buying a used car in excess of 90,00 miles- good/bad idea?

lightspeed

Hi im on my 2nd provisional license and i want to do the test but my current car is a 97 ford fiesta with no power steering or electrics and the nct up in febuary. So i have been looking at a seat ibiza 99 with 90,000 miles that has nct for another year ,power steering, and electric windows which really suits my needs and my budget. So im just a bit worried about the mileage. i would probaly be happy if i to got just a year out of it .
So whats the verdict?
Thanks

bongi69

Once it has full enough service history and been obviously looked after, I wouldn't have a qualm buying a car with that mileage, providing of course the asking price corresponds with the mileage.

The AA in their buying guide for used cars reckon 10K miles per year for average family use. Again with any used car, always get an inspection done but a mechanic/professional.

You could buy a car with 30K miles and get a lemon, or one with 90K and get a good run from it. Its the chance you take really. If you're looking for something cheap and cheerful, you can't go wrong with an Ibiza TBH.

daveharnett

Provided you do your homework, shop around, and have somebody knowledgeable check out potential purchases, that shouldn't be a problem.

bazz26

I'd have no problem buying a car with 90k miles on the clock as long as it has some sort of service history and has been looked after properly. On an 11 year old car 90k miles is below average.

The only issue would be the price to pay for it, another 10k miles and it will hit the magical 100k miles mark where average Joe believes it will magically implode and should be avoided. This will impact the value of the car if you plan to only keep it short term.

EPM

At that age/mileage buy on condition above all else and get it checked over thoroughly by a mechanic before you buy

biko

Don't be looking so hard at the miles (it's probably clocked anyway - only messing), it's the condition and servicing of it that matters.
Bring someone who knows cars with you, look for the usual suspects (rust, bad suspension, leaks, ...) Take it for a test drive from cold for 15 mins or so.
If you like it, buy it. http://www.samarins.com/check/

Gurgle

lightspeed wrote: »

So i have been looking at a seat ibiza 99 with 90,000 miles that has nct for another year ,power steering, and electric windows which really suits my needs and my budget. So im just a bit worried about the mileage. i would probaly be happy if i to got just a year out of it .
So whats the verdict?
Thanks

Search carzone for the make/model and see how high the mileage gets on them - You'll find dozens of Corollas with 130k+, but not many Puntos over 100k.

The Ibiza looks good for 120k+, NCT means it was reasonably intact a year ago.

Get it checked over and you can't go too far wrong.

lightspeed

thanks everybody i have arranged for a friend of mine to go with me to check it out. He knows a far bit about cars and waht to look for so hopefully it at looks good.

Don't let the miles put you off, 90 000 on a 99 isn't out of the way.

Gurgle

lightspeed wrote: »

thanks everybody i have arranged for a friend of mine to go with me to check it out. He knows a far bit about cars and waht to look for so hopefully it at looks good.

Er..... no....
Get a fully qualified mechanic to check it over.

Gurgle

Gurgle wrote: »

Er..... no....
Get a fully qualified mechanic to check it over.

That'a a bit ott really, loads of non mechanics are more than able to check a car out. I've bought 6 cars in the last three years, all were old (from 99s to 92s) some had no NCT, some were off the road for a while, one had over 200 000 miles on it. I thought all of them were fine and they all were. There are quite a few useless mechanics out there.