Views on old cars with low mileage

tommytynan123

General opinions please. Need a new car for general use but not motorway work. Been offered (from a very reputable source who I have dealt with for years) a 2003 Focus (auto) with 12K on the clock. 1 owner (lady who has given up driving). Bulletproof mileage verified with MOTs and FSH. £1750! My son said ''Its still an old car''. General thoughts please - thanks.

Nobbie1967

I think I would be cautious as doing 12k over 16 years is not going to have done the engine any favours if it's been lots of short journeys. Lots of stuff deteriorates with time such as rubber bushes and there could be rust underneath. How often was it serviced? What was done at the last service. What does the MOT history show?

I suspect that once you start putting some miles on it, a lot of work will come to light such as brakes and suspension. For £1k worth the risk, but not at £1750.

I'm actually looking for a car at that sort of price, but I'd rather go for a newer car with 100k+ on the clock

AdrianC

I certainly wouldn't pay much, if any premium over any other similar-age car.

So the question is £1,750 for a 15yo Focus automatic...?
No. WELL overpriced.

marlot

I'd go on the condition. If its been garaged and only used rarely it could be ok value. If its rusty and been used daily it could be a shed. I'd be wanting it to be pretty much perfect for that money.



I have a low mileage mx-5 in my (ventilated) garage. When its used, it normally does 100 miles. It sails through each MOT. Stored with the hadnbrake off. Oil changed annually. Brake fluid changed regularly. tyres changed last year. Its in great shape and I'd do 1000 miles in it tomorrow if I had to.

edde

Agree with the earlier poster milage doesn't matter as much as age. Even with age and milage it's overpriced.
There's cars yrs more modern with 60k for less money.

Unless it's very cheap walk.

Brummie85

From experience I'd say not to be swayed by low milage.

There are some things that will deteriorate, regardless of use. I bought a 14 year old Fiat that was ex-motability, 1 owner (she bought the car after the term was up) and only had 32k on the clock at the time.

Within a couple of weeks, the clutch was sticking regularly. It was riddled with suspension faults. Then electrical gremlins crept in. I think in the end I spent about £1000 on looking after it because I liked it. But the MOT 12 months later came back with an eye watering list of advisories - in addition to the £500 of work to get it passed.

I'd now probably lean the other way. Maybe something newer with higher miles. But won't I do is get saddled with something on finance again. I like the car I have but I hate paying for it al the time !

Retrogamer

I've been looking at low mileage old cars as well just to see what's out there and i'd happily own and drive one and deal with any issues with aging bushes and the likes but as others mentioned even with that mileage, that price is too high.

wgl2014

£500 yes.

£1500 not unless you have an irrational love if Foci.

Arklight

Low mileage can be encouraging, but I'd always look more closely at the condition of the car than what's on the odometer, and don't pay over the odds just for that. I've seen low mileage cars with worn peddles, worn steering wheels and shiny gearsticks showing that someone spent a long time sitting in them not going very far.

We bought a 13 year old Micra with only 26,000 miles on the clock. Apart from a dent, it didn't look like a 13 year old car, and may well have been garaged for a reasonable part of its life. It's been OK-ish for the time we've had it, but it's needed things like new brake pads, a new knock sensor, tyres were perished etc, that I guess were the result of it sitting around.

Herzlos

How long has it been sat unused?

System

I'd run away. Its either been sat for long periods or done nothing but short journeys, neither of which are good for a car. You'll find out that the first time you go on a long journey and it starts springing leaks here, there and everywhere from the dried up seals.

I have a low mileage mx-5 in my (ventilated) garage. When its used, it normally does 100 miles. It sails through each MOT. Stored with the hadnbrake off.

Same with my MX5 but this spring I ended up with a seized brake caliper on one side and a sticking one on the other when I brought it back into use after winter and the year before it was the rear calipers. I also had to replace a stuck thermostat as well which also packed up over winter. Clutch release bearing doesn't sound the best either.