Diesel: Cost Vrs. Milage question

the_manchine

So we're about to buy a family bus and have decided on an S-Max - so far so good.

On any I've seen so far there's a trade off - higher cost with low mileage or lower cost at higher mileage. As you'd expect.

They all have a 1.8 diesel in them. What I don't know is what kind of a yardstick to use to gauge how much life is left in them, both the car and the engine. We're looking at 06/07 models. The mileage ranges from 20's to 60+. I'd hope to keep anything we'd buy for at least the next 8 years or so.
Any advice from experience?

EPM

If you plan on keeping it for 8 years look at the service history regardless of mileage. If a car is properly serviced there is no reason why even the higher mileage ones shouldn't last the time you want it to. Could save yourself a few quid buying a higher mieage car with a FSH

JHMEG

Lower mileage means less use. Less use means less wear and tear on the engine and suspension but also on interiors etc.

I would look so save a few quid on the year. A 2006 low mileage will probably cost the same as a 2007 with higher mileage.