Should I prioritise age or mileage in used car purchase?

patg

I am weighing up merits of two different cars and see a dealer offering 2 models of each.

Both times the older car 2006 is about a EUR1,000 cheaper (EUR7k x EUR8k) despite having LOWER mileage on the clock (in both cases about 60k miles compared to 100k on the 2007 models.

As there appears to be little difference on both cars between 2006 and 2007 models - the price difference can only be attributed to the age, however I would have thought the mileage would be a more serious issue to consider.

Am I missing something?

challengemaster

Prioritise condition of the car above all else.

Scortho

I'd prioritise condition.
I'd rather a car with 100k in good condition that's been looked after than one with 60 k that hasn't.

rocky

fuel type > engine size / power> condition > spec > .......... > age

djimi

Age is only a number stuck on a piece of metal on the front of the car.

If the lower mileage cars have service histories and are in good condition then it wouldnt cost me a thought to save myself some money by buying the older car.

Idbatterim

unless one is a newer model or facelift model and it isnt comparing a CC based v emission based DEFINITELY go for condition and mileage, bear in mind residuals too. I reckon in a few years, it will be way easier selling an 80-90k mile car than a 1 year newer 120-130 mile example for instance... do you have a link to the car in question op? A jump of only one year would never sway me...

CiniO

I'd definitely prioritize age, not mileage.

With bigger mileage, it's mostly mechanical parts that wear down (like engine, gearbox, suspension, steering, exhaust). All those can be replaced unlimited number of times.
With age, bodywork gets rusty, and if this goes into some extended level, there's very little you can do anymore.

Also mileage is quite easy to cheat on, so you never can be 100% sure that mileage is true.
Real age also sometimes might be hidden, but it's much less frequent occurance than clocked cars.

For me it's the vehicle age which should be the main factor in it's value, while mileage only cause some small adjustment to that price.

colm_mcm

It's not like you're comparing a 2007 and a 1999 though Cinio,

Bpmull

colm_mcm wrote: »

It's not like you're comparing a 2007 and a 1999 though Cinio,

Considering there is only a year between them they could easily have been built at the same time one just regd later than the other. I think age is only a big thing if your talking 4-5 years in the difference otherwise it down to mileage service history what condition the car is in.

CiniO

colm_mcm wrote: »

It's not like you're comparing a 2007 and a 1999 though Cinio,

I was referring more in general.
Indeed OP's case where one car is only one year older, but has nearly half the mileage, and is 12.5% cheaper seems above average difference.

renofan

challengemaster wrote: »

Prioritise condition of the car above all else.

Exactly as Mr. Challengenmaster has said. Condition of the car is tops for me. I don't give a crap about the 1st two digits on the thing attached to the front and back of a car.

Get someone who knows the car you are looking at to have a look at it for you and take it from there.

galwaytt

patg wrote: »

I am weighing up merits of two different cars and see a dealer offering 2 models of each.

Both times the older car 2006 is about a EUR1,000 cheaper (EUR7k x EUR8k) despite having LOWER mileage on the clock (in both cases about 60k miles compared to 100k on the 2007 models.

As there appears to be little difference on both cars between 2006 and 2007 models - the price difference can only be attributed to the age, however I would have thought the mileage would be a more serious issue to consider.

Am I missing something?

Neither. Condition and history. Age and mileage come 3rd and 4th on the list.

patg

Thanks to all for replies above.
Lots of advice - gratefully appreciated.

Idbatterim wrote: »

do you have a link to the car in question op? A jump of only one year would never sway me...

Theres been some change in availability since the original post, but whats left available shows a similar odd relationship between price, age, mileage

(all points about condition accepted - I haven't had a look on site yet - that will come on Sunday - but assuming all are in good nick, any thoughts on the value on offer here:

Toyotal Corolla Verso
2004; 60k miles €7k:
http://www.cbg.ie/Toyota_Corolla_Verso_1.6_2004_Dublin
2005; 97k miles €7k:
http://www.cbg.ie/Toyota_Corolla_Verso_1.6_2005_Dublin

Volvo S40
2006; 98k miles €7k: http://www.cbg.ie/Volvo_S40_1.8_2006_Dublin-Petrol_Black
2007; 69k miles €8k: http://www.cbg.ie/Volvo_S40_1.8_2007_Dublin

bazz26

Seems a little odd that you would be looking at a 7 seat MPV or a small compact saloon as an alternative. Surely if you have need for a 7 seat MPV then the Volvo wouldn't be suitable or vice versa?

Looks like both Versos are base models with no air conditioning which would be enough to rule both out for me. MPVs have lots of large windows which can turn the interior into a green house so air conditioning is essential.

Also are you aware that the 07 S40 is the 1.8f flex fuel model which is designed to run on either unleaded and/or bioethanol? Bioethanol was cheap when it was available here which made up for the poor mpg but it's no longer sold in Republic so be prepared for higher running costs and servicing every 10k km.

patg

Bazz - yes I know looks like random selections - there is a logic..

We have a c-max now, so the second car will either be verso - full on family car and c- max to be commute /second family car; or c-max to stay as family car which will be ok certainly for couple years til nippers are older, and the Volvo could be the run around/ half decent commute car.

You've made some good points about verso A/C, sounds like should think again about volvo's efficiency...

Any suggestions on similar class vehicles instead of Volvo - needing to get good value rather than anything showy..!

bazz26

Honda Civic:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/Civic/1.8i-SE/36313817600424350/