When buying a second -hand car, the essential and determining factors are reduced to: the mileage and the age. The newest used vehicles usually cost more than the oldest, since they usually have less wear. And those used with less mileage usually cost more than those of greater mileage. It makes sense, right? But, now, let’s explore what is more important. Is it more important to take into account filming or age?
There is no definitive guide to buy a second -hand car – although we have a basic -, but we can help you can make a more successful decision with some of our tips. There will be some to those who weigh the kilometers more in front of the years, and vice versa. Which one does it affect more? Like everything in life, dependsbecause a vehicle with 10 years or rather careful can be as reliable as an almost premiere that does not have the most delicate owner.
What tells us the mileage?
He mileage It is usually one of the primary reasons why we guide ourselves at the time of buying a second -hand car. The number that appears in the odometer tells a great story about how much the vehicle has been “used”. One that has been driven just for 50,000 kilometers has a different wear than 150,000 km. Understanding the mileage in its total is only part of the equation, the way they have been acquired is another (we insist that, many times, it is most important “how” than “how much”).
For example, has that car lived only because of the village of the town? Or have you dedicated yourself to long highway trips? Have you used it in circuit? Has its owner been careful with him and has the relevant maintenance? How many hands have passed?
All these questions – and many others – serve to find out What kind of life did the vehicle had. If it has been mistreated over the years, poorly maintained or has suffered an accident and the repair is at least a bungling, you are likely to have to face several headaches after their purchase.
What tells us about age?
When buying a second -hand car, the age From the aforementioned in consideration he also deserves to turn him around. Used vehicles that are newer and have less filming can be well positioned to provide durable service, as can be a km 0 or a semi -account with less than 25,000 km. It is also interesting to note that the average age of the Spanish mobile park exceeds 13 years, which makes it more difficult find copies with little time and use. It is there where the key point enters beyond the mileage and the age of a second -hand car: maintenance.
When you check the maintenance book From a vehicle and get a clear image of how the car was used in the past, it will help you understand how well it could work as it ages. A car with detailed service records that show that the seller kept it routinely offers an advantage over those that do not provide such attention. We emphasize that It is not a guarantee of failure exemptionbut you can know what probably touches you in the future (such as a clutch change or distribution).
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE HISTORY
Yes, you can weigh the mileage and age of each vehicle, but the most important factor when taking a second -hand model is in The review book and in its maintenance history. Of course, even if everything is apparently in order, it never hurts a certified mechanic inspects it before throwing you to buy it. Because you could take home a two -year -old car with 50,000 kilometers, but if the previous owner was hard with him and did not take care of him, then you will have ballots to show signs of wear before expected.
Any piece can be broken prematurely in these cases, so an inspection is key. Especially in those cars that have enjoyed A stressful urban lifewith innumerable arrests and accelerations. In this environment, the car experiences greater wear in its essential components, such as brakes, suspension, gearbox and even the engine itself, in front of one that has practically not left the highway. Everything really is reduced to what is the best car you can get with the budget you have marked.
The same happens, but exponentially expanded, if the vehicle has been regularly taken to a circuit. There, all components always yield to the maximum, so the stress to which these pieces are subjected is incredibly high and, consequently, the risk of premature failure is higher. Fortunately, many of the owners who come to the racing track often carry good maintenance of their machines. However, its mileage, even if it is extremely low, is hard enough to be more pending.
Are there better cars than others with the passage of kilometers and years?
This is another classic question. What cars offer me more long -term reliability guarantees? Because, normally, when you are looking for a used vehicle, what you do not want is to spend more money on its tuning to circulate at ease and safely than what has cost you, right? A priori, any car can be a lottery, but it is true that there are some brands that enjoy a good reputation as far as reliability is concerned. Many of them are of Japanese origin, especially Toyota and Slingwho have been working that image for more than 70 years.
Now, that does not mean that all the models of the rest of the brands are worse, much less. Some of the automotive firms with a somewhat doubtful reliability legacy, see italian signatures as Fiatthey have also given birth to exceptionally good models that have been “Indestructible” before the abuse of its owners. Of course, there are annual studies that are responsible for analyzing the most and less reliable vehicles in the market, but of an illustrative sample and, normally, with models that do not usually exceed three or five years.
Once again, a vehicle of high mileage that has circulated on well -paved roads, probably will have more useful life than one with many kilometers of city, which age the car more quickly. If you have doubts, you should always ask the owner without regard, and if you do not trust his words, Ask for a history report through dedicated platformswell to the DGT or specialized entities as Carfax. With the document you also ensure that the mileage has not been “sanding”, a practice that, unfortunately, is still common.
What to consider when buying a second -hand car
When buying a used car, Care of it is essential for your longevity. Just as human beings tend to live longer when they eat well, exercise and receive good medical attention, cars usually last more when they receive adequate routine maintenance. The essential maintenance: change the oil regularly, replace the air filter according to the manual, check the levels of fluids and examine the straps and sleeves.
With classic cars, it all depends on the restoration it has had – if it has been restored – since it is easier for them to “slip.” And finally, the key is to buy at a good price. Although concessionaires usually tend at a fixed price, if you buy from an individual, there is almost always the possibility of haggling the occasional Eurillo. Regardless of the mileage or age, it verifies the value of the second -hand car to see if it is a good purchase. Considering antiquity and number in your odometer is not as more important as Observe car maintenance.
