Used cars with low mileage possible?

[Pss2]

I have seen cars which has 2 or more owners, 8 years or older in the used car market with mileage of less than 100,000km mark. Do you personally think that this is possible based on most Singaporean driving habits? I don't drive much except to and fro work and average about 1600km per month. I might believe that the car has low mileage if it is sold by direct owner and he is the one and only owner. My father scrap his 10 year old car recently and his is one and only owner, clocked about 56,000km when scrapped. With the lemon law in place, I wonder if any dealers still resort in "rewinding" the clock back to a lesser number to attract potential victims.

[alphard96]

I have seen cars which has 2 or more owners, 8 years or older in the used car market with mileage of less than 100,000km mark. Do you personally think that this is possible based on most Singaporean driving habits? I don't drive much except to and fro work and average about 1600km per month. I might believe that the car has low mileage if it is sold by direct owner and he is the one and only owner. My father scrap his 10 year old car recently and his is one and only owner, clocked about 56,000km when scrapped. With the lemon law in place, I wonder if any dealers still resort in "rewinding" the clock back to a lesser number to attract potential victims.

If I'm not mistaken, read somewhere that

1) average SG cars = 20 000km per year

2) some car dealers do tamper with odometer reading

3) this tampering can easily be done even for electronic/digital meter

 

For underused cars, usually its a "spare" cars, 3rd vehicle or exotic/niche vehicles where the owner have 1 or 2 other cars for his/her daily usage. I have seen a 3 yr old merc that has travelled 180 000km.

 

For an 8 yr old car, likely should be 160 000km.

 

So be very careful, be suspicious, before commiting on a used car based on mileage.

[Benarsenal]

I think it's possible.

 

"Clocking" (rewinding the odometer) does happen, but it's also entirely possible for cars to have low mileage as well. There are actually people who don't drive much for whatever reason, so we cannot assume too much.

 

Ownself see ownself decide lor. The condition and mileage should at least tally. Those who don't drive much their cars usually quite well maintained.

[Darryn]

If I'm not mistaken, read somewhere that

1) average SG cars = 20 000km per year

2) some car dealers do tamper with odometer reading

3) this tampering can easily be done even for electronic/digital meter

 

For underused cars, usually its a "spare" cars, 3rd vehicle or exotic/niche vehicles where the owner have 1 or 2 other cars for his/her daily usage. I have seen a 3 yr old merc that has travelled 180 000km.

 

For an 8 yr old car, likely should be 160 000km.

 

So be very careful, be suspicious, before commiting on a used car based on mileage.

Rewinding of the odo is basically "endemic" in Singapore - I know of private sales that have also rewound -

 

Personally - a two owner car I think you can pretty much guarantee that the odo is not accurate

 

And the govt doesn't care

[Fastfive1]

No point bothering if the car's mileage is accurate or not. I used to care about it like crazy but now I'm rather nonchalant about it. Basically whether or not the car is in good shape should be your main goal if you intend to get a car around 8 years old.

 

Just do the necessary checks on the car just before you get it.

 

Most cars can last a few hundred thousand with not much issue. My old W124 could easily last more 350k km without being overhauled when I scrapped it.

 

Take the mileage readings with a pinch of salt when you get a used car.

[Kangadrool]

unfortunately, not every car is a W124.

No point bothering if the car's mileage is accurate or not. I used to care about it like crazy but now I'm rather nonchalant about it. Basically whether or not the car is in good shape should be your main goal if you intend to get a car around 8 years old.

 

Just do the necessary checks on the car just before you get it.

 

Most cars can last a few hundred thousand with not much issue. My old W124 could easily last more 350k km without being overhauled when I scrapped it.

 

Take the mileage readings with a pinch of salt when you get a used car.

 

[gasman]

Rewinding of the odo is basically "endemic" in Singapore - I know of private sales that have also rewound -

 

Personally - a two owner car I think you can pretty much guarantee that the odo is not accurate

 

And the govt doesn't care

 

 

SVTA honorary secretary, Raymond Tang still has no comments on the unscrupulous methods (odo tampering as a prime example) employed by his charges in the used car business. He's aware of this malpractice but he will say if got evidence then bring it forward.

Other than that, used cars buyers please be cautious when buying a car that is too good to be true.

[Pss2]

The authorities should put their hands into this issue. They can do it easily since cars went back to distributor or inspection centre for servicing or inspection and a proper record should be done. I don't mind to have buy a car that is 350,000km (if I really like that car if it is rare) but I just don't feel good for being cheated. We can also estimate ourselves when to change engine mountings, life span of many parts if the mileage is true, of course depending on actual condition of the car.

[KaKiLang]

Driving in reverse at times, plus and minus.

[Airwaver]

I have seen cars which has 2 or more owners, 8 years or older in the used car market with mileage of less than 100,000km mark. Do you personally think that this is possible based on most Singaporean driving habits? I don't drive much except to and fro work and average about 1600km per month. I might believe that the car has low mileage if it is sold by direct owner and he is the one and only owner. My father scrap his 10 year old car recently and his is one and only owner, clocked about 56,000km when scrapped. With the lemon law in place, I wonder if any dealers still resort in "rewinding" the clock back to a lesser number to attract potential victims.

 

When there's no proper paperwork recorded on the odometer during transaction, reseller can always push the blame on previous seller.

 

Driving in reverse at times, plus and minus.

You can reverse in terms of km?

[ER-3682]

My 2nd car,now 5 years 2 months,just travelled 27,000km...this is even more than the car i replaced in 2009,9 years just 37,000km..[Rover75].

[Fastfive1]

The authorities should put their hands into this issue. They can do it easily since cars went back to distributor or inspection centre for servicing or inspection and a proper record should be done. I don't mind to have buy a car that is 350,000km (if I really like that car if it is rare) but I just don't feel good for being cheated. We can also estimate ourselves when to change engine mountings, life span of many parts if the mileage is true, of course depending on actual condition of the car.

 

After the warranty period, most people don't go back to the agent as the servicing is way too expensive. You sure you wanna pay over a hundred bucks for an oil change when you can get it done by a workshop outside for 70-80 bucks? Not me! If I could, I would even change the oil myself so I don't have to pay labour but I don't have jack stands. If the car is 2 years old, chances of them altering the mileage is slim. Unless you're looking at getting a 2 year old car, then expect some tampering here and there.

 

The authorities won't bother simply cos it's difficult to enforce.

 

You should just treat the mileage as inaccurate and look for common wear and tear problems. Normally a car that old will need new engine mounts, suspension and brakes and tires, depending on whether the previous owner did anything. If you feel that something needs to be replaced, tell the dealer up front and see if he decides to offer you a reduction in price. What's most important is the condition of the engine and transmission. The dealer usually just tops up a bit of engine oil if it's low, polishes the car and cleans the engine bay (cleaning is fine but waxing the plastic parts inside is just stupid as it traps a lot of dirt after driving the car for a week). So you probably won't know how the car was like when it came in.

[Pisces69]

If I'm not mistaken, read somewhere that

1) average SG cars = 20 000km per year

2) some car dealers do tamper with odometer reading

3) this tampering can easily be done even for electronic/digital meter

 

For underused cars, usually its a "spare" cars, 3rd vehicle or exotic/niche vehicles where the owner have 1 or 2 other cars for his/her daily usage. I have seen a 3 yr old merc that has travelled 180 000km.

 

For an 8 yr old car, likely should be 160 000km.

 

So be very careful, be suspicious, before commiting on a used car based on mileage.

 

 

Last time old odometer need to dismantle to wind back the mileage.

 

Now digital type even easier. just plug in a lap top n in 10 mins its done.

 

Its now very common for 2nd hand dealers to wind back the mileage of high mileage cars so they buy cheap n sell high.

[Pisces69]

 

After the warranty period, most people don't go back to the agent as the servicing is way too expensive. You sure you wanna pay over a hundred bucks for an oil change when you can get it done by a workshop outside for 70-80 bucks? Not me! If I could, I would even change the oil myself so I don't have to pay labour but I don't have jack stands. If the car is 2 years old, chances of them altering the mileage is slim. Unless you're looking at getting a 2 year old car, then expect some tampering here and there.

 

The authorities won't bother simply cos it's difficult to enforce.

 

You should just treat the mileage as inaccurate and look for common wear and tear problems. Normally a car that old will need new engine mounts, suspension and brakes and tires, depending on whether the previous owner did anything. If you feel that something needs to be replaced, tell the dealer up front and see if he decides to offer you a reduction in price. What's most important is the condition of the engine and transmission. The dealer usually just tops up a bit of engine oil if it's low, polishes the car and cleans the engine bay (cleaning is fine but waxing the plastic parts inside is just stupid as it traps a lot of dirt after driving the car for a week). So you probably won't know how the car was like when it came in.

 

 

Most important is to check the timing belt n change it with e water pump if it looks worn.

[Pisces69]

 

When there's no proper paperwork recorded on the odometer during transaction, reseller can always push the blame on previous seller.

 

You can reverse in terms of km?

 

 

He just might b Mr. Bean posting here?

 

Hahahahaha.

[2BDriver]

And the govt doesn't care

Lost Aljunied GRC already , so busy :angry: fixing these 6 more fellows, your mentioned tiny issue have to wait a while

[BabyBlade]

I have seen cars which has 2 or more owners, 8 years or older in the used car market with mileage of less than 100,000km mark. Do you personally think that this is possible based on most Singaporean driving habits? I don't drive much except to and fro work and average about 1600km per month. I might believe that the car has low mileage if it is sold by direct owner and he is the one and only owner. My father scrap his 10 year old car recently and his is one and only owner, clocked about 56,000km when scrapped. With the lemon law in place, I wonder if any dealers still resort in "rewinding" the clock back to a lesser number to attract potential victims.

 

Try not to start a topic with "What do you think?". It's hard for users especially newbies to search through the forum when topic titles are not clear enough, and we'll end up with many threads of similar content but misleading titles.

[Pss2]

 

Try not to start a topic with "What do you think?". It's hard for users especially newbies to search through the forum when topic titles are not clear enough, and we'll end up with many threads of similar content but misleading titles.

 

Oh sorry, not frequently start a thread here so just use any title. Your amended title sounds much more appropriate now. Thanks.