Hi all, I’m looking for a car for my wife and two kids to be used locally, for school pickups, groceries etc.
I found a Kia Cerato 2017 with 200,000 km selling with a roadworthy for $10k, I negotiated down from $12.5k.
I don’t know much about cars and thinking of organising a car inspection, but I thought I’ll ask here due to the high km.
Thank you.
A PPSR check, or Personal Property Securities Register check . As recommended by the oligarchy on this platform ⁉️
Get an inspection but one thing to note with used cars, regardless of age or kilometers travelled, how the car has been looked after matters more than how many kms it’s done. I’d rather buy a car with 200k on the clock that’s been meticulously ”looked after, than one with 50k that’s only been serviced once
I cant see its condition, but if it looks like it has been looked after, then id be less concerned by relatively high kms.
If its coming from a dealer, find something else. Its likely been offloaded by someone for a reason.
Does it need a major service, or has it been done? Things like timing belt change can cost an arm and a leg.
If it's a country car with good service history then I would buy it any day of the week over a city car with 100k + kms.
Is this the car in question?
I have personally found that age has a far greater impact on a vehicle than km's.. to a point…
I would suggest that this vehicle would like be better than a vehicle 5 years older with half the km's.
Buy a Tesla.
I thought you were scared of EVs?
Only when they catch fire…
So basically never?
I don't really have an issue with a High Km Kia Cerato 2017 but $10k is too much.
I was thinking the same
A well cared for Cerato is OK.
That mileage is averaging 25-30,000km per year which is more than double the national average, so whoever has owned it has driven it hard. At that mileage, maybe they are deeply committed to servicing and oil changes to keep it on the road, which is a plus, BUT if they are that committed to servicing the car perfectly, they probably know something about it which is why its up for sale…
You must insist on a full log book with dealership services on time every time. If not, walk away.
A string of short owners - walk away.
Definitely definitely get a pre-purchase inspection - a qualified mechanic knows 100x more than you, and is also a neutral party so not likely to overlook any flaws because of an emotional commitment to the car. However, not all pre purchase inspections are equal. Look around at reviews for pre purchase inspections, find one with lots of 5* reviews, perhaps a mobile mechanic.
Ceratos can manage high kms… but their pre 2018 engines also have a habit of blowing up! Watch the Redriven review of a used Kia Cerato on youtube which will tell you all the risks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OaZmRdMkGY
With a used car you've always got to ask yourself, why is the person selling it? Be sceptical. If it was working perfectly, they would keep it wouldn't they? They've owned it, they know its quirks, they know what their mechanic told them at the last service and what costs they are going to face next time… so they know something you don't. They've decided it's time to let that car go and get a newer one.
Of course, families upsize, pensioners downsize, people move away… there are many legit reasons to sell a car. But if you're not seeing those clear signs of a good reason, then assume they are selling it because it's no longer fit for their purpose.
So ultimately, know your place in the food chain here - if you are only able to afford a $10k car, that's fine. Shop around, get quotes, get prepurchase inspections, choose a reliable make/model (Cerato is ok here, above average maybe), and you might be blessed with a perfectly good car that will last another decade.
Thank you so much, I’ll skip this car, don’t have time for headache, might hunt for an i30 with lower km.
My ex has a 2016 Cerato. It cost $18k DA brand new so I think $10k for that mileage is a bit rich. You'd wonder what it's been used for as the average driver does 14k km/yr.
It would want an absolutely faultless service history. If they are neglected the motors can poop the bed quite readily.
Definitely get an inspection. If you are in VIC, something like an RACV inspections.
Do you also know much history about the vehicle? Highway kms or City kms?
What model of Kia Cerato as there are many and have different engines?