High vehicle mileage. How do you know him?

Each kilometer traveled can be compared with the next word written in the history of our car. How to recognize cars with a really rich history?

An old joke about sale ads: "Price and mileage are negotiable." It's funny and at the same time quite scary when we realize that we bought a vehicle that actually covered more than 200 kilometers, and not as the seller assured - only 90 XNUMX. km. Again and again we hear that such actions should be punished, but before this happens, we must know how to protect ourselves from such practices.

It's no secret that even new, 3-4-year-old cars can have a mileage of several thousand kilometers. Example? Vehicles used by couriers or sales representatives. The removed meter is only there to help raise the price and get rid of the problem more easily. So what should you pay attention to so as not to become a victim of a seller with dubious intentions?

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A newer car is much easier to adapt so it doesn't show the distance the current owner has had to travel. However, he usually does not spend too much money on repairs, as it is not very profitable for him. With older models, their owners do not try so hard to hide high-mileage rooms. A car worth PLN 10-15 is considered to be more worn out, and investing more money brings the seller only less profit. Therefore, it is easier to identify mileage that does not correspond to the condition of the car.

Car mileage. The car body will tell you the truth

The first thing that indicates a high mileage of the car is the condition of its front end. Chips on the hood, remnants of stones and tarnishing indicate that the car had to travel many kilometers. Damage to the traffic light will also be an element showing the condition of the car - any defects can grow to such an extent that this part will only be suitable for replacement, which means it will indicate its high degree of exploitation.

The condition of the car and its high mileage are also confirmed by the windshield and its periphery. The more microcracks and dents on the racks near the glasses, the more mileage the car goes through.  

The condition of the car body will reveal everything - the shortcomings will indicate not only whether the mileage is possible, but will also make it possible to diagnose - what may be wrong with the car.

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Summing up: outwardly, you should pay attention to the condition of the engine cover: the presence of chips, scuffs, defects near the headlights, as well as the condition of the glasses - possible scratches and dents on the racks and the condition of the body.

Car mileage. Let's take a look inside

Inside we can find more information about the car's mileage. A worn steering wheel, gear lever boot, or the knob itself will be the first signs of frequent vehicle use. The next elements are scuffs on the seats and the condition of the upholstery. This is easier to see on leather and velor seats. When examining the driver's seat, you should pay attention to whether it is badly “worn” and shabby, whether there are strong abrasions, scratches, and sometimes cracks on it. The condition of the back of the driver's door may also indicate a high mileage - as you know, this is the place where the elbow is especially often placed. Discoloration or abrasion of plastic should not occur even after a run of 20-40 thousand km.

Vendors and retailers often forget to prepare – clean – the plastic around buttons, such as on an electric handbrake or doorknobs. The rubber or paint around frequently used buttons is peeling or even flaking off. The buttons themselves can also be a useful tip. Worn symbols convey a clear message that they have been used frequently.

It is also worth paying attention to the indicator activation levers, as well as the pedals. Two inconspicuous points that - the more worn and damaged, the more they can show high mileage. Few people remember them, and they can give us clear information.

Of course, purely consumable items - brake discs, all kinds of seals or the condition of the engine can "tell" the whole truth about the mileage. When buying, it is better to contact the mechanic, because only the chassis is able to answer the question of real mileage or not.

Car mileage. date on plastic

Some plastic parts (eg ashtray, lamp housings, etc.) are marked with the month and year of manufacture. Thanks to this, we can more or less know when the car was built (usually parts for production are used regularly). If, for example, the left and right lamp or indicators have different production dates, then there is a high probability that the part was replaced, for example, due to a breakdown. Production dates are also printed on the windows of the car. Again, if the graphical description of one panel differs from the others, then it is likely that it has been replaced.

Car mileage. Better be careful and be vigilant

When deciding to buy a used car without being sure of the mileage, look for chips, scuffs, scuffs, cracks, mismatched interior trim, or excessively large gaps at body junctions. Checking the VIN and contacting a specialist with this vehicle may be the last resort in determining the actual mileage. Of course, the seller can go to detail, replace damaged parts, change the upholstery, which makes it difficult to prove that the indicated value on the counter is false. When we buy a used car that is too "shiny" (especially under the hood), the warning light should come on. Knowing what to look for will make it easier for us to tell if something is wrong.