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Cwag49

We are looking for a post 2005 secondhand car up to $11 - 12 000. Probably a Suzuki Swift or similar. A lot in this price have around 100 000 kilometres on the clock. Is this considered a high mileage for a car of this age? Obviously we would have the car checked but what I want to know is a car with this sort of mileage likely to need major things like brakes, water pumps, suspension components replaced in the near future. I am basing this on experience with our last car, a Mazda lantis, that seemed to develop a thirst for expensive servicing around this sort of mileage.

ABayliss

Generally speaking, a modern car should be good for a much higher mileage than 100,000km. Some of the things you mention (particularly brakes) would be considered routine maintenance, but would definitely need checking at this mileage (or, in fact, a much lower mileage).
Age can be a factor as well as mileage, particularly with seals, mounts and any rubber parts, so perhaps your Mazda Lantis started to give you trouble as it was getting older (assuming the mileage was genuine).
If you can find a well kept example that checks out OK, the Suzuki Swift is regarded as a reliable, popular model and I wouldn't be overly worried about one that's travelled 100,000km.