An oil distributor suggests that you should request certain details before committing to a purchase.

Nick King has sold AMSOIL lubricants all over the country since 1976. Based in Missouri, he and his wife, Norma, run The Car Care Couple on social media. They use social platforms to help folks properly maintain their cars and get the most mileage out of them. This month, Nick posted a tip on how to tell whether buying a high-mileage used car is a smart move, or just throwing money into a bottomless pit.

Purchasing a pre-owned vehicle with 75,000 miles or higher can be a savvy decision…or an expensive error.

"It ultimately comes down to the level of maintenance the car has received," King explains. If the former owners didn’t take care of the vehicle or if it happens to be a lemon, you could be facing a significant hassle. 

Nevertheless, it can often be quite challenging to determine how effectively someone has maintained their vehicle for long-term use. According to the car care specialist, obtaining evidence is essential.

“Always ask for maintenance records before making a purchase”

I was a licensed car salesperson for years, and I tend to agree with King here. If the seller doesn’t have records or refuses to share them, I’d probably recommend walking away and finding another listing with proof of maintenance and repairs.

Certainly! You can have a reliable mechanic take a look at it, but keep in mind that this is merely a momentary glimpse into the vehicle's overall history. If you’re unaware of the frequency of oil and filter changes, it becomes a more challenging decision to make. 

Sellers frequently enhance a car's appearance with a thorough detailing, which means that even a used vehicle looking pristine could be concealing some underlying issues.

My family has bought numerous high-mileage used vehicles that often lack detailed maintenance histories. However, we have a repair shop within the family and years of experience with specific brands and models.

Without a doubt, if I didn’t have access to these resources, I would be searching for pre-owned vehicles known for their reliability and requesting maintenance history before making a purchase.

If you find yourself with a used car that has high mileage, think about transitioning to a premium, high-mileage engine oil.

High-mileage oil helps reduce leaks, minimizes sludge, and reduces oil consumption,” King explains, “It will also slow down wear to better protect your engine and keep it running smoothly for years to come.”

Monitor maintenance activities.

"He captions the post, 'Keeping a notebook, purchasing a maintenance log, or simply creating a document on your computer to track your maintenance history is always a smart move.'"