[Car Tips] Is it worth buying a used car with high mileage?

🚗 Let me tell you: High mileage doesn’t necessarily mean bad.

In Hong Kong, when people hear the term "high mileage" on a used car, their immediate reaction is, "Oh no! It's going to break down!"
But in fact, high mileage is a neutral indicator . It only reflects that the car is used frequently, not necessarily bad. On the contrary, low mileage is not necessarily good, because some low-mileage cars may have been parked in the sun for a long time without anyone driving them, and their parts are still failing.

1️⃣ First define: What is considered a "high mileage" point in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is a small place, so it is normal for car owners to travel an average of 8,000-12,000 kilometers a year.

  • Ordinary private cars
    • 5-year-old car → Mileage over 80,000 km is considered high
    • 10-year-old car → more than 160,000 kilometers is considered high
  • Commercial/cross-border vehicles (such as Alphard, Hiace)
    • Normal mileage is 20,000–40,000 kilometers per year, and the mileage threshold should be increased accordingly

2️⃣ Advantages of high-mileage used cars

💰 Affordable price

  • For the same year and model, the higher mileage version may be 20%–40% cheaper.
  • If your budget is limited, you can buy a newer car with more equipment for the same amount of money.

📜 Historical transparency

  • Many high-mileage vehicles are commercial or family long-distance vehicles with clear maintenance records (because they are used frequently and need to be maintained on time).
  • Long-distance driving is gentler than short-distance traffic jams and causes less wear and tear on the engine and gearbox.

🛠️ Consumable parts have been replaced

  • Some high mileage cars may have had their shock absorbers, gearbox oil, belts, water pumps and other major parts replaced by their predecessors, saving you a lot of money.

3️⃣ Risks of high-mileage used cars

⚠️ High wear and tear on machine parts

  • Suspension, steering, brake system, gearbox, etc. are approaching replacement period
  • Shortened lifespan of electronic components (sensors, motors)

⚠️ Low market resale price

  • Although your purchase price is low, there will be fewer buyers in the future, so there is a lot of room for negotiation.

⚠️ High repair rate

  • Even if well maintained, parts have a lifespan, so you should prepare a maintenance budget after purchasing.

4️⃣ Editor's practical judgment method

① Look at the "Miles/Age" ratio

  • Average annual mileage > 20,000 km is considered high load
  • Be careful if the average mileage is less than 5,000 km per year (it may be idle for a long time)

② Check maintenance records

  • Have you changed the oil or parts according to the manufacturer's or a professional garage's recommendations?
  • It is better to have complete documents rather than just talk.

③ Look at the driving type

  • Long-distance high-speed driving (such as cross-border driving) → Low engine load, acceptable if properly maintained
  • Short-distance urban traffic jams → Frequent gear changes and short parts life

④ Find a professional vehicle inspection

  • Check chassis, gearbox operation, engine compression ratio
  • Check for oil leakage, overheating, and chassis rust

5️⃣ Editor's Tips

  1. tampered car

    • It is very common for high mileage to turn into low mileage. You must verify it with historical maintenance records or vehicle inspection reports.
    • OBD testing and government vehicle inspection records can be used as reference

  2. Flooded car/accident car

    • If a high-mileage car has been in a serious accident, its value will drop even more.
    • Check welding spots, carpet bottoms, and wire connectors for water stains

  3. Commercial extreme vehicle

    • Some commercial vehicles run for more than ten hours every day. Although they are well maintained, their parts are still very fatigued.
    • Check the usage record clearly (e.g. taxi, truck)

6️⃣ Editor’s real experience

  • Example 1 : A friend bought a five-year-old Toyota Prius+ with 180,000 kilometers, fully maintained by the factory. The previous owner was an Uber driver. He drove it for two years, replacing only the tires and battery. He then sold it for a small profit, as hybrids were in high demand in the used market.
  • Example 2 : Another netizen was greedy and bought a 6-year-old European car with 90,000 kilometers (low mileage). However, the previous owner had parked the car for a long time, and there were many problems with the rubber parts, air-conditioning system, and circuits. The repair cost was more than half of the purchase price.

7️⃣ Editor’s suggestion: Which type of people are suitable for high-mileage cars?

  • Suitable :

    • I have a limited budget but want to buy a newer car
    • Low vehicle usage (<8,000 km per year)
    • Be prepared to spend money on repairs
    • I plan to drive it until it's scrapped and not sell it again.

  • Not suitable for :

    • Want to resell short term
    • Not familiar with judging the condition of a vehicle and unwilling to spend money on a vehicle inspection
    • Very sensitive to maintenance costs

❤️ Summary

📌 High mileage used cars in Hong Kong don’t necessarily mean they are bad, but you need to consider their usage, maintenance, and price.📌 High mileage cars are usually affordable and well-equipped, but they carry a high maintenance risk, so you need to have a backup budget.📌 Editor’s Quote: “Don’t be surprised by high mileage, be surprised by no record” – A high mileage car with a complete maintenance record is sometimes more worth buying than a low mileage car with no record.

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