What's considered decent mileage??

alycat05 · 13-07-2010 2:00pm #1

Hi

I've been looking to buy a used Fiesta/Focus/Corsa or something around that size.

I was wondering what would be considered a decent amount of mileage on a 1.2 Petrol engine, and a 1,4 Pertrol engine.

And at what point would you draw the line?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Danbo! · 13-07-2010 2:05pm

I've always been told that 12,000 miles is an overall average. Anytime I've been researching cars to buy it seems more like 8,000-10,000 on petrol cars.

It really depends on the car and I wouldnt be too quick to 'draw the line' with regards to mileage. I've been in an 04/05 Avensis Taxi with 300,000+ in great nick as it was serviced regularly and looked after well, whereas I've been in some other cars with much less mileage in far worse conditions.

alycat05 · 13-07-2010 2:15pm

Great, thanks for the info.

I had a 01 Golf that packed up on me, it had 126,000 miles on the clock and the mechanic told me that there were a lot of problems to be expected for a 1.4 with so many miles on the clock. Got the impression from him that the bigger the engine the more miles it could handle. As im only looking for another 1.2/1.4 I dont wanna get anything that may be too high a mileage for the size of the engine.

topper75 · 13-07-2010 2:23pm

My Starlet only has a 1.3 engine but it has gone well past 126,000 miles. I don't exactly hold my head up high yet among Starlet owners. 200,000 isn't at all uncommon. You'd want to be up to 300,000 to get respect among such people.

All I can say in my technical ignorance is - they don't make 'em like they used to.

bazz26 · 13-07-2010 2:48pm

That VW 1.4 litre engine is known for being poor and unreliable. I think you did well up to now for it to see that mileage.

Max Power1 · 13-07-2010 3:40pm

Its of more importance that the car was well maintained and serviced, than the milieage imo.

Ive a fiesta with nearly 110k miles on her; you would be lucky to see that on some of the newer small cars imo.

Wasnt there a thread here a while back about a Carina II that had over a million miles on?

DrFroggies · 13-07-2010 4:34pm

I've a VW Polo 1.4 Classic - if i remember correctly there's over 163k (plus) miles on the clock and it's grand - engine wise anyway!

Do need a new gearbox though (can't get her into 5th) but she can clock up to 120kpm in 4th (though i generally try to avoid that) overall she's in lovely shape for a 98.:)

iceman777 · 13-07-2010 4:39pm

As another poster said, 12,000 miles per annum is average.

Garages will always say 15,000, but the data that insurance companies take from cars states that the figure is 12,000 per annum.

What's considered decent mileage??

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