Which would you buy?

taliwillow

Hello,

Just after some different views on how relevant age and mileage on a car. For example, I have seen two cars that I like. The model and spec on both is exactly the same. The only difference I can see is the age and mileage. The details are as follows:

2002 52 75k miles £6495

2004 53 60k miles £7990

I suppose the question is, is it really worth an extra £1500 for the slightly newer car?

Which would you buy?

Thanks

Taliwillow

janeawej

which months in the year where they registered? the newer one could be only a few months newer depending on this

DavidHM

Either, really. I don't think it matters; neither seems expensive compared to the other.

Choose the one that gives you the better discount or is the prettier colour or which is in the better condition (not necessarily the newer, lower mileage one).

What's the car? My guess is that it's a Volvo S60. Am I close? (If it is, and it's a diesel, definitely get the newer one as earlier ones had injector problems around 100k miles but should be fixed on the 53 plate).

taliwillow

The older one is Nov 2002. The newer one is Jan 2004,

The car is a VW Passat TDI Sport.

I have also seen one the same age as the 2004 53 plate with just 45k on it for £10k. I can't afford £10k but was shocked at how much a difference the the mileage seems to have made on the price of the car. 15k miles cant really be worth £2000 can it?

DavidHM

15k miles cant really be worth £2000 can it?

No, but it can attract the "expensive" kind of dealer (who won't have paid anything like £2k more for the car at auction.) Incidentally that's a very good price already: CarGiant is usuallly very competitive and your 52 plate is cheaper and lower mileage than theirs. They don't have a 53 plate to compare.

One thing that might influence me is whether the 53 plate has had its timing belt changed recently; and also if the 52 plate might be about due for its second change. A timing belt is a £300 job on a Passat and that could be enough to swing it.

abbecer

I don't know much about cars really but i'll have my two penneth anyway!! I would buy the car that has had more care taken of it ie regular services, tyres in a good state etc. Just because a car is newer doesn't mean it is better. It could belong to a boy racer who rags it's !!! off.

Rebecca x

taliwillow

The 53 plate has had the cambelt changed and it has full vw service history.

DavidHM

Was it changed at 40k or 60k? (When they were new the interval was 60k but I think it's been reduced to 40k. Of course if it hasn't snapped and has only recently been changed, it's a good thing for you if it was "late.")

Meanwhile the 52-plate will in all likelihood need a new belt in 20k or less if you stick to the new interval - so that's ~£150 or so in the 53-plate car's favour.

Look at the condition of the tyres and so on and make your judgement based on condition but the new timing belt could be enough to make me go for the 53.