Newer High Miles Vs Older Lower miles?

Mummy81

Hi All,


Unfortunately our car has just been written off and we are looking for a new one.


We are considering an Astra 1.7cdti, we have seen two:


Car 1 - 2008 (08) with 55 on the clock - FSH - ? previous owners. £4600


Car 2 - 2010 (59) with 140k on the clock - full main dealer history, new cam-belt, clutch and brakes (pads and disks) 1 owner - £3750


My question is; should I be concerned that car 2 has so many miles vs. car 1?


I know it's down to how each one drives etc. but I just wondered whether you would immediately discount this car if you were in my position.


The long term plan is to keep the car for several years, and I understand that re-sale value would be minimal. We would maintain the service history (probably not main dealer) and would do less than average miles.

forgotmyname

Condition, Condition, Condition....

Car number 2 sounds like my type of car as long as the service history is immaculate.
Not been run to within a mile of the max limit has it? Or worse gone over.

How many miles a year do you cover? How long do you plan on keeping it?

A big bill the clutch and brakes have been done but how recently?

CrazyRed

No, I definitely wouldn't discount the higher-mileage, newer car.

In fact, I'd probably go for it. That sort of mileage in a few short years suggests to me that it was a lease/company vehicle, which normally means it has been maintained regardless of expense and (for the most part) driven on motorways.

In the past, I've bought many a car with 140-150k on them, because it's evident they were ex-lease and thus well maintained and each and every one of them has proven extremely reliable. My highest was 226,000 on a BMW Estate, which ran without fault to well over a quarter of a million miles with nothing more than intensive servicing (once mileage gets over 100k, I personally change the oil and filter twice as often as recommended by the service schedule).

My current car was bought with 165k on the clock (it now has 190k, 18 months later) with the express intention of a '5 year plan' - i.e. keep until I've had it at least 5 years by which time she'd be 20 years old and likely worth little else but scrap. However, with 165k on the clock already, it was already depreciated about as far as it could, therefore the next 5 year's depreciation bills are likely to be pretty low!

Only issue with higher-mileage motors is things like suspension bushes, track rod ends, etc., are likely to be worn more than the 55k mile example, BUT in all likelihood they've been replaced once already in the lifetime of the car which will save you the expense for a couple of years.

If you're below average mileage drivers, then it makes sense to buy a high-miler now, and run it for a long time. By the time you come to get rid/px, it'll then in all probability have the same mileage on the clock as an equivalently-aged "average mileage" motor.

As forgotmyname says - condition, condition, condition - check for stone chips on the front, especially leading edge of the bonnet and see that they've been corrected properly, and check all 4 tyres - all 4 being the same make and model is a good sign, particularly if that make/model is one of the 'premium' brands. Pedal rubbers and steering wheel rims are likely to be more worn on the higher-mileage car but these parts are relatively cheap to replace (pedal rubbers) or easy to live with (steering wheel).

JonathanA

I opted for a newer, higher miles car last time I changed cars, buying a 4 yr old Ford Galaxy with 140k miles. It has now done another 14,000 miles in 8 months with no issues. It had a full service history and had been very well looked after and driven (I knew its background).

I'd certainly go down this route for future car purchases but as has been said, buy on its condition.

jimjames

I would always go for the newer higher miles car as long as it has been properly serviced. As per your examples it is generally cheaper and more depreciation has already taken place so you get more of a bargain.

My last one was 3 years old ex lease with 110k on it, FSH from VW, bought 4 years ago and have added 30k miles with no real issues in that time.

bigjl

High miles ex lease

I prefer to be the first owner after the lease company

Never let me down.

I also like to see a full main dealer service history.

reeac

CrazyRed wrote: »

No, I definitely wouldn't discount the higher-mileage, newer car.


As forgotmyname says - condition, condition, condition - check for stone chips on the front, especially leading edge of the bonnet and see that they've been corrected properly, and check all 4 tyres - all 4 being the same make and model is a good sign, particularly if that make/model is one of the 'premium' brands.






















.

I second that remark about matching quality tyres. Always a good indication of careful maintenance. Look also for a copy of the handbook, records of expenditure and a full set of valve caps.

ericonabike

I am a part-time chauffeur for a business taxi firm. We use a fleet of Skoda Superbes, which are washed daily, valeted and serviced to schedule. Anything that goes wrong is fixed immediately. The one I drove yesterday is just over three years old, with 260,000 miles on the clock. If it were 'clocked' to 60,000 I would defy anyone to spot it. When sold, it will go for peanuts given the mileage, and someone will get a bargain.

roonaldo

There's far to much emphasise on car milleage. I've bought high milleage cars in the past with little problems, in fact the cars i've had most problems on are the lower milleage ones. The previous owner has taken the hit on the depreciation so whats to stop you picking up a bargin car.

The low milleage car you mentioned has had more than 1 previous owner which could mean its been sold on a few times due to a problem. You may find in a high milleage car any niggling little problems have been ironed out and had key things replaced already.

Check full service history and condition of vehicle and if ok then go for it.

sh0597

There's no real rule. Yes you should take mileage into account. Use a valuation site to find out if they are good deals pricewise. No car is identical.

Mummy81

Hi All,


Thanks for the replies. We have ended up buying a completely different car, the high mileage one had gone when I called about it and the first car just didn't tick the boxes when we looked.


It's a newer car with average mileage, but at a good price. With good service history.


Thanks for all the replies guys x x