Are people put off by high mileage cars?

addyboy1982

I only ask this question as my last 4 cars, including the one I currently own have been ex-company cars. I'm currently advertising mine and am looking to do the same again, 2/3 year old ex-company vehicle etc..

I've never had any problems with any of them despite some having scary mileages when I've sold them.

Have I been lucky, or is it the best sort of use a car can get by pounding the motorways day after day? I'm thinking so.

newfoundglory

Short answer, no.

Long answer, depends on the service history and whether the car has been looked after. Oh, and the manufacturer of course

vikingaero

Not scared of them - just aware that some cars have really expensive services at certain mileages which along with a cambelt change makes them poor value.

jobdone1

not one bit, Engines are well built compared to years ago and more refined our 1.4 diesel has 164000 on the clock its all about a good service history and regular oil and filter changes with the correct grade of oil. Ours runs very well indeed i am more than impressed and would be happy to always buy high millage.

motorguy

Company cars tend to be diesels and newer diesels tend to have floating flywheels, Diesel Particulate Filters, EGR valves, high pressure injectors, high pressure turbos etc, which these days seem to be treated like serviceable items.

Therefore avoiding a major bill might be harder to do than previously.

Having said that, a full manufacturers service history usually stands any car in good stead - always worth checking through and making sure its all there.

Rolandtheroadie

Had my current car nearly a year. It's a 215k mile, 11 owner, 18 year old Audi 80.

When replacement time comes (just re-MOT'd it, hoping to get another MOT out it next year) I'll buy on MOT and description (I buy from ebay without viewing beforehand).

The Audi had the timing belt/water pump etc and glowplugs done before I bought it, and came from an Audi enthusiast (only selling as he was buying an older quattro).

Wifes cars only done 150k, we got it at around 120k.

StrongWork

No, however this is dependant on the car in question and the nature of the miles it has covered.

Splott

I sold my last one at 7 years old with 165k on the clock, full main dealer service history. Didn't even need to advertise it.

addyboy1982

StrongWork wrote: »

No, however this is dependant on the car in question and the nature of the miles it has covered.

Agree. The first three of mine were Vauxhalls, one of which my OH still uses. I was dubious about buying my Renault but it hasn't missed a beat. In fact it's been so good I'm getting a newer one!

dacouch

My friend used to buy high mileage cars, he did quite a low mileage so he would keep them for a few years and when he sold them they would have gone down to low mileage so he had no problems selling them.

It worked very well for him.

UsernameAlreadyExists

Just to go against the trend, I personally hate high mileage cars and will generally avoid like the plague unless it's just a "banger" that I don't need to rely on and will use for crappy jobs. I appreciate that company cars are serviced regulary, regardless of cost, but even so the general wear and tear adds up and eventually something will go pop.
I had a 145K mondeo many years back which I paid a measly £750 for. Two years later, the head gasket blew on the A34. Instant steamy death. No amount of routine servicing and maintenance would have prevented this so it's time was up and game over.