A car with over 150,000 km on the clock can be a better buy than a three-year-old vehicle with a suspiciously low mileage. We'll show you what to look out for so you can spot the difference.

Lots of buyers automatically rule out cars with over 150,000 km on the clock, without looking at what really matters – how well the previous owner looked after the car. Yet a well-serviced high-mileage car is often more reliable than a neglected one with a lower reading. The key is knowing what to check on high-mileage cars.

Service history speaks louder than the number on the odometer

A complete service book with regular intervals tells you far more than the mileage alone. What matters is whether the timing belt, fluids and filters were changed according to the manufacturer's schedule, or only sporadically. For every car that passes through our workshop, we check this information and factor it into the overall condition assessment.

Engine and gearbox: what to listen for on a test drive

During a test drive, pay attention to how the engine runs at idle, how smoothly it shifts gears, and any vibrations under acceleration. Diesel engines with high mileage, such as the Octavia 2.0 TDI with 216,975 km, can easily cope with over 300,000 km if properly maintained. Turbocharged petrol units, such as the 1.0 TSI in the Škoda Scala, need their oil consumption monitored between changes.

Cebia and checking for odometer tampering

For high-mileage cars, checking the history through Cebia is even more important than usual – it gives you confidence that the mileage stated matches reality and that the car's history hasn't been interrupted. Every car in our range goes through this check, so you don't have to rely solely on the figure shown on the dashboard.

The price reflects the condition, not just the year of manufacture

A car with higher mileage naturally costs less, which can work in your favour if you plan to keep driving it and want to save on the initial outlay. One example is the Ford Focus 1.5 TDCi from 2023 with 178,860 km for 253,000 Kč, or the older Fabia 1.2i at 33,000 Kč, which makes a cheap second car for the family.

Commercial vehicles and high mileage go hand in hand

For vans and commercial vehicles, high mileage is standard practice, since they're used daily and intensively. A Renault Master 2.3 dCi with over 100.000 km on the clock and one owner is a typical example of a vehicle whose mileage reflects its intended use, not a lack of care.

What to ask the dealer before buying

Always ask why the car has the mileage it does – whether it's a company car that mostly did motorway miles, or a vehicle from city driving with hundreds of starts a day. The type of use affects wear far more than the number itself. With us, we're always happy to explain each car's history and advise whether it suits the way you drive.