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4 Owners Low mileage red flag ?

For the first time in what feels like a lifetime due to circumstances out of my control, I am looking for a replacement car. I have found a few nice scirocco's

2017 67 reg, 73k mileage 2 owners, £10,099 private sale
2017 67 reg 74k mileage 1 owner, £11,980 trade sale
2017 17 reg, 38k mileage 4 owners £14,450 trade sale

just wanted an initial opinion on the combination of low mileage and high owners, would anyone consider that a serious red flag, could it be an indicator of issues ? only 2 mot's issued it looks like from the dvla site.
or the higher mileage but low ownership, could that allow me to have some money set aside for issues.
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Comments

  • fatbelly
    fatbelly Posts: 22,143 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Cashback Cashier
    edited 21 August 2023 pm31 8:16PM
    I wouldn't consider it a red flag but whether it's worth an extra 4.5k i don't know

    What's the story behind the non-mot years though?
  • Low mileage and several owners suggests that there’s a problem and people are getting shot quickly.  Of course, it *could* be that owner 1 of car 3 gave up driving/died in 2019, then owner 2 did the same, then owner 3 didn’t need the vehicle, then owner 4 decided to trade it in (or any combination of that!), but it’s unlikely.  Would you expect a 6 year old car to have had a new owner every 9 months?
  • bigbars
    bigbars Posts: 97 Forumite
    10 Posts Name Dropper First Anniversary
    ta for the opinions / sanity check

    mot history
    28 june 23 - 27 june 24 37k
    4 jan 21 - 3 jan 22 34k - advisories on both front tyres
    25 jun 20 - 2 jan 21 unknown mileage

    i didnt realise there was a gap of 1 year between 2022 and 2023

    lovely car in photos, i know trade like to mark up prices, but something's giving me a twinge, and the cheaper example makes me wonder that apart from a massive failure i have money to take care of issues.
  • Grumpy_chap
    Grumpy_chap Posts: 17,049 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    For the first time in what feels like a lifetime due to circumstances out of my control, I am looking for a replacement car. I have found a few nice scirocco's

    2017 67 reg, 73k mileage 2 owners, £10,099 private sale
    2017 67 reg 74k mileage 1 owner, £11,980 trade sale
    2017 17 reg, 38k mileage 4 owners £14,450 trade sale

    just wanted an initial opinion on the combination of low mileage and high owners, would anyone consider that a serious red flag, could it be an indicator of issues ? only 2 mot's issued it looks like from the dvla site.
    or the higher mileage but low ownership, could that allow me to have some money set aside for issues.
    I'd go for the 1-owner option.
  • Ditzy_Mitzy
    Ditzy_Mitzy Posts: 1,912 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    It's probably worth finding out more about the history of the low mileage one, if possible.  It may be the case that one of the keepers died, which resulted in the car being out of use for some time.  There may also be a more prosaic explanation, such as a keeper switching to working at home, not needing to use the car and then quickly selling it.  As always, buy on condition and keep your eyes open.  I favour low mileage, but modern engines - diesels especially - don't like lots of short journeys.  
  • If I sold my 66 plate it might not look good.
    2 owners and 22k on the clock.
    was a pre reg with 8 miles on the clock and 3 months old.
    If I sold to you, it would have 3 owners, buy low verified mileage.
    A good deal.
    But would look twice at 3 or four owner, then go for 1 owner and pay a bit more.

  • Maybe it had an expensive fault. It's been fixed and now the unfortunate person who had to pay for it wants their money back, hence the unrealistic price.
  • Herzlos
    Herzlos Posts: 15,395 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    For a sporty car like a Scirocco, 4 owners in 6 years isn't terrible, but I don't think I'd pay the extra money for it being low miles.

    What's the difference between the 1 and 2 owner cars? I'd be inclined to take the 2 owner and save the extra £1000.
  • 400ixl
    400ixl Posts: 4,137 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    Scirocco is a car people remember the original, think they want one now that they have some disposable income, quickly either realise its not practical and sell or like it and keep. Number of keepers is probably not a good indicator with these.
  • angrycrow
    angrycrow Posts: 1,095 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts
    The low mileage one actually had the four owners in 2 years with last change of keeper in 2019. They missed the last mot by 18 months and it's only covered 3000 between the Jan 2021 mot and the last mot in June 2023. 

    The lack of mileage on the first MOT is not a concern as it was an automatic COVID extension. 

    It is very likely the car was laid up shortly after the 2021 MOT and not returned to the road until June 2023. There could be a perfectly reasonable explanation but it could also be more sinister. 

    The question is are you willing to gamble £4500 on it not being due to a major problem or being impounded following a serious collision.

    Hg17xna 
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