Having a car is part of America’s basic needs. They depend on their autos to do their daily routines as this is their primary means of transportation. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Americans drive an average of 13,500 miles annually. What if a used car exceeds the average miles? Is it wise to buy a car with high mileage? And what is considered high mileage for a used car? These are a few of the common questions a first-time buyer or not may have, and we are ecstatic to provide the answers that can help you buy a pre-owned yet reliable vehicle.

Buying a High-Mile Vehicle.

Did you know that the world record for the highest car mileage is 3,000,000? This is made possible by Irv Gordon, who travels over 100,000 miles per year visiting different car shows in his 1966 Volvo 1800S. Mileage is the accumulated number of miles traveled by a vehicle over a period of time. The average mileage per year is around 12,000- 15,000. Higher than that, the car is considered to have high mileage. Most people think that having a good mile is more reliable than a car with high mileage. But we really cannot measure the car’s performance through its odometer reading as some high-mileage cars last longer because they were well maintained and cared for by their owners.

According to usedcars.com, among the best high mileage used cars are 2013 Toyota Camry, 2013 Honda Accord, and the 2012 Lexus ES 350. A high odometer reading is not a reflection of the car's entire condition, but it can be an important factor in buying used cars. The miles will determine how it was used by the previous owner, but it should not be your basis in deciding whether or not to buy a particular car. Let us know more about what factors we should consider when buying a high-mile vehicle.

Do a Background Check.

If possible, you may ask the owner a little history of the vehicle. Ask how it was used. Did they use it for work, for driving the kids to school, for Lyft or Uber services, or for traveling across the country? It will give you a better picture of how the mileage increased over time, under the care of the previous owner. Also, know where the vehicle is from, is it from a remote location where there are rough roads or harsh winter conditions that may have affected the car’s reliability? High mile cars that are driven on highways have a much reliable engine than vehicles navigated on start-and-stop short trips. A long drive heats-up the engine, which in turn is good as it burns off the carbon build-up. It also helps lubricate the engine as oil circulates through all its parts. This makes the high mile new cars reliable and may last longer than old ones with a low mile. You might want to consider these details before buying a vehicle.

Vehicle History Report.

As opposed to what many believe, a high odometer reading does not measure the car’s reliability. You should look and invest in the vehicle’s history report. The report will show how many times the car had regular maintenance checks or repairs, or if it got involved in accidents. You can get a Vehicle History Report from Carfax or Autocheck. It would be a good move to select a car that is well taken care of, no matter what the mileage is, rather than choosing a low mile car that was not given the proper attention.

Know the Car’s Condition.

High mileage cars may be priced for an inexpensive value when selling them in the market. Besides that, it may also require more repairs to maintain its good driving condition. In the old days, 100,000 miles was already considered a vehicle’s life expectancy. But in this day and age, newer car models can last up to 200,000 miles or much longer. Brand new high mileage vehicles can still run in good performance compared to old cars with low mileage. That is because a car’s odometer reading is just an indicator of its condition. It still depends on how well the car was maintained and taken care of.

Inspect and Drive

To help you decide whether to buy the high-mileage car you are interested in, you should have it, inspected and test drive. You have to know how it feels to drive the said vehicle. Listen for unusual noises, rattles, and squeaks. If you need a bit of professional advice, you can have a mechanic to inspect the car for you.

Regular Maintenance Checks.

The secret of having a reliable car that will last long is maintenance. You have to know when to schedule a maintenance check for the vehicle. Most car-makers follow the 30-60-90,000-mile maintenance rule. You should be updated about the vehicle’s maintenance records or check the manual for the proposed maintenance schedule. This way, you will be on track on when to send your car to a mechanic. You will also need to prepare for the cost and consult your mechanic for inquiries.

Conclusion

Do not hesitate to buy a vehicle that has 100,000 miles or more. It still depends on the car’s overall condition. If it was maintained regularly and was given the proper care, then everything should be good. You can hit the jackpot of getting a nice car, which may also give you more miles for the best affordable price. For our other related blogs, you should check out, How Many Miles Is Too Much for a Used Car?

Selling A Car?

We at “Sell My Car In Chicago with Enrique for Cash” buy used cars, and our process is so simple. We thought of the most convenient way to sell your vehicle. All you need is to follow the steps below:

1. Get Quote. Call us at (224) 236-7010 or contact us online for a free quote, then give us more information about your vehicle. We will then reach out to you with a good offer. If you accept it, we will schedule the car for an inspection.

2. Get Paid. You do not need to bring your car to us, as we will come to you. After the vehicle is inspected and all the details you have given are verified, we will then pay you by cash.

3. Get Towed. We will take the vehicle from your location.