Should You Buy A Car With 200,000 Miles?

Published by AutoGuide.com, May 6, 2013, Written by Sami Haj-Assaad

When the need for transportation far outstrips your bank account, you end up looking at the dark-side of the classifieds: the super-cheap, almost 200,000 mile used cars. Is it ever worth it to buy one of these clunkers?

Any time you're considering buying a high-mileage used car, precautions should be taken. First things first, always get a pre-purchase inspection, as it can help identify a vehicle's trouble spots. And by always, we mean ALWAYS! Even if the last owner was the Pope.

However, with that much mileage, it's not easy to predict or see future problems.

"Those cars are in the 'as it breaks' phase of their life," explains Lou Trottier, Technician and Owner of All About Imports, a car repair facility that specializes in foreign models. "Predictability of maintenance costs is difficult and things to look for are hard to find as well." He explains that owners of cars with that much mileage end up having to repair and replace things as they break, in addition to performing their regular maintenance.

Not every high-mileage car is a lost cause though, as Trottier explains that some previous owners have reasons for putting such high-mileage on their car, and what it means to the next owner.

"There are times when a newer car is owned by someone who drives a lot, like a salesman who has a large territory to cover," says Trottier. "I have a couple of 2008-2009 Civics and Accords that come here that have more than 200,000 miles and these cars have been fairly reliable."

Of course Trottier says that these owners are aware of the extra stress they put on their cars, and that they usually come in every month or two for an oil change.

BUT IS IT WORTH IT?

Trottier explains that it's tough to find a good deal with cars with that much mileage, since they can be much older.

"Generally a ten year old car with excess of 160,000 miles, I generally recommend against ownership."

He's not the only one. Viraf Baliwalla, a broker for the Automall Network, which works with car buyers to help them get a good deal, is weary of high-mileage vehicles.

"I would stay away as the vehicle is more than likely nearing the end of its life and/or will be heavy on the repairs," says Baliwalla. "What good is spending only a few thousand dollars on the vehicle when it will cost you many times that in repairs over the next year or two?"

He recommends only one specific type of vehicle when it comes to very high mileage. "Diesel engines have been known to keep going and going for hundreds of thousands of miles without a problem so I would not be as concerned so long as the price was right," he says.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

Still looking at buying a high-mileage car? Then watch for the warning signs. Things like rust can be hidden under a paint job, so keep an eye open for paint bubbling, or other tricky rust spots. If the car is old as well, rust is almost unavoidable. Paint chips (caused by natural wear after putting all those miles on a car) can lead to rust quickly, and rust can spread too, so be aware of how much rust you're dealing with and how much you're ready to live with.

The suspension is another area that needs to be carefully inspected. Take a test drive, and ensure the car drives straight, and with minimal squeaks and rattles.

Check the car's tires as well, if they're older than six years they should be replaced. Be sure to also look for any cracks in the tire's sidewall, or for uneven wear. It's something small, but if you're on an extremely tight budget several hundred dollars spent replacing four tires can make all the difference.

An engine compression test is also useful to ensure the car has a healthy heart. Bad engine compression can point to future problems with the exhaust valves, head gasket or even the entire engine. Speaking of engines, ensure the oil is checked before buying a used car. The previous owner's bad habits can show up here, indicating a car which hasn't had its oil changed in a while, or is burning oil.

Interior wear and tear will also likely be an issue on a 200,000 mile. With a car this old and used it's likely things aren't going to be perfect. And while you might be able to live without a power rear window, what about your brakes? You're going to need those. Speaking of which, if you're buying a high-mileage car, check its brakes. Like with the tires, you'll want to know up-front if you may need to spend extra money replacing them in 6 months or a year.

Also always check for exhaust smoke. Blue smoke means excessive oil is being burned, indicating an engine problem. Black smoke shows up if there's a fuel system problem, which is producing excessive unburned fuel. White smoke comes thanks to burning anti-freeze, which could indicate a head gasket failure.

If there's no smoke, and the rest of the checks come up positive, then the car might just fit the bill to buy, but our advice? Make friends with a mechanic: you might be visiting them often.