06 ex police s60 t5 220,000 miles. Would you?

[Jon999]

Simple question really. 06 plate ex police motorway car. 220,000 miles. Screams run away but for £1000 it has potential to run into the ground then if something goes pop break it and ebay the bits does it not?

[PaulB81]

At that money assuming it didn't look a complete shed I'd be tempted. I believe they do get maintained well and anything needing doing will have been done.

[FeatherZ]

I would for a bag.

[VolvoT5]

PaulB81 said:

At that money assuming it didn't look a complete shed I'd be tempted. I believe they do get maintained well and anything needing doing will have been done.

Yes, I'm sure they replace all wear and tear items just before getting rid..........

I wouldn't touch it. 220k miles is really going some when done by a careful driver..... done by a police driver... no thanks.

[PaulB81]

VolvoT5 said:

Yes, I'm sure they replace all wear and tear items just before getting rid..........

I wouldn't touch it. 220k miles is really going some when done by a careful driver..... done by a police driver... no thanks.

I meant as and when they needed to be done over the cars lifetime. If its one of these it will be a motorway car. Hopefully won't have been ragged over too many speed bumps etc

[VolvoT5]

PaulB81 said:

I meant as and when they needed to be done over the cars lifetime. If its one of these it will be a motorway car. Hopefully won't have been ragged over too many speed bumps etc

Just watching these police programs like road wars is enough to put me off. Even the 'motorway cars' get driven very hard.

Also, given the current economic climate, I'm not really sure I buy the 'maintained regardless of cost' argument that a lot of people make and I'm inclined to believe that if the police are moving it on then it must be well and truely shagged.

I'm suppose for 1k I'm being a bit negative. If it has MOT then it might be ok for 1 years motoring... but it would still be a bit risky IMO.

[Jon999]

A lex said:

Tread very carefully.

Is it a manual or auto? Turbo could well be near the end of its life etc etc.

Might last a year, might last an hour - who knows!

Also, it doesnt scream massive value at 1000gbp - I only paid 70 more for my 1yr older V70 t5.

Manual. Car is actually up for £2000 at a dealer and has been for a while. Mileage will put 99.99% of people off buying it so I was thinking wave £1k and see what happens. I thought £1000 was cheap but your example sounds like a bargain.

Edit: Noticed your car is a 2001 this is a 2006 so 5 years newer.

[BE57 TOY]

Jon999 said:

Simple question really. 06 plate ex police motorway car. 220,000 miles. Screams run away but for £1000 it has potential to run into the ground then if something goes pop break it and ebay the bits does it not?

I wouldn't touch it with yours! It's at the end of its life whichever way you look at it.

[Jon999]

Forgot to add the seller said new engine fitted at 180,000 miles (iirc he said that mileage or there abouts) Didn't follow up asking about evidence as tbh I lost interest when the mileage was mentioned.

Car in question http://www.motorzoneltd.co.uk/used-cars/volvo-s60-...

[StevieB]

I was thinking about ex cop cars myself but read some reviews on another site about this issue, including some from cops themselves-basically they said;

the Volvos were pretty unreliable, they were thrashed from cold, by the time they get rid, they've pretty much had it.

So basically don't!! - and this was from ex or current police officers themselves who see how they are treated!!

[Phil Dicky]

BE57 TOY said:

I wouldn't touch it with yours! It's at the end of its life whichever way you look at it.

End of its life?...theres another 80k left in that car....and for the poster who claimied being driven by the Police is a down side. Its will have spent 3/4 of its life sat at 56 on the motorway basically at tick over, so not really a stressful life for a car.

[Phil Dicky]

StevieB said:

the Volvos were pretty unreliable, they were thrashed from cold, by the time they get rid, they've pretty much had it.

So basically don't!! - and this was from ex or current police officers themselves who see how they are treated!!

In my day a car was never really left standing to get cold, hence the high miles

[ilovevolvo]

Phil Dicky said:

End of its life?...theres another 80k left in that car....and for the poster who claimied being driven by the Police is a down side. Its will have spent 3/4 of its life sat at 56 on the motorway basically at tick over, so not really a stressful life for a car.

You forgot the part about being driven up kerbs at speed etc etc don't do it !

[elanfan]

This one's £1200 with 113000 miles:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3620379.htm



and why is the one posted earlier Blue? I thought most jam sandwiches were white!

[Fire99]

You've gotta love the 'One owner from new' advert. Only owned by the entire Police force.

I've found Volvo parts not especially cheap, and add on a few 'service' parts and it soon stops being a bit of a bargain. If you go over it with a fine tooth combe, it could be a good bet.

[J4CKO]

Jesus, what a load of old women, "Ooo it may have been mistreated", "It may need therapy", it isn't a rescue dog that has been bummed daily that will eat your face if you go behind it, its an old Volvo, check it over or get it checked and if it is ok and cheap, buy it, if not dont. It had a new engine, the suspension and brakes will have been fixed if driven up kerbs, otherwise it will be apparent in the way it drives, these arent complex cars really, 5 cylinder engine driven the front wheels through a manual gearbox, struts and wishbones, a roll bar and some bushes. Drive it and see how it feels.

[tgr]

Might suit you if your name is Jon999... But to answer your question it all depends on whether fixing problems is more trouble to you than it is worth. There are plenty of modernish cars around these days (see other threads) that haven't been utterly and completely worn down by mechanically unsympathetic rozzers. I wouldn't take the risk, personally, but you might, depending on your personality, spare time, mechanical aptitude etc

[ArsE92]

Don't forget to factor in replacing the springs and shocks on the left hand side as Police cars have stiffer left side suspension for going around roundabouts quicker.

[Oli.]

It would have been well used, but also well looked after. At 220k, with a full history andfor a grand, I say go for it. There is loads of life left in it yet, especially as a new engine was fitted not long again. you could spend your grand on worse things.

[Jon999]

Would be a second car come hobby come mini project. Wouldn't be my primary vehicle. Might go have a look at it today just out of interest.