Used cars with 1 lakh kilometres on the odometer usually have a substantially lower resale value. There is a psychological barrier for consumers at the 100,000 kilometre mark for customers who want to buy used car. However, well-maintained cars today can easily exceed this mileage barrier in good condition.
But being a used car buyer, you need to consider several factors, including the car's model car, maintenance history, and how much driving it has undergone. Cars with a larger engine capacity last longer, and similarly, cars with larger wheels have more durable tires and suspensions. The resale market price of these, of course, is considerably higher in the used car market.
Car type
Small hatchbacks with more than 100,000 kilometers on them are either great deals since they are so cheap, or they may empty your bank account with large maintenance bills. Even after 100,000 kilometers, cars like Maruti Alto, Hyundai Grand i10, and Maruti Wagon-R perform excellently with regular maintenance. All of these cars have likely had a minimum one clutch replacement and should be on their third set of tires.
Bigger or premium used cars, such as SUVs and sedans, should only be in their mid-life at this stage, and if they have perfect service histories, buying them shouldn't be an issue.
Yuvraj Singh to Virat Kohli - when celebrities added used cars into their garage
A proven service track record
A complete service record is essential if you are planning to buy a used car on a tight budget. Many owners continue to regularly take their cars to the approved service centre, which results in better-maintained cars. However, there may be some owners who prefer to service their cars at an independent garage, in such cases be sure to ask for a detailed record of the work done. Independent garages can be just as good as authorized service centres, if not better. Check to make sure that only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts were used.
If you are buying a diesel used car, you'll want to pay extra attention to the car's health and maintenance history. The car's service history should give a good idea of its age. The turbocharger and engine, in general, have an extended life if diesel engines are well-cared for in their early years. Still, you should also physically inspect the car – and listen for any unusual noises, smoke emissions, or other signs of damage. Stay away from such cars at the slightest sign of problems, as repairs can be costly.
Car's age
Any car that has clocked over 100,000 kilometers in less than 5 years is considered heavily used. Check the car's history to know how much it is used in the past. It is best if only car owner has driven the car and not a driver. Car's location also matters. For example, a car used in Delhi-NCR gets 15,000 km a year on average, whereas a car in Bangalore gets less than 10,000 km a year. If the car is older than 15 years, it will need to be re-registered, and you'll require a fitness certificate to drive it on the road. It is a real hassle.
Hope above mentioned points will help make a more informed decision to buy used car.
