Buying a used ATV or deciding whether you need to sell your all-terrain vehicle is a complex task. You can’t just say that 400 hours or 600 hours is a lot or not a lot for an ATV. You should take many factors into account.
Today, we’ll be talking about ATVs and their longevity as well as about their main issues that come with certain mileage. And this article is going to help you decide whether you need to buy an ATV you’ve found on the market or not.
Here are some topics that we’ll discuss:
- How many hours should a decent ATV work with no problems?
- What should be considered high hours for an ATV?
- What types of ATVs are best to buy used?
- What can kill an ATV for 100 or 200 hours of use?
- What can go wrong with a used ATV with high hours on the clock?
Let’s get started!
So how many hours should an ATV last on average?
Speaking about any average figures is so unfair when we are talking about ATVs.
One person could buy a modern Honda ATV new from the shop and maintain this vehicle with original parts and fluid according to the service plan. The other person could buy a Chinese cheap ATV copy with a 50-hours engine and forget to change the oil in it.
Some experts say that an ATV should last about 10 years. But again, one person will use it once a year, the other will drive it every single day, and they can’t both work for 10 years with no issues.
We would say that 1000 hours should be considered a top limitation for any ATV, even if we are talking about a good brand.
Also, 10 years should be thought of as the maximum period you can use your ATV even with low mileage and hours.
But these factors should be considered:
- Hours to mileage ratio. Low-mileage but high-hours ATV were probably used in rough terrains all the time, so their suspension and powertrain aren’t in a good condition anymore. A high-mileage and low-hours ATV is slightly better because it was used on better roads.
- Maintenance quality. ATVs don’t like when owners try to save up some money and start buying cheaper oil, bad filters, and cheap aftermarket parts. In this case, even 200 hours should be considered a lot.
- Widely-open throttle hours. You have to consider where and how the ATV was used. A lot of widely-open throttle time kills the engine faster, and this is the most expensive part of your ATV.
- Mud issues. A lot of ATVs get buried in mud because of poor driving and poor landscape investigation. This is basically the same as flood damage for a car. It can work for some time and then just start failing every day.
- Mechanical damages. For an ATV that has been in accidents hours and mileage aren’t important anymore. In this case, you should consider its condition (the way it was repaired and maintained after the accident).
Let’s sum up what we know about high mileage ATVs.
1000-hours ATVs should be considered high-hours and very risky to buy. High-mileage ATVs are just like high-mileage cars – they are risky even with low hours.
What is an ideal ATV to buy?
According to hours and mileage, you should choose an ATV that offers such conditions:
- No more than 200-300 hours.
- No more than 3 000 miles of mileage.
- A decent brand like Honda, Yamaha, or Polaris.
- Official track of maintenance and servicing.
- No signs of flooding.
- No mechanical damages.
- No accidents and insurance records.
Best used ATVs to buy with high mileage
People tend to buy low-hours and low-mileage ATVs. But those may cost a lot, so if you have little money available for your purchase, you may choose vehicles with higher mileage to get a decent discount from a seller.
If you want to buy a really cheap ATV, you should stick to some rules.
First, never buy ATVs of unknown brands. Better choose a Can-Am, Honda, Yamaha, or Polaris ATV that you will easily repair if something goes wrong.
Second, never buy ATVs with over 10 000 miles on the clock. 700 or 800 hours should be considered the maximum option for your purchase.
Third, consider buying a salvage ATV which is ten times less expensive than a used ATV with the same mileage and hours. Repairing your salvage ATV is not a very hard task.
Fourth, always have a thorough check-up before you pay money for your purchase. This will save you from unpredicted situations.
Killing your ATV in just 200 hours
Well, 200 hours can’t be considered a lot for an ATV even if it’s a cheaper model with not so durable engine. But the condition of the vehicle highly depends on how the ATV was used and maintained.
We know a lot of people who have killed their ATVs for just 100 or 200 hours. And you shouldn’t do something extraordinary for this.
Here are the ways to kill your all-terrain vehicle:
- using the vehicle for racing – this is a number one reason for sooner death of the engine;
- riding on swamps with no proper investigation – water is not a good friend of vehicles;
- using bad oil – if the engine oil is not appropriate, it will kill the engine very fast;
- customization – bigger wheels, tuning of the ECU, new settings will also contribute to sooner death of the vehicle;
- inexperienced drivers – if the ATV is used for rent or is used by a teenager, you may expect it to die very soon;
- DIY service – unfortunately, it’s not the way to prolong the life of your vehicle.
All ATVs have detailed service plans provided by their producers. If you stick to the plan, you can ensure that your vehicle will work much longer.
Sometimes careless drivers are the main reason for problems. They feel there is some problem with the ATV, but they don’t go to service. Instead, they keep riding their vehicles until the ATVs drop.
Better don’t buy the ATV if you know that it has some of the factors mentioned above in its life.
Main issues with high-hours ATVs
We have found some of the most common issues that can happen with your ATV if it’s a high-mileage or high-hours machine. And we’ll give some explanations, too.
ATV doesn’t start
In this case, it may have been submerged in water or the electric wiring was faulty for some reason. You should check the spark plugs, wires, and coils first. Also, make sure you have some fuel in the tank.
ATV stalls all the time
The most obvious issue may be with the fuel pump. This is a popular problem as the pump shakes all the time and can be broken easily.
Also, stalling may occur because of fuel mixture issues. Just some settings will be required to fix the situation.
Check whether the engine needs some maintenance. Maybe, your ATV stalls just because it needs the air filter to be changed.
ATV shows little power
In most cases, you will need to change the clutch. Look at engine RPM when your ATV loses power again. If the RPM is high enough, but the vehicle is not moving faster, the clutch is to blame.
Power loss can also be the effect of a broken engine. When the engine loses compression, it may start working poorly. You may need to have it investigated thoroughly in a service station.
Smoke from the tailpipe
If the smoke doesn’t disappear when you drive your vehicle, the piston rings and valve seals are to be blamed. Changing them is not as simple and it may cost you some money.
Sometimes, smoking ATV is OK. It may be just some condensation water evaporating. But as soon as the engine is hot, the smoke shouldn’t be seen anymore.
Oil leaks
High-hours ATVs often start leaking oil. You should find the cause of leaks as soon as possible. Make sure your engine runs with an optimal level of oil in it. Otherwise, the engine may be broken very soon.
Low oil levels are the worst enemies of the engines. You should avoid running an engine with a low oil level at all costs.
Final words
You may know that ATVs are used not for driving to supermarkets and back. And they aren’t usually bought to drive kids to school. This is a special transport that is used for sport, rough terrains, hunting, fishing, and just for fun rides in mud, in snow, or on the sand. That’s why they don’t usually live as long as your car may survive.
If you want to buy a used ATV, you should consider all the tips that we’ve given in this article. Pay attention to hours, mileage, and also to any crashes or mechanical damages it may have. The more issues you find, the more reasons you have to ask for a discount or even to refuse to buy this vehicle.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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