Much like buying a regular car, one of the things you need to consider when buying a UTV is the mileage it has racked upon it, as this can sometimes dictate how reliable the UTV will be for you and will also help you gauge whether you’re getting a good deal.
However, unless you’re a seasoned UTV driver or have experience with these sorts of vehicles, it can be difficult to know what is considered high mileage for a UTV and what mileage level should deter you from buying a particular unit.
This article will help guide you to understand what is considered high mileage for a UTV and how it can affect the unit, and how to prolong your UTV even if it does have high mileage.
5,000 is considered to be the average number for high mileage for a UTV, but it’s not uncommon to find UTVs that have racked up over 6,000 miles on the clock as well. In reality, high mileage will depend on the model of the UTV, its maintenance history, and also how the driver has ridden it and in what environment.
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How Does Mileage Affect An UTV?
Ultimately, higher mileage on a UTV should bring the cost down as it’ll be nearer towards the end of its lifespan and will need to complete an engine overhaul to be able to extend its life, which will cost a lot of money.
Higher mileage will mean that the engine components and other parts of the UTV have been heavily used over time and will encounter more wear, tear, and potential problems.
However, this doesn’t mean that higher mileage UTVs should not be considered whatsoever, as thorough maintenance and servicing throughout the UTVs life can keep it in working order for years to come.
Mileage isn’t the only thing to be considered when buying a UTV, as you’ll also have to look into how and where the unit was used. A UTV used for general work on a farm will be in a lot better condition than one used for recreational purposes on trails, as uneven and rough terrain can take its toll on the body and the engine of the unit.
Should You Buy A New Or Used UTV?
From the information above, you’d probably assume that buying a brand new UTV would be the best option, but in fact, it’s not always recommended, especially if you intend to sell your UTV in the future.
Brand new UTVs quickly lose their value within the first few years of owning it, with some losing up to 40% of their value within the first 2 years.
This means if you buy a UTV for $10,000 by the end of 2 years of having it, it could be worth $6,000, and that’s without taking into consideration if you’ve racked up a lot of mileage already, and it’s acquired some dents and scratches.
If you don’t intend to sell your UTV in the future, this won’t be something you’ll have to worry about, but if you were, you would want to consider this factor before deciding whether a new or used one is better for you.
Our recommended option would be to buy a UTV that’s around 2 to 3 years old that has acquired minimum mileage and hours on the clock, as it will have already depreciated a fair bit, and you’ll be more likely to get more value for money.
When buying a used UTV, you should always enquire about its usage, i.e., how it was used? Was it for recreational use (despite not being recommended), or was it used on a working farm to help transport farm materials?
Ask about the mileage, how long they’ve had the unit for and how well it runs at the moment.
It would be best to visit the unit in person to get a good idea of its condition. If you’re not clued up on these sorts of vehicles, then it would be recommended to bring along a friend who’s a mechanic or knows a thing or two about UTVs/ATVs as they’ll be able to spot any key issues.
A used UTV that’s been used for recreational use on dirt trails and has a lot of mileage will not be a reliable choice as it will have endured plenty of wear and tear.
Even though a unit like this may only set you back $5,000 and look like a steal from the outset, it could easily break down on you within the first few months and therefore require you hundreds if not thousands in maintenance fees.
UTV companies online and dealerships will try to get away with selling used models with high mileage for the same price as a brand new model with no mileage, so try to do some research and figure out exactly what your money can get you.
Sometimes buying from a private seller is better as they’ll be more realistic with their prices and may often be open to negotiation.
Buying a newer UTV with more mileage is better than buying an older model with less mileage, this is because the parts will deteriorate over time regardless of the mileage of the unit and often, UTVs that have more mileage have been used more and therefore lubricated the parts which help them to last longer.
How Long Will A UTV Last?
There is no real answer to this, as UTV will last as long as it’s carefully maintained and well looked after.
We’ve come across people who’ve bought brand new UTVS, not acquired much mileage but still manage to pound the unit to a point where it’s beyond use or will need extensive repairs that will cost more than the value of the vehicle.
However, there are also people out there who’ve had their UTVs for over 10 years, built up a decent number of miles, ride their unit appropriately, and carry out regular maintenance to upkeep the components within the UTV to keep it in working condition.
How To Make Your UTV Last Longer?
The key to making your UTV last as long as possible is maintenance; there is no other way to go about it.
- Make sure you’re checking and changing the oil and oil filter regularly (preferably before every time you go out and ride).
- Don’t overload your UTV when trying to drive it, this means piling more than the recommended people into the seats or even piling on materials on equipment that go over the maximum load capacity. This will cause your engine to have to work harder than usual and can quickly cause more wear and tear.
- Check the air filter before every ride and aim to replace it every 500 miles you do (this can vary depending on how heavy you use the vehicle)
- Don’t cheap out on fuel. Using high-quality fuel may cost more but it’ll keep your engine in top condition.
- Check and refresh the coolant frequently as this will help to extend your engine’s life and allow you to get more mileage
If your UTV isn’t running at the optimum level, then you can buy upgrade kits for certain manufacturers such as Polaris, which will help revive your engine to run like it’s brand new again. However, you won’t be able to install the upgrade kit yourself, and it’ll need to be done at the dealership by a mechanic.
There may come a point where your UTV engine needs to go through a complete overhaul to help extend the life of the unit.
Some signs that your UTVs engine needs rebuilding is that your unit is frequently hard starting, black smoke is being emitted when the engine is running or when it has stopped, or it’s gone through extensive use on rough terrain for an extended period with minimal maintenance.
Go to a local dealer or trusted mechanic to get a quote for the job and work out whether it’ll be worth it. Sometimes it’s better to throw in the towel and admit defeat as the UTVs value may not be enough to spend that much on an engine rebuild.
Concluding Thoughts
So there you have it, if you are considering buying a used UTV, then not only will you want to look out for the current mileage on the unit, but also ask about in what environment was it used and how the driver has ridden it but also how much maintenance and servicing it’s undergone in its journey so far.
5,000 miles is considered high mileage across the board of UTVs; however, you will find some UTV models that will only last for half of this and some others that can last for up to 10,000 miles as they have been well maintained and also appropriately driven.
