It has been said that cars over 100,000 miles no longer have a value since their best days have already gone by. It is said that if you own a car with over 100,000 miles on it or are planning to buy one, you should expect some problems to start showing soon. While there can be some truth to that, it is not always the case. In fact, most modern cars can easily hit 200,000 miles without experiencing any major problems. The durability and longevity of a car really depends on how well it is maintained and how regularly it is serviced. If you are concerned about having cars over 100,000 miles and ask, what mileage is too much? There is no definite number of miles when it comes to cars but if you should put a limit, then consider 200,000 miles. When cars reach this number, it is most likely that they’ll give in to wear and tear and other problems.
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If you are planning to buy cars over 100,000 miles, your primary concern should not be its mileage but on how it has been consistently maintained and serviced. It will matter more when you decide to purchase high mileage cars. On the other hand, if you own a car with more than 100,000 miles on it, it won’t really become a problem if you have properly maintained it. It can still last for another 100,000 miles and more.
Cars Over 100,000 Miles: Are Cars with over 100K Miles Good?
When deciding to buy a used car, you will usually look at the odometer first or read about the car’s mileage written on its description when you are looking for used cars online. If you see anything with over 100,000 miles, you probably would ask, are cars with over 100,000 miles good?
In the past, when people saw cars with over 100,000 miles on them, they would think that there is no value left in those cars. These cars are often avoided. But now, modern cars are made more durable and can easily last for more than 200,000 miles without experiencing some major issues. It can be achieved when the car has been consistently and properly maintained and serviced. Although modern cars are more durable now, when buying a used car with high mileage, you still have to consider a lot of factors.
One thing that you need to consider when buying a car with over 100,000 miles is the number of owners it has. Other than worrying about the mileage, knowing how many owners the car had through its lifespan will also matter. If you are looking at a car with 70,000 miles on it but it already had four owners during its 8 year span, there is a huge possibility that there may be an owner or two that did not maintain the car properly.
Now, for cars over 100,000 miles but with only one previous owner during its lifespan, with complete maintenance and service records, then you are looking at a great deal. It will be a better choice since you know that the car has been properly maintained compared to the car with less mileage but with incomplete service records. You won’t most likely shell out a lot of money for repairs over the remaining lifespan of the car.
Bear in mind that the car manufacturers today build more durable cars and engines that are capable of lasting hundreds of thousands of miles. But this can only be achieved when the car and its components are working properly. What better way to keep the car’s components working properly and efficiently than by following the maintenance schedule set by the car’s manufacturers.
Cars over 100,000 miles may be considered high mileage, but mileage should not be the major concern for the used car shoppers. They should take a look at the condition of the car and its maintenance and service records. Both of these factors can determine whether a car will be considered a good purchase or not.
You should look at or inspect the car’s overall condition. If it has been properly maintained, it will reflect on how its interior and exterior will look. You will notice if a car is in perfectly good shape. If the owner has kept the car’s interior and exterior in good shape, then it is most likely that the owner follows the recommended maintenance and service schedule. Owners such as this one also tend to keep thorough maintenance records which includes the repairs done and when it was done.
Some of the things you need to pay close attention to in a car’s maintenance history include:
- Timing chain and belt
Timing belts are overlooked all the time. It should not be the case since it plays a very important role in the overall function of the engine. It wears out over time and when this happens, it can snap that could result in serious damage that can render your entire engine totaled. The time belt should be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles while the timing chain should be replaced every 80,000 to 120,000 miles.
- Brakes
Brakes are considered as one of the most important safety features of a car. That is why you need to make sure that it is well taken care of. Brake pads have to be replaced every 30,000 to 70,000 miles. The brake discs can usually last up to 120,000 miles but if it starts to show some problems, then it has to be replaced immediately. But brake pads are considered to be a consumable item, so you will have to replace them eventually. Good thing that it is not that expensive to replace.
- Oil change
Oil changes are one of the most important and usually performed car maintenance there is. It is needed since oil gets old and contaminated over time. If the oil change intervals set by the manufacturer are ignored, it can lead to problems that can be very expensive to repair and you don’t want to deal with that when you purchase used cars over 100,000 miles.
Oil is considered the lifeblood of a car. It keeps the engine and its components properly lubricated. It also helps to keep the engine cool. That is why when you are checking the maintenance and service records of the car you are planning to buy, you need to pay attention to the oil changes and check if the owner follows the recommended oil change interval set by the manufacturer.
- Fluids
Cars have many different fluids and each of them has a specific purpose. Since all of these fluids are very important, they have to be properly maintained which includes topping them off and replacing them when necessary.
- Transmission
Transmissions can last from 150,000 miles to 200,000 miles and proper maintenance will be the biggest factor in determining if the car’s transmission will be able to hit this expected lifespan. Transmission is considered as one of the most expensive car parts to repair or replace so you need to make sure that you won’t buy a used car with underlying transmission problems. If you check cars over 100,000 miles, make sure that you will also be checking if the transmission is well maintained and is regularly serviced. Regular service and maintenance can help extend the life of the transmission.
Cars Over 100,000 Miles: Is it Bad to Hit 100,000 Miles?
Many people today own cars over 100,000 miles. Maybe it is because modern cars are built to be more durable now or maybe car owners are more knowledgeable now when it comes to the proper maintenance and services their cars need. But some people are also worried if their cars hit the 100,000-mile mark. So some of them ask, is it bad to hit 100,000 miles?
To answer the question, no, it is not bad at all if you have been maintaining your car properly. If you have been taking care of your car like you should, having it regularly serviced, then it is most likely that your car won’t be having any major problem. However, since you now own a car with a high mileage, there are several maintenance procedures you need to do to make sure that you won’t experience any problems soon.
The maintenance procedures cars over 100,000 miles need include:
- Performing frequent oil changes
It is given that oil changes are necessary to keep your engine running at its optimum performance. But, oil becomes contaminated with dirt over time which can clog your car’s filters. When this happens, it can cause premature wear to your engine and other components.
Oil also has protective capabilities thanks to its additives. It is capable of reducing friction and preventing rust, corrosion, and other build ups. As the oil ages, its protective capabilities also wear down. This means that it won’t be able to protect your engine like it’s supposed to. That is why you need to schedule frequent oil changes to make sure that your engine stays protected, especially when it has over 100,000 miles on it. You should have your oil change every 3,000 miles or every 3 months, whichever comes first.
- Switching to high mileage oil
High mileage oil is designed and made for cars over 100,000 miles. This kind of oil contains special additives that are made to provide extra support to older engines since they are more prone to breakdowns caused by deposit build ups, leaks, sludge, friction, and heat.
If you use high mileage oil for your car with over 100,000 miles, it can help ensure that your engine gets more protection compared to just using regular oil. Most high mileage oil sold in the market today has additives like friction-reducing agents or anti-wear that can help reduce engine wear. The additives found in high mileage oil can help protect your car and can help boost its performance.
- Performing a brake system flush
A brake system flush is usually done every 60,000 miles. This maintenance helps clear out the brake fluid along with the dirt, sludge, and other contaminants it has accumulated over time. Dirty and contaminated brake fluid reduces the efficiency of your car’s brakes and can compromise your safety. To take care of your car with over 100,000 miles, you or a mechanic needs to perform a brake system flush in order to remove the dirty, contaminated fluid and replace it with a new one.
- Adding fuel injector cleaner liquid into your gas tank
This simple maintenance is affordable and can be done easily. You just need to purchase a fuel injector cleaner liquid and pour it into your gas tank. This should be done every 3,000 to 5,000 miles since it helps keep your fuel system efficient.
- Checking the transmission fluid
The transmission fluid is responsible for lubricating the transmission and gears of your car. Most cars can go around 80,000 to 100,000 miles without experiencing problems with the transmission, but remember that it can vary from car to car. Plus, your driving habits can also affect the life of your transmission. It can either make it or break it.
To take good care of cars over 100,000 miles, you need to have your transmission fluid checked at least every 30,000 miles. When the mechanic recommends a fluid change or flush, you need to go through with it to make sure that you won’t be dealing with transmission problems anytime soon.
Modern cars are proving to be more durable and reliable thanks to the recent developments and technologies. Many cars on the road today can last for over 100,000 miles without problems. Cars over 100,000 miles are not that scary to keep anymore, especially if you know how to take care of them. But if you have been neglecting the maintenance and services it needs, know that you will have to deal with expensive repairs and part replacements sooner or later.