2-3yr old Exec gamble?

[SonicHedgeHog]

The old new vs used dilemma. Has anyone bought a used 2-3yr old Audi/BMW/Merc/Jag and had major problems in the following 2-3years? If you did have problems was it because you took a chance on something that was a bit iffy or did you just get unlucky buying from a main dealer with all the bells and whistles?

[surveyor]

Bought a 3 year old 520d at auction. 110k to 150k over 18 months. Non routine spend =£15

[crazy about cars]

2-3 year old cars should just be coming out of warranty of have some warranty left. You get one year's manufacturers anyway and in some cases can be extended to two years.

It's definitely a big saving as someone else took the depreciation hit and you can end up with some pretty good deals. The car should also have full dealer history anyway so that's definitely a peace of mind. If you don't plan to keep long you can also consider financing on PCP which would net you even a better deal.

[davepoth]

I bought a 25 year old BMW once and nothing much went wrong. That said, it didn't even have fuel injection.

[Momentofmadness]

There is the chance of the odd pup too, rejected cars or that have a history of problems and have been traded in sooner rather than later... do your homework, ask questions, be picky and make sure the service history is bang on to support any unexpected future 'goodwill' problems.

Get an extended warrenty and get it serviced at the supplying dealer (but save a fortune by being savvy and getting brake discs / pads etc fitted from an independent before they get picked up at the main dealer service )

[alex290568]

3 year old C270 Cdi. Bought at 40,000 miles ran to 140,000, service parts plus one suspension link was all it cost.

3 year old E280 Cdi Avantgade. Bought 3 years ago for £13k at 45,000 miles, now at 98,000 miles. Routine service parts only to date. Still drives like new and I'm reluctant to swap it although PH will probably tell me it's about to explode and cost me £000's! Serviced with 5/30 fully synthetic every 12,000 no matter what the long life service indicator says.

[SV8Predator]

crazy about cars said:

It's definitely a big saving as someone else took the depreciation hit

What about the absolutely massive depreciation "hit" that you are going to suffer as second (or third) owner?

[SonicHedgeHog]

Thanks for the replies. Unless I buy something with intergalactic mileage I'm going to lose money in depreciation. I accept that. What I'm weighing up is buying a new hot hatch for something like £25k or a used car for the same money. I'm looking at all options because I'm really struggling to wrap my head around the price of new cars and used ones are so much better built than they used to be that they should be 'safe' bets. Good to hear people have positive experiences.

[0a]

2-3 years old is a gamble? I've done 20k miles in my 23 year old w124 without issue - why would a modern car fail after 2 years.

[Toltec]

SonicHedgeHog said:

Thanks for the replies. Unless I buy something with intergalactic mileage I'm going to lose money in depreciation. I accept that. What I'm weighing up is buying a new hot hatch for something like £25k or a used car for the same money. I'm looking at all options because I'm really struggling to wrap my head around the price of new cars and used ones are so much better built than they used to be that they should be 'safe' bets. Good to hear people have positive experiences.

How about spending around 18k on a used car, in three years it will be worth about the same as a £25K new car would be. You would be very unlucky to have to spend £7k in repairs, depending on your mileage you would be pretty unlucky to have spend anything at all other than for routine maintenance.

[JimmyConwayNW]

If it has full history you can sometimes buy a main dealer warranty even when not buying car from the main dealer especially on a vehicle only 2/3 years old.

Some quotes I have seen have not differed greatly from warranty direct etc

[GTIR]

My 07 E220 Merc did 460k and the only "issue" was a leaky injector (plus normal wear and tear items).

[Disco You]

Remember that BMWs warranties can be extended almost indefinitely for a very reasonable amount of money.

[anonymous-user]

0a said:

2-3 years old is a gamble? I've done 20k miles in my 23 year old w124 without issue - why would a modern car fail after 2 years.

Because many modern cars aren't built like a W124. Granted it's rare that a car would completely 'fail' after 2 years, but some do experience numerous issues from new.

[SonicHedgeHog]

Toltec said:

How about spending around 18k on a used car, in three years it will be worth about the same as a £25K new car would be. You would be very unlucky to have to spend £7k in repairs, depending on your mileage you would be pretty unlucky to have spend anything at all other than for routine maintenance.

Trouble with that is that £18k doesn't get you that much car in the 2-3 year old category. It's either higher than average mileage or undesirable spec.

I want sat nav. Not moveable on that. Anything with nav also comes with a load of other toys. No one specs a base model with loads of toys, so that means buying a fairly top of the range model. You don't get those for £18k. Cars are very expensive these days.

[va1o]

Would suggest buying one with a little warranty remaining than can extend it as already mentioned. The extended warranties are generally provided by Mondial who have a good reputation. Don't worry about mileage too much instead buy on condition and history. Agree on spec, Nav/ Leather/ Auto is 100% essential. If you're a cash buyer without PX auction is a good place to buy

[V88Dicky]

2010 - 3 year old Jag bought from main dealer. Ran for 3 years, rear park sensor replaced under warranty. No other problems.

2013 - 2 year old Jag bought from main dealer. So far, had the loose cable in the driver's door fixed under warranty (quite common). Nothing else so far.


Both petrol V8s btw.

[JimmyConwayNW]

C250 cdi saloon just over 2 years old most will come with Command System which is a good sat nav and loads will be coming off 10k per annum lease deals about now.

You should be able to get a very good one around the 18k mark if you shop around a bit.

[SonicHedgeHog]

Some really good info on this thread, Thanks guys.

[Shaoxter]

SonicHedgeHog said:

I want sat nav. Not moveable on that.

Get this for £20 and a satnav app for your smartphone (Copilot on Android costs £15). It will be easier to use, faster and more up to date than any built in satnav and you can also plan your route beforehand rather than having to waste time in the car. Don't know why so many people insist on a satnav option tbh.