How much value is behind Low KM's on a used car?

[Deago999]

I ask this (How much value is behind Low KM's on a used car?) because Im about to buy a used car, 2010 Polo 1.6 comfort line, 96 000KM.
Since my first car I have always ached and worried:

"Oh, do I really need to drive my car today, it will just add on unneeded KM's, thus devaluing my car"
and
"Oh no! My car just ticked over to 84000, theres another R2000 gone off the resale price."

and I have come to realise it ruins my driving experience. I really enjoy driving, but I enjoy it less because im constantly worrying about KM's.

So my question is, how much value is actually held in a low KM's car/ the mileage of a car? should I just drive when and as I need it and throw KM's to the wind, or when you drive your car do you also consider the KM's you putting on and try avoid it?

 

[Nangi]

Just drive. Worry about that on trade-in. What's the point of buying a car and just keeping it locked up? It loses value whether you drive it or not, so just drive.

Note: Would've been better if you made the comment in your other thread, as its about the same car/purchase.

 

[Bryanr]

The only vehicles it would really affect are exotics and classics. A 35 year old Ferrari with less than 40 000kms for example.

 

[Mr.Jax]

Just drive, I don't think it matters that much nowadays ( IMHO it does matter, but the financial difference is hardly something to care about).

 

[Deago999]

I understand if you have a car with Low KM it is easier to sell. I guess I just worry too much ...

 

[Hamster]

I understand if you have a car with Low KM it is easier to sell. I guess I just worry too much ...

Well that's kinda obvious. Buy a car that is reliable, maintainable and drive it for a long time.

 

[die_koos]

Obviously it depends on the car, but there are a couple of milestones - at least in my mind that will influence the resale price.
1. When reaching the end of the service plan i.e 90 000 km
2) When reaching the end of the Warranty at 100 000 km
3) Also for me every 100 000 km after that has a bit of a psychological effect. 190 000 km sounds a lot better than 201 000 km.

 

[berrypi]

Obviously it depends on the car, but there are a couple of milestones - at least in my mind that will influence the resale price.
1. When reaching the end of the service plan i.e 90 000 km
2) When reaching the end of the Warranty at 100 000 km
3) Also for me every 100 000 km after that has a bit of a psychological effect. 190 000 km sounds a lot better than 201 000 km.

unless its a collectible... then its not worth worrying about mileage.

 

[Deago999]

So the responses are all the same then. Ok ...from here on in I will take no notice of mileage, enjoy the drive more. Thanks all!

 

[UsernameLadiesMan217]

It really depends.

10000 kilometers is more than enough mileage to royally **** up a car if you hit a curb hard/drive like a twat/whatever.

 

[Fuzzbox]

Why is driving a car past 100000 km a problem?
Trucks are good for 1.2 million km.
A friend had a Camry that had done over 470000km without a single problem
Drive the car.
Cars dont fail at 100000 km

 

[Deago999]

Why is driving a car past 100000 km a problem?
Trucks are good for 1.2 million km.
A friend had a Camry that had done over 470000km without a single problem
Drive the car.
Cars dont fail at 100000 km

^^^

Yeah I agree with you 100% - I had a friend who had a old 86' beetle, did 1 000 000km, granted it was a bit rusty and you could see the road moving below your feet but it still chugged on. 25 000km is considered the average a car should put on every year, so for a 5 year old polo thats only done 96000 when it should have done 125 000 is not bad.

 

[Hamster]

Cars dont fail at 100000 km

Except Audi's...

 

[Fox1]

Why is driving a car past 100000 km a problem?
Trucks are good for 1.2 million km.
A friend had a Camry that had done over 470000km without a single problem
Drive the car.
Cars dont fail at 100000 km

That's a Camry. A friend of mine has a second hand Tiguan which had it's engine give up at 110,000km. He owned the car from 60,000km. Turns out the TSI engine costs R60k to repair. Poor guy just upgraded from a Tazz that did 140,000km with no troubles. Point being, even low-mileage vehicles can have their troubles and be wary of the engine technology you are getting into.

 

[Rouxenator]

Don't trade in before a decade / 200,000km else you are losing. Obviously try to keep it as long as possible.

 

[Lager]

Why is driving a car past 100000 km a problem?
Trucks are good for 1.2 million km.
A friend had a Camry that had done over 470000km without a single problem
Drive the car.
Cars dont fail at 100000 km

we had a Honda some years back and it clocked 1000 000km

 

[UsernameLadiesMan217]

Don't trade in before a decade / 200,000km else you are losing. Obviously try to keep it as long as possible.

Eish, whatever you buy next will feel like a hell of an upgrade then.

by that pattern I'll own my second car by the age of 29 - heh at least my premiums will be less.

 

[UsernameLadiesMan217]

Interestingly enough though, I was always told Old Mercs/BMW's are a pain to fix mechanically but I took a taxi home from a club once and it was one of those old BMW's - not sure the model, but it had 470 000 km's on it and I'm sure as hell the taxi driver isn't taking good care of it - so that goes against everything I've been told about old Merc's @_@

 

[Deago999]

Don't trade in before a decade / 200,000km else you are losing. Obviously try to keep it as long as possible.

I was always told 5 years and you trade it in (obviously KM dependent , like you wouldnt trade in a car that you bought with 30 000km on the clock and 5 years later its only on 75 000) but yeah, i was told 5.

 

[Priapus]

I used to worry about how many Kms I put on a car. Now I could;t care less and just drive the dam thing.