Kilometers Driven Or Age? Which Factor To Consider When Buying A Used Car?

By Admin Reading time: 8 min read Published on: 09 / 04 / 2025
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Buying used cars has become a trend in the car market nowadays. In the recession period, customers rely on used cars for fulfilling their needs. Buying used cars is often seen as a benefit in the market. Used engines often provide better performance for the vehicle. Also, a used car has a lower insurance cost. You can also upgrade your model at a lower price when you are buying a used car.

Therefore, used cars are slowly making a shift in the market. But buying used cars is also a task. This is because there are so many doubts in our minds while selecting one.  

What are the factors that should count while selecting? How old should the car be? How many kilometres is too much for a used car? There are so many questions that might run in our minds. So if you are wondering, “does kilometres matter when buying a car?” or “when buying a car, how many km is good?” or “ buying a car with high kilometres”, keep reading the article to find the answer!

When we start looking for a car, we usually select a car by its design & features. While features are equally important in a vehicle, it is not the only thing that matters. No one wants an old fashioned rusty car, right?

Used Car Age Vs Mileage: Which Factor To Consider?

How much KM driven used car is good? How many KM is good for a second hand car? What is the age of a car? All these are a few questions that pop up in our heads when we are deciding to buy a good kilometers driven second-hand car . There are certain factors apart from knowing the kilometres driven or the age of the car that you should consider. But other important factors should count while choosing a car. Some of them are:

  1. Budget

Before looking for options to buy a second-hand luxury car, you should consider setting a budget. A budget will help you to rule out possibilities quickly. Establishing a budget will also help you to choose a value for money car for yourself. 

  1. Performance

 

A car’s performance is one of the prime factors while selecting the best second-hand car to buy. In the case of a used car, you should see its performance first. Often, a city car wears out more than an outside car. This is because city cars are more exposed to frequent acceleration & brakes. It results in easy-wearing out of the engine. Therefore, you should look out for it when considering a used car. Used car KM check is another important feature. It decides the health of the engine. 

  1. Maintenance Of The Used Cars

With used cars, maintenance is often an issue. The maintenance of the car depends on its owners. While some people are careful about their cars, some are not. Some people regularly engage in rash driving and do not maintain their car. Some parts of the car, like the engine, require proper maintenance and oiling. 

Servicing the car every 6-8 months is mandatory. Some people follow it rigorously, and some people do not. For the same reason, checking every part of the car is necessary. Thus, premium car servicing is essential for pre-owned premium cars.

  1. Age

The age of the best-used cars to buy is a debatable factor. Some people argue that the age of the car does not matter. If the vehicle is maintained correctly, as discussed above, age is not a problem. But that is not true in some cases. 

A 5-year-old car is still better than a 10-year-old car of the same model. However, parts, like engines and suspensions, are not designed to last forever. Eventually, they will wear out at some time. 

Therefore, while selecting a second-hand car, the used car age matters in most cases. Of course, used cars vs kilometres often create a discussion too. But factors like maintenance & mileage often conceal the age factor. 

  1. Mileage

Mileage car  is often confused with mileage per litre. But in reality, both of these terms are different. Mileage is the total number of kilometres the car travelled in its life. Mileage per litre is the number of kilometres you can run in 1 litre of fuel.

In the case of buying used luxury cars, both mileage & mileage per litres matters. 

With time, the mileage per litre of every car decreases. With constant running on the road, the capacity of every litre decreases. 

Mileage, on the other hand, informs how much the car has run in its entire life. One question which always arrives is, What’s a good odometer reading when buying a used car? A car that travelled 50,000 km is better than a car that travelled 70,000 km. Less mileage is essential. 

Therefore, mileage matters, too, while selecting a used car.

6. Engine

The most important component that any consumer must inspect while purchasing a secondhand automobile seems to be the engine. It is crucial to a vehicle's operation and efficient operation. The health of the engine affects overall performance, speed, and fuel economy. Furthermore, being able to afford a used automobile might help you get fantastic offers.

So it only makes good sense to inspect the engine before purchasing a used automobile. If the car does not immediately start in the first attempt then there can be issues with the engine. Similarly, if you feel a burning smell from the engine after you ride it for a few minutes then this indicates low oil level or combustion. 

7. Steering system 

A linkage problem seems to be the most frequent problem you may encounter with a steering mechanism. The primary linkage component that aids in vehicle mobility is the tie rod. But when those tie rods deteriorate, it becomes more difficult to sustain accurate alignment, and finally, the steering becomes uncontrollable.

You may want to rethink your choice or have the steering tested if you are finding it difficult to control the steering in the automobile you want to purchase. If you have a steering problem and lose control of your car, it is risky for both you and nearby vehicles.

8. Tyres

It is impossible to determine the state of tyres which they had been before when purchasing days or weeks earlier since they are regarded as a maintenance element that will wear out and are constantly in close touch with various road conditions.

If you check the tyres before buying the car, you at minimum have a possibility that the cost of replacing them will be included in the amount you are paying before taking ownership of them. The condition of the tyres might also reveal how effectively the car has already been managed.


9. Body Line

The kind of car body is one significant aspect that influences this choice. The topic of car body styles is extensive, and different countries use different names for them. In accordance with the design, function, underlying technology, and degree of customisation, names are assigned. There are several body types of cars available that one can explore. You can choose according to your requirements of the car. 

Which factor matters most- buy used luxury cars age vs kilometres?

Perhaps, it is an essential discussion before finalising a car. What matters more? Kilometres driven or age. 

  • An optimum combination of both factors is necessary. 

  • A used car mileage matters as it tells how much the car has run. But the age of the car means the magnitude of the wearing out of the car. 

  • For example, there are two cars. The first car is five years old, with 70,000 kilometres on the odometer. The second car is seven years old, with 1,00,000 kilometres on the odometer. Which car would you choose- first or second?

  • You should, in this case, choose the first car. As it is younger and has less mileage, it is the best choice for you. Fewer kilometres driven & age both constitute good balance. 

  • Do kilometres matter when buying a car? Yes, they do as fewer kilometres state that the car is not overused. 

Conclusion: Factors to Choose on Second-Hand Car Shopping

While selecting a car, you should look for an optimum balance of both factors as both are instrumental in deciding the used car’s health. Used cars age vs kilometres often creates biases in the market. But too much of anything causes trouble, right? But balance establishes a combination of both efficiency & effectiveness. Thus, some essential used car buying factors should be kept in mind before buying a used car.

When it comes to used car age vs mileage, it can be confusing. ABE experts are ready to answer your questions and guide you in making the right decision to buy a pre-owned luxury car. Auto Best Emperio(ABE) sells used premium vehicles at affordable prices. ABE deals inused premium vehicles.

Read More Posts:

1. Used Car Polishing Tips

2. Why to choose an electric car?

3. Car Steering System: Guide On How Does It Work?

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