Are you thinking about buying a used UTV and don’t know what is considered high mileage? Or are you worried that the UTV will only last for a couple of years until you need to buy a new one? If yes, you have arrived at the right place to have your questions answered.
There is no exact number of miles a UTV will last. These are offroad vehicles that are built to last for years. In general, you can expect a UTV to work for up to five years before you need to repair or replace any expensive parts. Popular UTV manufacturers like Kubota, for example, offer a special engine warranty for 3 years or 3000 hours (which one comes first). You can use the engine warranty as a rule of thumb to determine how long a UTV will last before requiring repairs other than the regular maintenance.
I know how stressful it can be to buy your first offroad vehicle, especially if you don’t have any experience with engines. This is why I will lay out a guide to how long a UTV will last and what high mileage is.
How Long Will a UTV Last?
Even though UTVs don’t have an “expiration date, the engine will start malfunctioning after a couple of years. In general, you can drive a brand-new UTV for up to five years before running into expensive mechanical issues such as having to change the transmission, suspension system or others.
Kubota makes some of the world’s best UTVs and the company offers engine insurance for all its side by sides. The insurance is available for 3 years of 3000 hours, whichever comes first. This lets us know the company is confident enough in the quality of its UTV engine that it will last for a minimum of 3 years without any issues. On the other hand, we have Honda, which offers a 1-year standard warranty that goes up to 5 if you pay more. Their offer is available for both UTVs and ATVs.
It’s also important to mention that there are multiple factors that will influence the lifespan of a UTV. For example, driving your UTV on regular offroad trails differs from rugged mountain trails. If you plan on driving the four-wheeler on difficult trails often, then you shouldn’t be surprised if the engine or other parts need repairs quicker than usual.
Luckily, there are some ways to make your UTV last longer. Here is how:
- Avoid rugged trails as often as possible;
- Change the air filters regularly to prevent the UTV from running rich;
- Pay attention to belt damage (and change it at the first sign of tear);
- Consider using synthetic oil to increase the engine lifespan;
- Use offroad diesel if you have gas stations in the area that sell it.
What is Considered High Mileage for UTV?
Most people say that 5,000 miles is considered high mileage for UTVs. I think that this is a fair number, but you should also take into consideration the type of terrain the side by side was driven on. If the owner lives in a mountain area, chances are that the UTV has been going over obstacles every single day. This means that you will probably have to invest in a new suspension system or other parts.
Therefore, it’s always wise to either bring a mechanic along with you when buying a new UTV or take the quad to a mechanic’s shop for a full inspection. You can read more about UTV mileage in this article, where I present a full mileage guide for ATVs and UTVs. I also show the main problems people who buy used UTVs have to deal with, so you should stick around for the end.
Final Thoughts
If you are thinking about buying a new UTV, you don’t have to worry about the four-wheeler needing any repairs soon. These are offroad vehicles that are built to last. You can expect a side by side to last for a minimum of five years before you need to make any significant repairs or invest in expensive parts.
