Varying factors come into play when buying a pre-owned BMW vehicle. Among the variables are age and mileage. The team at BMW of Catonsville reviews the influence of each factor, and how they can help inform your car buying decision.
Older Car with Low Mileage
Generally, a 10-year-old car with 50,000 miles can be in better shape than a five-year-old vehicle with 100,000 miles. This is because the former hasn’t undergone as much physical wear and tear. However, there are gray areas. Cars that are seldom driven can still incur wear by sitting in the garage for long periods. Parts like the battery, muffler, and timing belt can wear due to environmental exposure.
Younger Car with High Mileage
Cars with a high odometer reading have undergone more wear to vital parts like the engine, transmission, and brakes, even if it’s still a fairly recent model year. However, vehicle parts nowadays can withstand more daily use compared to their counterparts from decades past. In fact, it’s not uncommon for modern vehicles to reach upwards of 200,000 miles and remain reliable. This is provided the vehicle receives timely and scheduled maintenance.
Which One Should I Choose?
In general, mileage will tell you more about the quality and remaining lifespan of a vehicle. Age, however, is still an important consideration, because it can indicate how updated the features are in the car. If you’re looking for modern technology amenities, you may want to purchase a more recent model year.
Whether you aim for older age or higher mileage, always examine the vehicle’s history report. Are there gaps in maintenance? Has it been in a collision? Have vital parts been replaced with OEM BMW parts? Always look at the big picture when examining a pre-owned vehicle.
See Our Pre-Owned BMW Inventory in Baltimore, MD
Our dealers at BMW of Catonsville can give you the details of any pre-owned car that interests you, from its age to maintenance history. Schedule a test drive to explore its reliability and how it handles.