Should I Buy a Car With 150k Miles?

Most people, and understandably so, consider high-mileage used cars to be a major risk. You will, however, require additional knowledge. If you’re looking for the greatest used car, mileage is an important issue to consider. Thus, the question is should I buy a car with 150k miles?

Should I Buy a Car With 150k Miles?

The answer varies depending on the car’s make and model, as well as case by case. In most cases, a vehicle should be judged on how well it was maintained and driven rather than how many miles it has accumulated.

A car may have 80,000 miles on it, but if those 80,000 miles involved heavy acceleration, fast braking, off-roading, and driving through mud without sufficient care, the automobile will not last as long as a vehicle that was handled carefully and attentively.

Some automobiles are simply more dependable than others. Some models are capable of exceeding 200k miles, whereas others are not. Depending on the model, buying a car with 150k miles isn’t necessarily a terrible decision.

What Should Be Aware When Buying a Car With 150k Miles or More?

If buying a new car is not your option, then you’ll want to do some research to see if a certain vehicle is worth the money at such high mileage. There are a lot of issues to be aware of when driving a car with high mileage. Even if you don’t have any of these problems, it’s still a good idea to prepare yourself.

1. Repairs to the transmission

Transmission problems are significantly more likely to occur in vehicles with more than 100,000 miles. Transmission problems can be highly costly. You could likely spend upwards of $2,000 if you require a completely new transmission. This is by far one of the most significant dangers of purchasing a vehicle with more than 150k miles on it.

2. Brake pads

For a car with high mileage, it’s also likely that you’ll require new brake pads. When you hear that annoying screeching noise when you press the brakes, you know it’s time to do this. However, a car’s mileage isn’t the only indicator of when the brake pads need to be replaced. Drivers who spend a lot of time stuck in traffic will need to replace their tires sooner.

3. Problems with engines

Even a relatively minor issue with a vehicle’s engine can cost hundreds of dollars. This is something you’ll have to think about as well. If you buy a car with 150,000 miles on it, you’ll almost certainly need to make these repairs. Around 100k miles, an engine change is usually required, but not always.

4. Brand new tires

For a car with 150k miles or more, you may need to purchase new tires. Car tires should be renewed every 2-3 years on average, but this varies based on driving habits. While this is not a significant outlay, it will take you more than a few dollars.

5. Fuel and water pumps

Every 50k miles or so, a car’s gasoline filter should be replaced. It’s critical that you do this to minimize a potentially costly fuel pump failure. Water pumps on vehicles with over 100,000 miles on them are prone to failure and may require replacement.

Risks of Buying High Mileage Cars

When you opt to acquire a high mileage vehicle, you won’t have all of the info you need, and you’ll never know how long these cars will survive. You can get a good notion of how the former owner drives the automobile if you know them. It’s more of a gamble if you don’t know how the car was driven. You can request to drive along with them to observe their driving style, but keep in mind that they are unlikely to be the vehicle’s only owner.

Maintenance documents are an excellent thing to ask for because otherwise, you’ll have no idea how the car was cared for.   All of these facts can be found in a vehicle history report such as Carfax.

Things You Should Know Before Buying a High Mileage Car

If you plan to acquire a car with more than 150k miles on it, you should get it properly inspected first. This will save you a lot of time and aggravation in the future. You’ll want to know if the car will require significant repairs in the near future. This entails having a professional mechanic inspect the car so you can determine exactly what is wrong with it. You’ll discover a list of items you should get before purchasing a vehicle as below:

• Records of maintenance
• A Carfax report or other documents based on the vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Understanding the car’s history and how many owners it has had is essential.
• A title bearing the name of the vehicle owner (who is also the person selling you the automobile).
• A clean title
• A complete car purchase checklist
• Take a test drive
• Take the vehicle to a reputable mechanic.

How to Extend the Life of a High-mileage Vehicle

While nothing lasts forever, there are things you can do to extend the life of your vehicle.

1. When it comes to maintenance, stick to the owner’s manual

No one knows how to care for and maintain your vehicle better than the folks who designed it. The owner’s manual should serve as a guide to what periodic maintenance your car will require over the years and miles you spend with it. Allow your owner’s manual to lead you to a long and happy life with the vehicle, from the sort of coolant and fluids it requires to the proper time period for oil changes. If you ignore these maintenance tasks at any point during the life cycle, your car’s life will be reduced.

2. Don’t use low-cost replacement parts

When it comes to your vehicle’s repairs, you want to be sure you’re using the best parts available. When it comes to vehicle parts, you usually get what you pay for, and while a new element may be more costly upfront, it will save you a lot of money and time in the long run. So, if you want to maintain your automobile in the best possible condition for safe driving, install the parts that your mechanic suggests.

3. Drive carefully

If you mistreat your car every time you drive it, it will most likely not last as long as it could. Thus, conservative driving is needed, and it is linked to the longevity of your vehicle. To make your automobile endure as long as possible, don’t accelerate and decelerate abruptly, take turns slowly and steadily, and avoid hazardous roads.

Final Words

Purchasing a vehicle with 150,000 miles on it isn’t always a bad choice. Before making a decision, you’ll need to consider the car’s manufacturer and model. As previously stated, some car models are renowned to be more dependable and long-lasting than others. You should also know what maintenance the car will undergo in the near future. All of these factors can assist you in making the best decision possible. You’ll want to do everything you can to avoid a slew of costly repair expenses in the future.