How To Buy A High Mileage Car

Due to the current economic situation, people are keeping their vehicles for longer and driving them farther. However, when it is time to replace their current car people rarely consider buying a high mileage car. They do not realise that provided a high mileage car has been well cared for it can provide a new owner with several more years of trouble free use. Buying a good high mileage car is not that difficult when you know what to look for.

When looking at high mileage cars examine the engine carefully for oil or other fluid leaks. Check the oil level, and make sure that the oil is not dirty. If the oil level is low or the oil is very dirty do not bother to buy the car. These are sure signs that the car has been well poorly maintained. Older cars burn more oil, but they should not leak or have dirty oil. Check that radiator water is not dirty and that it is at the right level. Check brake fluid and transmission fluid levels too.

Make sure that a high mileage car has been serviced throughout its life as per the manufacturers’ instructions. An older car should be serviced even more regularly than recommended. If you find an older car, which has been serviced every 3,000 miles or 3 months that is a good sign that the owner is taking care of it.

Check the tyres for signs of uneven wear. If you find evidence of it, try to find the underlying cause of the uneven wear. Then work out roughly what repairing that problem would cost you. Replacing parts on the suspension system can be labour intensive, so can be costly.

During the test-drive listen for any peculiar noises from the gears or clutch. Find out what the cost of a new gearbox or clutch would be and factor that cost into your decision on whether to buy it or not.

On older cars, rust and water ingress are more common problems than on new cars. Check all parts of the car for both. Be particularly careful if you find that water is leaking into the car. Once water gets into a car it travels along the wires and that can mean that the electrical systems will start to fail. Make sure that all of the electrical systems, such as electric windows and air conditioning are working properly. A simple thing like a new electric window motor can be expensive.

Book a cheap car service Manchester or book MOT online with the RRG Group today.

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