Experts in Japanese used cars have been debating over the importance of mileage on second-hand vehicles. Some of them believe that what really matters is the current condition of the car. On the other hand, others think that a car with high mileage is not worth purchasing at all. If you are planning to buy a vehicle from a Japanese car auction, you must know the arguments coming from both sides. In this post, we are going to discuss the factors you should consider when looking at the mileage of a car.

High-Mileage Vehicles are not as Bad as You Think

It is common to find cars with high mileage at more affordable prices. Do not ignore them right away. When reviewing high-mileage cars, you should learn some details about the previous owner. Even if a vehicle has over 200,000 miles on the engine, if it has been in possession of a single owner, it is still worth considering. Generally, those qualities reflect extensive care and maintenance during the life of the car. If the owner held onto the vehicle for so long, it means that they were satisfied with the car.

Lower Mileage Means Less Wear and Tear

Before we proceed, we’d like to point out that low-mileage Japanese used cars can also turn out as a total beater. So, it is crucial that you read the vehicle history report to know if the unit has been cared for properly. All things considered, lower miles generally mean longer life from most parts of the vehicle. That said, you can expect to keep the ownership costs down.

Also, you must consider that a lot of cars have transmissions that start to malfunction at around a certain mileage. For instance, some cars start to get oil leaks once they hit six figures. So, the low-mileage vehicles from a Japanese car auction generally have good transmissions.

Low-Mileage Vehicles May Not Have Had the Exercise They Need

Even if the car has a low mileage, you should still consider how old it is. Older low-mileage vehicles may not have had the exercise they needed. Keep in mind that when the plastic and rubber components of a car are not used regularly, they will get brittle. Moreover, the parts of the drivetrain need a consistent flow of hot fluids. So, the low miles may look seductive to you, but they can foreshadow costly repairs and reconditioning.

That said, you should cross-shop an older low-mileage vehicle with a higher-mileage unit, especially one that is relatively new. As we’ve mentioned, if the car has gone through religious maintenance, it is still a better long-term bet despite having a high mileage.

Planning to Resell?

If you plan to sell the vehicle at some point, you must consider the resale value of the used car you’re about to buy. In this case, choosing a low-mileage vehicle is the best option. No matter how properly maintained a high-mileage car is, a unit with lower miles on the engine still tends to be more attractive to buyers. When you purchase a vehicle with very low miles, it will still end up with low mileage a few years down the road. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to sell it close to or even higher than the price you paid.

Your Best Bet: Buy a Used Car from Carused.jp

Here at Carused.jp, all the Japanese used cars we offer come with comprehensive vehicle history reports. That said, when you look at our online catalog, you will be able to examine the condition of the car, allowing you to get the best value for your money.

When you want to import used Japanese cars to your country, contact Carused.jp today!