Why so many used cars with low mileage?

sdavi3680

I was looking at some of the used cars at a couple of my local VW dealers and there were several with low mileage. There were a few Golfs of the same model with pretty much the same mileage at around 15,000. But there were plenty of other, different models with less mileage than that.
Anyway, I'm just curious as to why they could be on sale. I mean why would someone by a new car but only do 15,000miles? I'm just suspicious, as I know nothing about cars, especially when it's of the same model.

maninthestreet

How old are the cars? Are they possibly ex-rental cars?

sdavi3680

The ones I was looking at were less than a year old.
New Golf model 1.4 S 5dr.
around 15,000 mileage and list price of around £12,000

Inactive

15,000 miles is not low for a car of that age.

vikingaero

Most brands either rent to fleets, driving schools or hire companies. A steady flow of used stock is required as new cars are out of some peoples budgets. The easiest way to ensure a steady flow is to give cars either free or at a discount to staff to use for a specified time or mileage.

Hintza

My lease car will be going back today 2 years old and 21,000 miles.

My last on went back after a 1 year lease with 13,000 miles on it.

Mark_Hewitt

sdavi3680 wrote: »

I was looking at some of the used cars at a couple of my local VW dealers and there were several with low mileage. There were a few Golfs of the same model with pretty much the same mileage at around 15,000. But there were plenty of other, different models with less mileage than that.
Anyway, I'm just curious as to why they could be on sale. I mean why would someone by a new car but only do 15,000miles? I'm just suspicious, as I know nothing about cars, especially when it's of the same model.

"Typical" milage for a year is around 6-10k, so that isn't low milage.

Anyway the ones you are looking at are almost certainly ex-hire cars. They always run them to about 12-15k then sell them on.

sdavi3680

Ok, thanks. So probably best avoided. For a similar price I can buy a brand new Polo, which to me, isn't that much different. At least I will get peace of mind with that.

flyingscotno1

sdavi3680 wrote: »

I was looking at some of the used cars at a couple of my local VW dealers and there were several with low mileage. There were a few Golfs of the same model with pretty much the same mileage at around 15,000. But there were plenty of other, different models with less mileage than that.
Anyway, I'm just curious as to why they could be on sale. I mean why would someone by a new car but only do 15,000miles? I'm just suspicious, as I know nothing about cars, especially when it's of the same model.

Couple of possibilities at that age. If high spec cars, then the could be fleet demos, or indeed other demo/dealer vehicles. Also possible that they are ex VW managers cars too if higher spec. Rental is more likely option for the lower spec, high miles more basic models like that.

If they are asking £12k as you suggest for that car walk away, brand new 59 plates are only £11,600.

Mark_Hewitt

sdavi3680 wrote: »

Ok, thanks. So probably best avoided.

Not at all. Hire cars are more likely to have been properly looked after and maintained while they were on the road.

The majority of people hiring cars don't use them for illegal street racing, they just drive them to where they want to go.

Exemplar

15K is average cap for hire cars or as they were known 'fastest ashtrays in the world....'