When purchasing a second-hand car, how many kilometers is too much?

purchasing a second-hand car

Unless they’ve been thoroughly cared for, most cars don’t appear to last longer than 350,000 kilometers. Buyers typically prefer cars with less than 100,000 kilometers on the odometer at the time of purchase. There is no such thing as a car having traveled “too many kilometers”. Even though a car with only 50,000 km on the clock has never been maintained, driven hard, or had any other maintenance work done, it will not be in good condition. In contrast, a vehicle with 200,000 kilometers on the clock that has received routine maintenance, been driven responsibly, had its oil changed frequently, and has never been in an accident may be in better condition. However, an average car in India has a life of 250,000-300,000 km and buyers should avoid getting a car with more than 300,000 km on the odometer.

Nearly all second hand cars in India normally come with a warranty of roughly 100,000 km. With extended maintenance and services, it is safe to claim that the car might likely double its life, but you could avoid getting into all fundamentals of the car yourself if you get good assistance from your dealer.

Does the Mileage of a Used Car matter?

When looking for a used car, mileage is frequently a top priority. Naturally, any enthusiast of automobiles will inform you that “mileage is simply a number and condition is what matters most.” That’s true, but mileage can also show how much wear a car has experienced and, consequently, how much life the components of the car still have.

Of all, you may have a car with 200,000 km on it that runs great and one with 100,000 km on it that belongs in the garbage. The type of automobile and the budget is actually what matters when looking at mileage thresholds for second-hand cars. Varying price ranges and car types will have different standards for what counts as “too many kilometers.”

Buying Used Cars from a Good dealer

Over the years, India’s used-car market has grown quickly, and it is reasonable to conclude that this is a trend that is generally positive. Dealers from which you are buying the car matter the most, you should prefer respected dealers to ensure the best assistance and fast services.

Some individuals take care of their cars, but not everyone does. Some people neglect their cars and drive recklessly regularly. The engine, for example, needs to be properly maintained and oiled.

The vehicle must be serviced every 6 to 8 months. Some individuals follow it rigorously, and some people do not.

How should you maintain your car?

It is not sufficient to simply check your tires’ pressure and wash your car. Long-term automotive health depends on you being able to do a basic check of your car’s vitals. Apart from regular servicing, these are the simple ways to maintain your car:

  • Change Oils regularly

A car has thousands of moving parts that must be lubricated for them to function optimally. The main element that requires sufficient lubrication to operate is the engine. As wear and tear progress over time, the engine oil becomes soiled and occurs more quickly. When oil changes are performed at the specified intervals, the car will run well for many years.

  • Battery maintenance

The car’s battery is the source of power for all electrical systems. Slightest battery difficulties can cause wiring and fuses to burn out, which causes even bigger problems. Give your battery a once-over at least once a month. Look for things like rust, loose connections, and water level.

  • Replace any necessary fluids

In addition to engine oil, other fluids also require replacement. Brake oil, power steering oil, transmission oil, and coolant also lose out on their effectiveness over a long time and need to be changed.

Final thoughts

A car with 200,000 km on it that has had regular maintenance, has been driven responsibly, has had its oil changed frequently, and has never been in an accident might be in better shape. Good assistance from your dealer matters the most when buying a Used Car.

An Aerospace engineer by profession, Bob has a deep passion for automobiles. He started blogging on automotive stuffs since 2010 and still has the same drive for the automobiles. Feel free to contact him using the "Contact Us" form.Add Bob on FB