How many miles should a pre-owned car have done?

Before buying a used vehicle, one of the most common (and most logical) questions to ask is, ‘how many miles should a pre-owned car have done?’ In the case of brand new or lightly used vehicles (without being considered second-hand), we have the clearest answer. And in this case?

A pre-owned car is the intermediate alternative between a new car that has just left the dealership and a traditional used car. At OK Mobility, they are vehicles that come directly from our rental fleet, with less than one year of use and less than 30,000 kilometres (≈20,000 miles) on the clock. In addition, they have been professionally maintained and serviced, and come with a 3-year premium warranty. 

With this option, you can benefit from the economic savings compared to a new car and the peace of mind of driving a practically brand new vehicle. Now, what’s the appropriate mileage for a pre-owned car? What is the limit?

Appropriate mileage for a pre-owned car

Generally speaking, a pre-owned car has usually done less than 30,000 kilometres (≈20,000 miles) and is less than two years old. How do these numbers add up? Because driving a pre-owned car with this mileage means that it has not suffered significant wear and tear on the engine, brakes, suspension or tyres. Moreover, the car maintains its optimum performance virtually intact. 

In fact, according to manufacturers, the average service life of today's vehicles is well in excess of 200,000 kilometres (125,000 miles) when they are well maintained. Therefore, by buying a pre-owned car that has done 20,000 or 25,000 miles you will be able to enjoy up to 90% of that remaining useful life, while paying much less than you would for a new one.

The most interesting part is that the vehicle is almost new, but costs 40% less.

Why mileage is important when valuing a pre-owned vehicle

At first glance, mileage is one of the few indicators of what a car has been through that we don't know about. At OK Mobility, this data is accompanied by a complete maintenance history, as all the vehicles in the fleet are serviced in our own garages, according to the manufacturer's standards and schedules.

This means that worn parts can be detected and replaced in good time. As a result, two cars with the same mileage can be in very different conditions depending on how they have been maintained.

In addition, it must be taken into account that urban and interurban use means different levels of wear and tear. Cars in rental fleets usually cover medium to long distances, so they are more respectful of the car’s mechanics. On the other hand, a private vehicle could have travelled fewer miles, but may have spent more time sat at traffic lights and in traffic jams. 

Advantages of buying a pre-owned car with less than 30,000 kilometres (≈20,000 miles) on the clock

Opting for a pre-owned car with less than 30,000 kilometres (≈20,000 miles) has many other advantages compared to a new or second-hand car. These are the main ones:

• Savings: A vehicle fresh from the dealership depreciates up to 30% during its first year of life. On the other hand, a pre-owned car with low mileage has already gone through that first phase of depreciation, so you can save up to 40% over the factory price.
• Impeccable condition: With less than 30,000 kilometres (≈20,000 miles) and good maintenance, the car has hardly suffered any wear and tear. It is practically new, but at a lower price.
• Guaranteed history: OK Mobility's pre-owned cars come with a 300-point inspection certificate, verified mileage and up to 3 years’ warranty. In other words, absolute transparency and zero risk.
• Immediate delivery: A new car can take several weeks (or months) to arrive. A pre-owned one, on the other hand, is usually available immediately and can even be delivered to your home through a home delivery service.
• Flexibility: You can test drive the pre-owned vehicle for 15 days or 1,000 kilometres (≈600 miles) and return it if you are not satisfied. In addition, there’s no down payment and flexible financing options. 

How to get it right when buying a pre-owned car

A pre-owned car with less than 30,000 kilometres (≈20,000 miles) is a good guarantee, but we tell you what you should take into account to make the right decision:

• Verify the actual mileage: At OK Mobility, all cars have their mileage certified to avoid fraud.
• Check the maintenance: Always check the maintenance history and make sure everything is up to date.
• Check the warranty: A pre-owned car should offer you the same peace of mind as a new one. In this case, the premium warranty of up to 3 years provides a lot of confidence.
• Take into account what you are going to use it for: If you drive a lot every year, a pre-owned car with 20,000 kilometres (≈12,000 miles) will have a very long useful life. In addition, you can access higher-end features at the price of a standard version.

Are you convinced? At OK Mobility we have a wide range of pre-owned cars with very low mileage that are practically brand new. It's as easy as choosing the one for you, comparing models, completing the online process or requesting assistance if you need it, and it'll be ready in a few days. We look forward to hearing from you!