Should I Buy a Car With 100,000 Miles?

Decide if you should buy a car with 100,000 miles on it.

Vehicle Cost

If you can find a vehicle with 100,000 miles on it, chances are it will be cheaper than the same vehicle with 50,000 miles on the odometer. You can save money by purchasing a higher-mileage car. For the right price, you can also pay cash and eliminate the need for financing and monthly payments.

Possible Repairs

Unless you owned the 100,000-mile vehicle yourself, you cannot prove what maintenance it has had throughout its lifetime. Vehicles with 100,000 miles on the odometer are often in need of a major service and lack a warranty. Check with the manufacturer to determine what work is recommended and find out from the current owner what repairs have already been completed.

Bottom Line

You should buy a car with 100,000 miles on it if you can ensure that it is mechanically sound. Have a mechanic take a look at the vehicle before you purchase it and ask for a detailed list of repairs that need to be done. Find out from the current owner about the repair and maintenance history, such as timing belt replacement (an expensive maintenance item).

References

• Cars.com: Advantages of New and Used Cars