200,000 Miles on It?

You have decided to buy a car, but spending your hard-earned money can be challenging in and of itself. Adding the anxiety of perhaps purchasing a car that falls short of your expectations can make the process seem downright daunting. It’s when you come across a car with 200,000 miles that you will surely have a doubt: ‘Is 200,000 miles on a car bad? ‘ If you are someone who is going through a similar situation, then this article is for you.

What Counts as a High Mileage?

A vehicle’s age, manufacture, and model all play a role in determining whether or not it has ‘high mileage.’ Although there is no specific number of miles that is considered to be too much for a used car, it is usually recommended that the average number of miles a car reaches a year should be between 10,000 miles and 12,000. This means that a 10-year-old car should not cross over 100,000 to 120,000 miles. If it crosses, you should closely examine its past MOT records.

High mileage, however, isn’t always a bad thing. Cars usually have a life expectancy of about 200,000 miles. So, whether you get there in two or twenty years is not always game over for the car. Modern electric and hybrid vehicles, which have fewer moving parts than traditional models, are expected to have a life expectancy of 300,000 miles.

Is It a Fair Idea to Buy a Car with 200,000 Miles?

Buying a used vehicle with many miles usually means paying less than you would for a brand-new vehicle. However, this advantage can become a problem if you purchase a vehicle that hasn’t been properly maintained.

In reality, improved standards and technology in the auto industry might be reflected in vehicles with high mileage. In addition, because modern automobiles are so dependable, their owners are more comfortable keeping them on the road for extended periods.

Many drivers may see well past the conventional 100,000-mile threshold before considering replacing their vehicles. There are other considerations besides mileage while purchasing a car. The odometer isn’t the sole indicator of whether or not a car is a good fit for your needs and preferences. 

Although it may have been well maintained, the purchase of a vehicle with over 200,000 miles on the odometer might lead to significant maintenance costs. At this point, the car is likely nearing the end of its useful life, and you may soon need to either invest a significant sum in repairs or replace it entirely. 

What Steps Should You Take before Buying a High-Mileage Car?

If you’ve already decided to purchase a car with 200,000 miles on it, it’s wise to be aware of the necessary precautionary measures before buying it.

What are the preventive measures?

• Before buying a used car, look into its past MOT records. 
• Perform a pre-purchase inspection to verify if the car is in good running condition despite its age and mileage. 
• You should get the vehicle’s history report in addition to the MOT exam. The vehicle’s history, including a record of any accidents it may have been in, may be accessed this way. 

How to Choose a Pre-Owned Car

Legend says that once a car reaches 100,000 miles on the clock, it’s seen better days and should be retired. However, despite their complexity, several technological advances have made modern automobiles even more trustworthy. By providing regular maintenance, most modern automobiles may travel over 200,000 miles without significant wear and tear. Assuming a yearly mileage of 10,000 miles per vehicle would be sufficient for about 15 years of operation. If you are a prospective buyer, you can choose a certified pre-owned car less than five years old with no more than 50,000 miles on the odometer.

Various Factors to Be Considered Before Your Purchase

Timing Belt and Chain

It’s impossible to predict when a timing belt will snap. And if it does, it could seriously harm your engine. Preventatively, mechanics advise changing the belt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. If you intend to keep the car for a while, it’s probably a good idea to replace the belt yourself or search for a recently serviced model.

Although the timing chain functions similarly to a timing belt, it often lasts twice as long. The expense of replacing the chain may exceed the car’s value; hence, some motorists choose not to.

Maintenance Cycles

Cars are in a perpetual state of deterioration, and that’s just how it is. Drivers may renew the cycle and keep their vehicles on the road by performing routine maintenance and replacing worn parts. Engines are designed to survive hundreds of thousands of miles, so as long as the rest of the car is in good shape, the mileage shouldn’t be too much of a factor. 

Automatic transmission

Most people who experience problems with their automatic transmissions must replace them, which can cost several thousand dollars. Transmission failure becomes more frequent once a vehicle reaches above 100,000 miles. Transmissions can be made to last longer with routine maintenance, but even so, they should not be attempted to be repaired on your own unless you’re a trained mechanic. 

Brake pads

It is recommended to replace the brake pads every 30,000 to 70,000 miles, but the discs can go up to 120,000 miles before needing to be replaced. It’s important to invest in regular maintenance because brake pads are cheap yet wear out quickly if neglected. 

When you engage the brake pedal, unexpected signs of worn brakes, such as uneven and sticky braking or scraping sounds, might arise. Therefore, it’s important to inspect the service record and present condition of the brake rotors when evaluating a used automobile, as they are often replaced at the same time as the brake pads. 

Tires

Driving style, weather, road conditions, tire make/model, and vehicle make/model all contribute to tire wear. A tire’s treadwear grade and guarantee estimate how many miles it should last under normal conditions; however, how you drive can also affect this estimate.  

Battery

Regardless of the number of miles, the average battery life is roughly four years. Hence, make sure that the battery life is not exceeded. 

Water pump

The water pump can go bad anywhere from 60,000 to 90,000. When it deteriorates, coolant leaks might cause your engine to overheat. Auto mechanics often change the water pump and timing belt simultaneously. 

Oil changes

Oil changes should be performed regularly. However, once a vehicle hits 75,000 miles, the engine often begins to loosen, causing oil leaks and engine shaking. The engine can be “tightened up” by using high-mileage oil.

How to Extend the Life of a High-Mileage Car

To put it simply, if you don’t have the funds to get a new automobile right now, or if you’re completely satisfied with your pre-owned high-mileage car, you’re probably hoping to make it last as long as possible.

Here are some things that you should remember as you move forward:

• Fix any issues that arise right away. 
• Ensure regular maintenance of the vehicle.
• Replace the worn-out parts with high-quality parts.
• Avoid rash driving.
• Have an auto insurance plan in place.

Is 200,000 miles on a car bad?

It depends on how well-maintained the car is. If you buy a car that has covered over 200,000 miles, you might have to invest a significant sum in maintenance costs, as the car is likely nearing the end of its useful life.

What mileage is too high for a used car?

Although no specific number of miles is considered too many for a used car, it is usually recommended that the average number of miles a car reaches in a year be between 10,000 and 12,000. If it crosses this number, you should closely examine its past MOT records.

Is it worth fixing a car with 200k miles?

It depends on the car’s age, manufacture, and model. Most modern gasoline-powered vehicles are found to have a drop in their performance once they have crossed 200k miles, while electric cars usually perform better up to 300k miles. So, before going for a repair, examine your car and check whether it is worth the money to repair it.