When buying a used car, how much mileage is too much?

efwren

Howdy,

I have never really put a huge amount of miles on any of my cars, but I now I am about to buy a second hand people carrier. I had a 10 year old polo before with about 70000 miles and thats by far the largest mileage on a car I have owned.

Based on my budget i am either going to be buying a 2010 s-max with say 60,000 miles, or a 2008 s-max with 30000 miles ( as an example).

both cars are spotless and have a 1.8 tdci.

My inclination is to go with the newer car as people carriers get lived in and abused by families..so newer obviously means less wear and tear, however buying a second hand car with 60,000 miles makes me a bit nervous as I intend keeping this motor for at least the next 5-6 years.

Any thoughts opinions? Would I better off going down the years for lower mileage?

As a second questions...when buying a second hand car off a main dealer...do people still get all the checks done (mechanics check, cartell etc..) given that there would be a 1 year warranty

cheers

worded

If you go over 100k you may need a reasonably priced talented mechanics number in your phone. Statistically there is a higher chance of something going wrong/ parts wearing as the mileage goes higher.

djimi

60000 miles isnt a lot, provided that the car has a full and verifiable service history. The average is about 15k miles a year I think.

To be honest, Id be just as wary of a 6 year old car that has done 5k miles a year; cars need regular servicing regardless of mileage and too often people think that because a car only does small mileage they do not have to service it as regularly.

ironclaw

worded wrote: »

If you go over 100k you may need a reasonably priced talented mechanics number in your phone. Statistically there is a higher chance of something going wrong/ parts wearing as the mileage goes higher.

I wouldn't agree with that. A high mileage, well maintained car would be infinitely better than a low mileage, badly maintained car. You cannot merely state that a low mileage car is statistically better off. Way too many variables.

The history, owner care and general mechanic 'soundness' are more important than the mileage figure, in my opinion.

Ronnie Beck

worded wrote: »

If you go over 100k you may need a reasonably priced talented mechanics number in your phone. Statistically there is a higher chance of something going wrong/ parts wearing as the mileage goes higher.

Nonsense. You could buy a car with 90k miles, with a heap of consumables to do on it over the next 10k or so, or one with 110k with all that done already. 100k would be a popular timing belt change interval for example.

goochy

A low mileage car with no service history is a risky buy . Wear and tear occurs more through use than age of vehicle the higher mileage vehicle will be worth alot less when it reaches 100 k mls

Del2005

efwren wrote: »

Howdy,

I have never really put a huge amount of miles on any of my cars, but I now I am about to buy a second hand people carrier. I had a 10 year old polo before with about 70000 miles and thats by far the largest mileage on a car I have owned.

Based on my budget i am either going to be buying a 2010 s-max with say 60,000 miles, or a 2008 s-max with 30000 miles ( as an example).

both cars are spotless and have a 1.8 tdci.

My inclination is to go with the newer car as people carriers get lived in and abused by families..so newer obviously means less wear and tear, however buying a second hand car with 60,000 miles makes me a bit nervous as I intend keeping this motor for at least the next 5-6 years.

Any thoughts opinions? Would I better off going down the years for lower mileage?

Don't be overly worried about the mileage, as others have said a high mileage maintained car will be better than a low mileage car which has never seen a spanner. Buy the car on it's condition and google what parts need replacing at the mileage for the car.

With you mentioning people carriers after 2008 I'd easily go for a high mileage car. Too many people bought the wrong type of engine for their usage and there's a lot of stored up trouble coming.

efwren wrote: »

As a second questions...when buying a second hand car off a main dealer...do people still get all the checks done (mechanics check, cartell etc..) given that there would be a 1 year warranty
cheers

Yes, dealers sometimes sell lemons and it's easier to get things fixed on a car before you hand over a large wedge of cash.

efwren

Cheer, thanks for all the replies