Mileage vs. Condition: What Really Matters When Buying Used?
The Central Question of Used Car Buying
A BMW E38 with 250,000 km and complete service history or an example with 120,000 km without documentation? This decision symbolizes one of the most important questions when buying a used car.
The Data: What Our Analysis Shows
Price Correlation by Vehicle Age
| Vehicle Age | Mileage-Price Correlation | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 5-10 years | -0.82 | Mileage very relevant |
| 10-15 years | -0.65 | Mileage important |
| 15-20 years | -0.48 | Condition gains |
| 20+ years | -0.35 | Condition dominates |
Insight: The older the vehicle, the less mileage matters.
Concrete Market Examples
BMW E38 7 Series (1994-2001)
| Mileage | No Service Book | With Service Book | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100,000 km | EUR 14,500 | EUR 18,500 | +28% |
| 150,000 km | EUR 12,000 | EUR 16,000 | +33% |
| 200,000 km | EUR 9,500 | EUR 14,000 | +47% |
| 250,000 km | EUR 7,000 | EUR 12,500 | +79% |
E38 Conclusion: At high mileage, documented condition is the decisive value driver.
Mercedes W124 (1984-1997)
| Mileage | Average Condition | Top Condition | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150,000 km | EUR 8,500 | EUR 14,000 | +65% |
| 200,000 km | EUR 7,000 | EUR 12,000 | +71% |
| 300,000 km | EUR 4,500 | EUR 10,500 | +133% |
W124 Conclusion: For this classic, condition is almost the sole deciding factor.
Why Condition Becomes More Important
1. Material Fatigue vs. Mileage
| Component | Wear from km | Wear from Age |
|---|---|---|
| Engine internals | High | Medium |
| Seals | Medium | High |
| Rubber/Plastic | Low | High |
| Electronics | Low | High |
| Paint/Body | Low | Medium-High |
Many aging damages occur regardless of mileage.
2. Care Beats Low Usage
A regularly driven vehicle often stays in better condition than “garage gold” with low mileage:
Problems with Stored Vehicles:
- Hardened seals and hoses
- Corrosion in brake system and tank
- Tire flat spots
- A/C compressor without lubrication
- Battery problems
3. The Service Book Reality
| Service Book Status | Average Price Premium |
|---|---|
| Complete from dealer | +25-35% |
| Complete independent shop | +15-25% |
| Partially available | +5-10% |
| Not available | Reference |
Finding the Right Balance
Decision Matrix
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Daily driver (5-15 years) | Prefer lower mileage |
| Youngtimer (15-25 years) | Condition before mileage |
| Classic (25+ years) | Condition + history decisive |
| Investment/Collection | Only top condition + documentation |
Optimal Mileage by Model
| Model | Optimal Mileage Range | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| BMW E46 | 100,000-180,000 km | Teething problems solved |
| BMW E38 | 120,000-200,000 km | Well broken in, still durable |
| Mercedes W140 | 150,000-250,000 km | ”Break-in” for these engines |
| Mercedes W124 | Irrelevant with good condition | Legendary durability |
| Audi B5 | 100,000-160,000 km | Watch turbo wear |
Checklist: Evaluating Condition Properly
Documentation (40% of Evaluation)
- Service book available?
- Invoices from last 5 years?
- Past inspection reports?
- Previous owner information?
- Original keys complete?
Mechanicals (30% of Evaluation)
- Engine: Noises, oil consumption, power
- Transmission: Shifting, noises
- Suspension: Clunking, play, noises
- Brakes: Effectiveness, evenness
- Steering: Play, noises, feedback
Body (20% of Evaluation)
- Rust: Sills, wheel arches, underbody
- Paint: Original, resprays?
- Panel gaps: Even?
- Accident damage: Visible/hidden?
Interior (10% of Evaluation)
- Seats: Wear, tears, function
- Dashboard: Cracks, rattles
- Electronics: Test all functions
- Smell: Moisture, mold?
Case Studies from Practice
Case 1: Mercedes W140 S500
Option A: 95,000 km, no service book, EUR 14,000 Option B: 210,000 km, complete MB service book, EUR 16,000
Analysis:
- Option A: Unknown history, possible storage damage
- Option B: Documented maintenance, known weak points addressed
Recommendation: Option B - despite double the mileage, the better choice.
Case 2: BMW E46 330i
Option A: 85,000 km, first owner, garage kept, EUR 12,000 Option B: 165,000 km, 3 owners, partial service book, EUR 8,500
Analysis:
- Option A: Low mileage doesn’t guarantee good condition, but likely
- Option B: Higher mileage means more wear, but known costs
Recommendation: Option A - with newer vehicles, mileage still matters more.
Case 3: Audi B5 S4
Option A: 120,000 km, original turbo status unclear, EUR 7,500 Option B: 185,000 km, turbos replaced at 150,000 km, EUR 8,000
Analysis:
- Option A: Turbo wear is main cost factor, condition unclear
- Option B: Known, recently replaced wear items
Recommendation: Option B - documented repairs are gold with turbo engines.
When Low Mileage is Decisive
Buy by Mileage for:
- Vehicles under 10 years - Modern technology ages slower
- Diesel engines - Particulate filter, injectors mileage-dependent
- Automatic transmissions - Oil change intervals decisive
- High-performance vehicles - M3, AMG, RS models
Condition Before Mileage for:
- Youngtimers (15+ years) - Age overtakes mileage
- Classics - Restoration condition counts
- Collector pieces - Originality and history
- Daily classics - W124, E30, 190E
The Optimal Used Car
The Ideal Profile
| Criterion | Optimal |
|---|---|
| Mileage | 10,000-15,000 km/year |
| Previous owners | 1-2 (long-term ownership) |
| Service book | Complete, ideally brand dealer |
| Usage | Regular, mixed (city/highway) |
| Storage | Garage or carport |
| Driving style | No short trips, no extremes |
Warning Signs
| Warning Sign | Possible Meaning |
|---|---|
| Extremely low mileage | Storage damage, tampered? |
| Many short trips | Engine wear, oil sludge |
| Dealer history | Frequent ownership changes |
| Missing invoices | Unknown maintenance history |
| ”Grandma car” | Often short trips, little care |
Conclusion: The Truth is in the Details
The answer to “Mileage or condition?” is nuanced:
For newer vehicles (< 15 years):
- Mileage is more important
- But: Service book remains decisive
For older vehicles (> 15 years):
- Condition beats mileage
- Documentation is the key to value
Universal Truth:
A well-maintained vehicle with 200,000 km is ALWAYS better than a neglected one with 100,000 km.
Invest time in research, examine documents carefully, and don’t be blinded by low mileage. The true value lies in the story a vehicle can tell - and in the documents that prove it.
Based on our analysis of over 2,000 vehicles. As of: September 15, 2025