Signs that a car has over 100,000 miles

Automobiles that have various dents and dings on the body’s exterior probably have over 100,000 miles. Looking for dull scratches, paint chips and/or fading paint on the hood and trunk areas especially is one of the surest signs of a worn car. Scratches in the paint areas on the side mirrors is typical. Rust and […]

Automobiles that have various dents and dings on the body’s exterior probably have over 100,000 miles. Looking for dull scratches, paint chips and/or fading paint on the hood and trunk areas especially is one of the surest signs of a worn car. Scratches in the paint areas on the side mirrors is typical. Rust and corrosion is also another common problem of older cars; some automobiles have typical rust spots that can be found, such as on the quarter panels of the body. Cheap replacement parts such as plastic body filler may be used by owners who have damaged sheet metal. Other exterior problems and signs of a car that has over 100,000 miles include misaligned doors, trunks and hoods.

Interior

A car’s interior depreciates and wears over time, and there are many things to look for if you’re trying to decipher if a car has over 100,000 miles. Seatbelts, especially the one on the driver’s side, probably won’t snap back into position, but the retracting mechanism that pulls the seatbelt up will lag. Seat recliners and adjusters may not work properly because of worn-out parts and constant use. Stains, holes and rips on the seat’s materials are also a sign of an older automobile.

Constant wear on the car’s accessories causes them to quit working after several years, which is a good indication that a car has over 100,000 miles. The radio and/or its buttons, CD or cassette player and windshield wipers are all susceptible to malfunctions after lots of use. Heating and cooling functions and toggle switches may be broken or difficult to move as well.

Engine

Opening up the hood is a good way to tell the age of a car. Belts and hoses that have cracks or chips have probably been in use for longer than they should. Oil spots and stains as well as any other type of liquid deposits on the engine components is not a good sign; in some cases it could be the result of a leak or crack in the car’s radiator. Knocks, misfires and any other unusual noises that can be heard while the car is started when the hood is up are all sure-fire signs that a car has over 100,000 miles.

Performance

Test-driving an automobile is one of the best ways to determine whether a car has over 100,000 miles. Pay attention to the car’s performance when going over speed bumps; if there is excessive bouncing, this is a sign that the suspension hasn’t been replaced for a long time. Listen for any nuances in engine noise when you turn, brake or accelerate. All of these abnormal signs are indicators that a car may be over 100,000 miles old.