Mileage and history: buying used wisely

When buying a used vehicle, mileage and service history are key indicators to assess the real condition of the vehicle. Here are the points to check.

Mileage

The odometer shows total mileage. Check consistency with the vehicle's age (on average 15,000–25,000 miles/year depending on use). A large gap (very low or very high mileage for age) can be legitimate (second car, long commute) or suspicious. Odometer tampering: illegal; checks (history, steering wheel/pedal wear, part condition) can give clues. Mileage history (service book, recalls, state inspection) helps cross-check data.

Service history

Ask for the service book (or receipts): oil changes, services, timing belt, brakes, tires. Regular and manufacturer-compliant maintenance is a good sign. Recalls: check if any outstanding recalls exist (NHTSA website, VIN lookup). State inspection: date and result (advisory items, fails, re-test).

Warranties and checks

When buying from a dealer, legal warranties apply (implied warranty, lemon law protections). Read the contract and exclusions. Vehicle history report (Carfax, AutoCheck): can reveal accidents, ownership changes, title issues and inconsistencies. A test drive and independent inspection are strongly recommended before signing.

Summary

Cross-check mileage, service book, inspection records and vehicle history to get a clear picture of the vehicle's condition. My Auto Check-up can help you analyze the symptoms of a used car before or after purchase to anticipate repairs.