But in practice, things aren't quite so simple.

Let's imagine two cars. The first is a 2018 car with around 300,000 kilometers on the clock, but with a clear history, regular maintenance, and good technical condition. The second is a 2012 car, imported from the US after an accident, with a stated mileage of 150,000-200,000 kilometers.

On paper, the second car has the advantage. But that's where things get interesting.

High mileage isn't always a death sentence.

300,000 kilometers certainly sounds serious. By this point, a car could have required repairs to its suspension, turbocharger, injectors, transmission, cooling system, and other expensive components.

However, if the previous owner maintained the car properly, regularly changing fluids, filters, and worn parts, the car may continue to drive perfectly normally.

Furthermore, high mileage sometimes means that the car's main problems are already known and many parts have been replaced.

Therefore, a car with 300,000 kilometers shouldn't automatically be considered bad.

And what's behind "150,000"?

With American cars, the situation is even more interesting.

A car could have arrived in Ukraine with 150,000-200,000 kilometers on the clock, but that doesn't mean it's technically superior to a car with 300,000.

The main question is what exactly happened to it in the US.

If a car has been in a serious accident, with damage to the body, geometry, structural components, suspension, or electronics, the quality of the restoration becomes far more important than the mileage itself.

A beautifully restored body doesn't necessarily mean the car is mechanically perfect.

Furthermore, it's advisable to check the history of an American car using the VIN: auction photos can show the car's condition before repairs and sometimes explain much more than its beautiful appearance after restoration.

Age also matters.

There's another factor that's often overlooked.

A 2018 car and a 2012 car are six years apart.

A newer car may have more advanced safety systems, multimedia, electronics, engine design, and other technical features.

But a newer car with high mileage isn't automatically a better choice.

For example, 300,000 kilometers driven primarily on the highway and 180,000 kilometers driven in the city place completely different demands on the car.

Therefore, you need to look not only at the odometer, but also at the operating conditions and service history.

What would I choose?

If I had to choose solely between these two options, I wouldn't buy a car just because it has lower mileage.

I'd rather choose a 2018 with 300,000 kilometers if the car has a clear history, confirmed maintenance, and good mechanical condition.

And I'd only consider a 2012 American car with 150,000-200,000 kilometers on it after a full inspection of its history and mechanical condition.

Because a car with a beautiful body repaired after a serious accident can turn out to be much more problematic than a car with high but honest mileage.

Key Takeaway

When buying a used car, it's better to look not just at the odometer number, but at three things:

year + actual mileage + vehicle condition.

And even more importantly, the service history and accident history.

Sometimes a car with 300,000 kilometers (186,000 miles) that's been regularly serviced and repaired is a smarter purchase than a car with "low" mileage but an unknown history after an American accident.

Ultimately, it's better to buy a reliable 300,000-kilometer car than a pretty 180,000-kilometer car with unknown problems.