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not just the engine wear though is it ? provided the oil has been changed regularly i dont think mileage is an issue regarding the engine itself. its stuff like, steering racks, suspension,fuel pumps, turbos,gearboxes where you are likely to get failures at big mileage.

its all a gamble really...some you win some you lose. if you can pay a couple of grand less for your high miler than a 50k car then if something does break you should cover that in what you saved in the first place

personally ive usually bought cars with 80k + on....the exception being the paj that has only just turned 60k.not really had a problem with any high miler ( touching large chunks of wood right now)

Quote: Originally posted by bev+jon on 24/9/2009

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not just the engine wear though is it ? provided the oil has been changed regularly i dont think mileage is an issue regarding the engine itself. its stuff like, steering racks, suspension,fuel pumps, turbos,gearboxes where you are likely to get failures at big mileage.

its all a gamble really...some you win some you lose. if you can pay a couple of grand less for your high miler than a 50k car then if something does break you should cover that in what you saved in the first place

personally ive usually bought cars with 80k + on....the exception being the paj that has only just turned 60k.not really had a problem with any high miler ( touching large chunks of wood right now)

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So true, & of course though there will  some cases where these items have actually been replaced & the owner will have the receipts etc to prove it, which again makes it a very different proposition - a rather more attractive one though !

There are such a lot of factors to take into account when buying a 2nd hand vehicle.

We have always done a lot of research if ever considering a make/model we've had no previous personal experience/knowledge of, then sit down & write out a list of criteria in order of importance. Next step after shortlisting some to enquire directly about is I write out a list of questions to ask the seller - if they can't/won't answer satisfactorily  the really important ones then we don't pursue that particular vehicle any farther... !

PS We personally, however would not consider a vehicle with an engine in it which had done over a certain mileage (obviously a higher mileage is acceptable in a diesel engine than a petrol one) as it's obviously had more wear & tear - they don't last for ever after all, unless the price allowed for replacing with a new or good reconditioned one, & also were prepared to go through with the hassle of doing so in the event of the engine actually conking out.

Post last edited on 24/09/2009 11:47:46

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Quote: Originally posted by bev+jon on 24/9/2009

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not just the engine wear though is it ? provided the oil has been changed regularly i dont think mileage is an issue regarding the engine itself. its stuff like, steering racks, suspension,fuel pumps, turbos,gearboxes where you are likely to get failures at big mileage.

its all a gamble really...some you win some you lose. if you can pay a couple of grand less for your high miler than a 50k car then if something does break you should cover that in what you saved in the first place

personally ive usually bought cars with 80k + on....the exception being the paj that has only just turned 60k.not really had a problem with any high miler ( touching large chunks of wood right now)<IMG alt=17 src="https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/forum_images/smiley2.gif" align=absMiddle>

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I am a bit confused as to why the constant references to low mileage cars as if it's practically a foregone conclusion that they will have been used either only for very short journeys, or in towns (or both) , and equally the seeming assumption that high mileage ones have been driven mainly on long ones & on motorways.

Just how does one know that ? And is it the case wherever in the country the cars have come from & whoever has owned them etc. Don't understand this at all.

I used to use my cars mainly for runs back & fore to work - just a few miles away but in many parts of Scotland & I imagine in other parts of the country that often does not mean congested town running ! However anyway they were HIGH mileage cars before I got them, (never mind after)- I couldn't afford anything else ! Neither was I a granny, I was childless & only in my 20's & then later in my 30's.

Most of my life when using the `main' car when part of a couple & we did have 2 cars, we used the `good' car for lots of things, but very rarely even on very long trips used motorways. Because we hate them !  - & there's  not a plethora of them all over Scotland anyway.

Also "to cover high mileages it means the car has travelled long distances" - well why ? Lots of cars - especially older ones - may have had several or even numerous owners, & each may not have used the car in the same way. Even one owner may well have used the car for lots of  short journeys. Especially if their job involves driving from town to town, & then around these towns.

My ex was a rep who had company cars, he did not actually ever "travel the length & breadth of the country  to meetings" though & nor did the rest of the reps - they did however hammer the poo out of the cars & clock up a lot of miles in a much shorter time than the average person who is not a `rep'.

Obviously everyone will not use vehicles in the same way as me,my ex, & my now husband, but obviously likewise this works the other way round too !

Sorry LDKO, just can't accept the principle that the majority of high mileage vehicles = long runs/motorway use etc, &  low mileage ones = opposite. Some yes, as a rule of thumb, no !

I have a Renault Megane Cc which is nearly 3 years old and has 19,000 on it, low  yes. But it does 20 miles a day to work and back, on motorway so it does get warmed up, and does go over 30mph!!

Its other use is weekends when it will do a fair few miles(especially when it is sunny and we put the top down!)

It has its services annually rather than on mileage. we have looked at trading it in and have been offered good prices on it because it is low mileage and like new!

I have had high mileage cars in the past and they have been ok, as long as they are properly maintained they can be good.

Our Kia Sorento has the higher miles because it is the towcar, but new one should be picked up today!

well finally tracked one down and its a galaxy 130 tdi ghia get it on wednesday

cheers all for the input