Price and 100k miles.
Discussion
I'd say yes. In the UK many consider a car on it's last legs at 100k. Maybe true 30 years ago, but not now really.
I've bought a few decent motors over 170k, namely a Civic Type R and an Alpina B10 V8. Advertised cheap as hell but full service history and one owner. As far as I was concerned, bargain car for me.
I've bought a few decent motors over 170k, namely a Civic Type R and an Alpina B10 V8. Advertised cheap as hell but full service history and one owner. As far as I was concerned, bargain car for me.
Edited by Pebbles167 on Saturday 20th February 07:31
Most of the cars I've bough had over 100k on them and I think it's a myth.
I reckon you see a lot more cars for sale with 80k miles on them than 100k, which suggests that's tipping point where the mileage starts to have a greater psychological effect on the cars value. From there upwards I reckon the drop is pretty linear.
I also suspect that when it comes down to it, the number of people on Pistonheads confidently asserting that they wouldn't be concerned about buying a 100k car greatly outnumber those who actually do it.
I reckon you see a lot more cars for sale with 80k miles on them than 100k, which suggests that's tipping point where the mileage starts to have a greater psychological effect on the cars value. From there upwards I reckon the drop is pretty linear.
I also suspect that when it comes down to it, the number of people on Pistonheads confidently asserting that they wouldn't be concerned about buying a 100k car greatly outnumber those who actually do it.

My experience of cars over 100k (that’s four times round the world) is that they’re more worn and experience more end of life of components outside routine servicing than lower mileage cars, all else being equal.
But that’s not to say low mileage cars are always a better bet or that there aren’t some good higher mileage cars out there. Anything with high miles I’ve ever bought has always needed a good “refresh” though, whatever the history says.
But that’s not to say low mileage cars are always a better bet or that there aren’t some good higher mileage cars out there. Anything with high miles I’ve ever bought has always needed a good “refresh” though, whatever the history says.
randomeddy said:
Does the price change when a car hits 100k miles.
I am well aware that cars today can do the mileage easily, is it some sort of psychological milestone that affects the price.
I dont think it specifically changes when it hits 100K but it does psychologically. Also if people are doing searches they often do max mileage = 100k.I am well aware that cars today can do the mileage easily, is it some sort of psychological milestone that affects the price.
As with any car at any miles, servicing and maintenance history are more important than outright miles on the car.
Edited by Deep Thought on Saturday 20th February 12:37
I'm not sure 100k is actually the benchmark for a price drop. I'd say there isn't much of a change in price until cars are 130k+, and even then if the car has a following it doesn't affect the price much, if at all.
I've bought 2 cars above 150k and they haven't been in any worse condition or in need of more maintenance than cars that have had 90k on the clock.
I've bought 2 cars above 150k and they haven't been in any worse condition or in need of more maintenance than cars that have had 90k on the clock.
TR4man said:
Yes, because the average punter believes that a car will disintegrate once it reached 100k.
It seems to be just a British phenomenon.
Not only British. In many other countries too. On other hand, I think Americans are fine with it. Same in Germany - there is a lot of cars there with 200k miles and more. It seems to be just a British phenomenon.
casualdriver said:
TR4man said:
Yes, because the average punter believes that a car will disintegrate once it reached 100k.
It seems to be just a British phenomenon.
Not only British. In many other countries too. On other hand, I think Americans are fine with it. Same in Germany - there is a lot of cars there with 200k miles and more. It seems to be just a British phenomenon.
Would you not also say the type of roads the cars are driven on also give the general perception of how long they last?
Drive a car on gravel pot holed roads for 100k vs a car sat on super smooth good condition motorways for 100k, one will probably be in dire need of new suspension and the latter not?
What are the roads like in countries where they look at 100k plus miles as fine?
I am of the opinion our UK roads properly batter car suspension unless on the motorway.
Drive a car on gravel pot holed roads for 100k vs a car sat on super smooth good condition motorways for 100k, one will probably be in dire need of new suspension and the latter not?
What are the roads like in countries where they look at 100k plus miles as fine?
I am of the opinion our UK roads properly batter car suspension unless on the motorway.
durbster said:
Most of the cars I've bough had over 100k on them and I think it's a myth.
I reckon you see a lot more cars for sale with 80k miles on them than 100k, which suggests that's tipping point where the mileage starts to have a greater psychological effect on the cars value. From there upwards I reckon the drop is pretty linear.
I also suspect that when it comes down to it, the number of people on Pistonheads confidently asserting that they wouldn't be concerned about buying a 100k car greatly outnumber those who actually do it.
Maybe, but I don't know why! I reckon you see a lot more cars for sale with 80k miles on them than 100k, which suggests that's tipping point where the mileage starts to have a greater psychological effect on the cars value. From there upwards I reckon the drop is pretty linear.
I also suspect that when it comes down to it, the number of people on Pistonheads confidently asserting that they wouldn't be concerned about buying a 100k car greatly outnumber those who actually do it.

I bought a Mercedes 190e on over 100K and replaced it with a C280 that was into 6-figure territory.
More recently I bought a BMW E46 3 Series on 80K that I sold on 103K because I had bought a BMW E91 325i on 131K. I sold that on 139K because I found a 330i on 107K.
It's just a number - condition and history are far more important IMHO.
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