The more miles on the clock, the lower the car’s value. But why?
Read on to find out how mileage affects your car.
Reliability
Mileage is a measure of how much your car has been used. While today’s cars are considerably more durable than their forebears, no component is invincible—and the more a car is used, the faster its components will wear out.
The most visible example of this is the tread on the tyres smoothing out. But inside the vehicle, other parts will also deteriorate over time. Brake pads wear down, parts of the suspension system may start to fail, and engine problems such as oil leaks become more likely as the milometer ticks higher.
Cost of maintenance
Because of the wear and tear that each mile exerts on them, your car’s components will need to be maintained and eventually replaced.
Early on in the vehicle’s lifespan, costs may be limited to routine maintenance like tyre replacements. But as the mileage climbs higher, regular car services become more crucial to make sure the car is in good—and safe—working order.
The need for repairs and complete replacements increases with mileage. The cost of each repair can also rise as time marches on and the car’s more complex systems start to break down.
Overall condition
The general condition of your car will also deteriorate the more you use it. The vehicle’s exterior may lose some of its lustre and pick up dents and scratches from small pieces of debris on the road, while the interior will fade and show visible wear due to the friction of bodies and feet against the seats and floor.
Value
Unsurprisingly, all of these factors combine to make your car worth less the further it has travelled. As mileage goes up and maintenance becomes more costly and complicated, the car’s resale value decreases.
While different makes and models depreciate at different rates, a car with a lot of miles on the clock will generally be worth significantly less than a car of the same model with a lower mileage (all other factors being equal).
How many miles can a car last?
The good news is that cars are lasting longer than ever. This is largely thanks to improvements in design, durability and safety features.
There was a time when your average car might have been expected to last no more than 150,000 miles (approximately 8 years), but that number is now in the range of 200,000 miles!
This correlates with 2021 data showing that scrapped cars have an average age of 16 years.
Scrapping your car when it comes to the end of its lifespan is a practically effortless way to get rid of your old vehicle AND get paid for it, without the time and hassle of dealing with the resale market.
If your car has racked up a fair old mileage and you suspect that it’s now coming to the end of its life, why not sell it for scrap?
Scrap Your Car: Get a Quote Now!
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