Is a relatively new low mil car with several owners a bad sign?

UnhappyCustomer

I’m looking into second hand cars and I can see cars from 2019 and 2020 with 2 or more owners but a relatively low mileage.

Between 30 and 50k kms

is this a bad sign? Maybe they’re passing because something is wrong with the car?

MojoMaker

Generally (but not always) an urban myth.

Plenty of reasons a car would have more than 2 owners in 3-4 years. Many early adopting EV drivers upgraded annually before prices went bananas.

UnhappyCustomer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121227437#Comment_121227437

How could you identify that? Do you think is there any indicator?

Miscreant

Some of those cars could have been "Demo" models registered to the garage so would have at least 2 owners anyway. It would not overly concern me as long as there is a full service history and evidence that the car has been looked after. With a 3 or 4 year old car, I would tend to buy it from a reputable garage anyway so there is a little bit of peace of mind in the purchase.

User1998

Nothing wrong 2 owners on 4 year old car. Probably nothing suspicious about 3 owners either, it’s just a bit less desirable when selling on.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058317840/is-a-relatively-new-low-mil-car-with-several-owners-a-bad-sign

4 year old car. 2 owners wouldn’t bother me.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058317840/is-a-relatively-new-low-mil-car-with-several-owners-a-bad-sign

Could be a car that went from one family member to another, husband to wife for example

That immediately makes it two owners, and if it was bought second hand then it'll become 3 owners quickly enough

frank730

I am the 11th owner of my last car, it's a micra so people buy it to learn driving and sell it once they passed the test. car in perfect condition.

loopymum

Run a history check

ted1

Could be a person buying a ev and realising they don’t have a home charger or that the range doesn’t suit them

pale rider

Lots of people are low mileage drivers, my 17 car has 3 owners and 74 kms and I’m the 3rd owner, I have it 3 years.

gipi

Remember that during 2020\21 many people didn't travel (or travel far) due to the pandemic,so low mileage might not be a bad issue.

Could PCP deals explain multiple owners?

Or "selling" a car to a family member to avoid motor tax arrears?