The preference of Spaniards when purchasing a car leans mostly towards the second-hand car market. The figures support this choice, since for every new car registered in our country, two used vehicles are sold, which indicates that in addition to being a cheaper option, it is also a solid choice in terms of quality and durability.
One of the aspects that most users take into account when purchasing a used car is the mileage. The number of kilometers traveled is a good thermometer to gauge the level of wear and use that the vehicle has experienced. It is usually a piece of information that, in general, ends up being more decisive than the age of the car in the purchasing decision.
Cars with the highest mileage are usually the cheapest, so buyers are tempted to buy this type of vehicle to avoid having to face a higher outlay. However, this decision carries risks, because many components may be worn and the car could break down at any time.
Being guided only by the number of kilometers accumulated by a car can be a mistake if the odometer has been manipulated. Although this action is an illegal practice, punishable by prison sentences, some scammers resort to it to disguise the true history of the vehicle and thus increase its attractiveness on the second-hand market.
Even so, a car with the original mileage “will always be worth more than a car with an altered odometer,” says Matas Buzelis, automotive expert and head of communication at carVertical. This company, specialized in vehicle history reports, has carried out a study in Spain to find out the average mileage of the vehicle brands that circulate on the roads of our country.
Among the cars manufactured in 2008 and reviewed on carVertical in Spain, Volvo (235,927 km), BMW (225,437 km) and Audi (221,452 km) had the highest average mileage. When talking about 10-year-old vehicles that were manufactured in 2013, the highest mileage belongs to Skoda (186,289 km), followed by Volvo (183,118 km) and BMW (181,453 km).
Among 5-year-old cars, manufactured in 2018, Skoda once again takes first place (128,638 km), followed by Opel (115,688 km) and Volkswagen (108,032 km).
Regarding the cars with the lowest number of kilometers on their odometer, among the cars produced in 2008, Fiat is the one with the lowest mileage: 144,705 km. It is closely followed by Peugeot (150,053 km) and Mazda (160,138 km).
The situation changes in the segment of newer vehicles, produced in 2013, where Nissan takes the lead with 125,573 km after the first 10 years of use. Fiat has an average of 128,518 km on the odometer and Peugeot, 134,189 km.
Mazda has the lowest mileage among cars that left the assembly plant in 2018, at 53,387 km, followed by Nissan (63,906 km) and Toyota (72,610 km), the carVertical report concludes.
According to the research, the presence of three premium brands in the top 3 kilometers traveled among cars over 15 years old is explained by the tendency of their drivers to make long journeys and opt for more equipped vehicles. These drivers prefer cars that require less effort when driving for long hours.
In contrast, the report suggests that, in urban environments, even economy class cars perform their function effectively, highlighting their performance in urban conditions.
