10 year old / 21k mile car with 3 verified oil changes

Joined
Apr 27, 2023
Messages
294
Location
Franklin, TN
Hello, all. I’m once again flirting with the idea of purchasing an older (2014) vehicle with very low original mileage (approx 21k). CARFAX shows 3 verified services on the vehicle; each approximately every 7k-ish miles meaning several years between as it was driven quite rarely. I assume the owner followed the OLM and the CARFAX states they did have it serviced at the original dealer.

I know there are issues with an older yet rarely driven vehicle with things aging out, but what - if any - danger was there from very larger periods of time but low miles between OCIs? Aside from the info on the CARFAX I’m at a loss for detailed information. I do have 1qt of unused HPL EC30 that I never got around to using with a previous project so I can sub that in for a single quart of regular oil; again, not sure that is “necessary” given the low mileage but if I don’t use it, it will continue to sit.

Aside from the standard OCI I’ll be changing all other fluids for a fresh reset under my ownership. It’s an Acura K24 engine so no GDI issues and pretty robust in my experience (have owned several others over the last 2 decades).
 
Go for it. Aside from some bad gas, a filter change or two, and some tires, should be a solid prospect if it is priced right, and you indicate you are already familiar with them. If you're worried about a sticky engine, use the HPL and press on with pride.
Thanks! My wife had our last one and we bought it at 5 years old and drove it for several years before it was side swiped and totaled - best car we ever had and we bought it with much higher mileage.
 
My 2015 Jeep has only 19,000 miles. And my 2018 Toyota Camry just turned 16,000 miles. Both were purchased new, and neither one has ever been driven on a wet street.

The only time either one gets wet is when they're washed. Which is about once a year max. But they are started and driven at least once a week until the oil gets over 200F.

I change oil and filter every 6 months. Which is probably too much, but it's easy and cheap to do. They're both garage kept and the garage is both cooled and heated. So nothing is "aging out", except for perhaps the driver.

I wouldn't worry about 3 oil changes in 11 years, with that low of mileage. But I would for sure change both it and the filter right away. And I've never had an issue with gas going bad in any of my vehicles or gas powered equipment. Fuel injected vehicles handle bad fuel a lot better than carburetors do.
 
I’d buy it just because. I installed low mileage engine that sat in the yard (supposedly inside) for 4 yrs. There was corrosion looking inside with a borescope but it was shipped and would have cost a lot to send it back. 4 yrs and 100k later and it’s been flawless. I did do a series of short oil changes with Mobil 1 to be safe and to this day doesn’t use a drop at 5k intervals. I gave the car to my nurse practitioner daughter for a 130 mile a day commuter and she ran it to almost 9k before I had a chance to change the oil. It did use a half qt but she also drives like she’s running from the law. I truly believe in my heart she could make a lot of money being a test pilot for car companies. An hour ride with her setting in passenger seat would change your life.
 
And if you don't buy it, post up the details so one of us can. 2014 would be 6 years newer and 220k less miles than my daughters CRV that does have some rusting underneath. Also 4 years newer and 168k less than my sons Forte.
 
You've got to ask (yourself) the standard question of how were those miles made? Two at a time driving to the corner store?

I'd still get it if the price were right and the condition checked out... however... there are people out there who look at odometers as "pure" indicators of aging and tend to overpay. So don't let yourself get in a bidding war if someone else wants it more. There's nearly no way you can get sludge type damage that isn't reversible at this point.
 
Hello, all. I’m once again flirting with the idea of purchasing an older (2014) vehicle with very low original mileage (approx 21k). CARFAX shows 3 verified services on the vehicle; each approximately every 7k-ish miles meaning several years between as it was driven quite rarely. I assume the owner followed the OLM and the CARFAX states they did have it serviced at the original dealer.

I know there are issues with an older yet rarely driven vehicle with things aging out, but what - if any - danger was there from very larger periods of time but low miles between OCIs? Aside from the info on the CARFAX I’m at a loss for detailed information. I do have 1qt of unused HPL EC30 that I never got around to using with a previous project so I can sub that in for a single quart of regular oil; again, not sure that is “necessary” given the low mileage but if I don’t use it, it will continue to sit.

Aside from the standard OCI I’ll be changing all other fluids for a fresh reset under my ownership. It’s an Acura K24 engine so no GDI issues and pretty robust in my experience (have owned several others over the last 2 decades).
"older(2014)" Are you kidding? That ain't older. I don't go by time on OCI's. Consider miles only otherwise a waste of good M1. Never had a problem. With modern EVAP systems fuel seems to last a lot longer too. But I'd change the fuel filter.
 
I spent a while last night coming up with a list of fluids and filters and other items to change as soon as I get it (99% sure the deal will go through next week).

I think I will run the initial oil change with Valvoline R&P mixed with a quart of HPL EC30. Based upon my reading here I’ll do a few (3 or 4) short OCIs with R&P and then evaluate how things sit before switching over to HPL.

Feel free to add suggestions to my list here of parts. All parts are OEM aside from the engine oil.

Engine Oil: 4.2qt

Engine Oil Filter (15400-RTA-003) $7

Transmission Fluid: ATF DW1 - 2.64 qts (3qts * 3): $90

Engine Coolant: 1.64 gal (2 gal): $37

Brake Fluid:

Engine Air Filter (17220-PGE-A00): $20

Cabin Air Filter (80292-SDA-407): $17

Automatic Transmission Filter (25430-PLR-003): $43

PCV Valve (17130-RCA-A02): $36
 
I bought Honda branded coolant for my Civic, but not sure it's strictly necessary. I'm not using Honda oil filters anymore, although I did early on in the cars life. Transmission filters shouldn't be required, yet. I'd let ride on that. But for trans fluid, I'd use nothing other than OEM stuff.
 
Back
Top