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

  • 13-06-2013 02:15PM
    #1
    efwren
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 141 ✭✭


    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


Comments

  • #2
    worded
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,908 ✭✭✭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.


  • #3
    djimi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,234 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #4
    ironclaw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,994 ✭✭✭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.


  • #5
    Ronnie Beck
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,451 ✭✭✭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.


  • #6
    goochy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,583 ✭✭✭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


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  • #7
    Del2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,148 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #8
    efwren
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 141 ✭✭efwren


    Cheer, thanks for all the replies


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