Buying a high-mileage car? Do these five things first
Audio By Carbonatix
Ok, so buying a new car isn’t for everyone. After all, the average price of a new car for American buyers is dangerously close to that eye-watering $50,000 mark. What’s the alternative? A used car, of course. But you don’t have to avoid that high-mileage car deal for fear of six figures on the odometer. Instead, you can take careful steps to get the right deal without the crippling worry.
You don’t have to steer clear of a screaming deal on a high-mileage car. Just shop smart.
Maybe you’re a college student or a young service member. Perhaps you’re just in a situation where you don’t have a heap of money to commit to car-buying. Don’t live in fear of those high-mileage used car deals. Use these tips to protect yourself as you shop for that perfect high-mileage car.
- Pre-purchase inspection
One of the most common pieces of advice I give to any used car shopper is to slow down and opt for an independent pre-purchase inspection. At a glance, it might seem tedious to take a would-be car purchase to a mechanic for an independent PPI. But a thorough, unbiased inspection can reveal faults with a high-mileage car that could cost you thousands down the road. You can read about my experience of how an out-of-state PPI saved me thousands here.
- Maintenance and title history
Car buyers should get as complete a maintenance history as possible. A complete and comprehensive history can give you an idea of how effectively previous owners maintained the vehicle. Also, with any used car purchase, obtaining a title and vehicle history report can protect you from buying a previously wrecked vehicle.
- Shop around before you commit
One of the other pieces of advice I like to give car buyers is to slow down, take their time, and shop around. Sometimes you find a deal that seems too good to be true. However, more often than not, it’s beneficial to search for the right deal. Don’t feel like you’re committed to buying a car just because you asked for questions, pictures, or the chance to get the vehicle inspected.
- Do an initial service and stay patient
Let’s say you decide to buy, and you negotiate your price to a point you can manage. Great! Now, and especially for high-mileage used cars, you should do an initial service. Check and change your fluids. And if the PPI discovers maintenance needs like tires or brakes, don’t hesitate to make the fixes. Budget for the repairs and consumable parts, especially safety-related parts.
- Stay on top of your maintenance
Finally, take care of your high-mileage car. A 150,000-mile car, depending on model, history, and other factors, has the potential to double or even triple that distance. However, your well-seasoned car won’t go the distance without proper, regular maintenance.
