Buying really high mileage car
Discussion
I've been looking for a new-to-me pickup truck for a while. I've just seen one in the exact make, colour and spec that has been number 1 on my want list, BUT it's got over 230k (apparently motorway) miles on the clock. Just passed an MOT with no advisories and got loads of stamps in book including a recent new gearbox. It's a 2015 plate and it's a few grand under my budget.
I'm thinking that at that price I could take a punt and stick it straight in the garage for a really good check over/possible engine overhaul with the money left over in my budget. But my sensible head says no - would you do it?
I'm thinking that at that price I could take a punt and stick it straight in the garage for a really good check over/possible engine overhaul with the money left over in my budget. But my sensible head says no - would you do it?
revver321 said:
I've been looking for a new-to-me pickup truck for a while. I've just seen one in the exact make, colour and spec that has been number 1 on my want list, BUT it's got over 230k (apparently motorway) miles on the clock. Just passed an MOT with no advisories and got loads of stamps in book including a recent new gearbox. It's a 2015 plate and it's a few grand under my budget.
I'm thinking that at that price I could take a punt and stick it straight in the garage for a really good check over/possible engine overhaul with the money left over in my budget. But my sensible head says no - would you do it?
At what price?I'm thinking that at that price I could take a punt and stick it straight in the garage for a really good check over/possible engine overhaul with the money left over in my budget. But my sensible head says no - would you do it?
There's no mention anywhere on any of the MOTs of anything other than a tyre getting low or a chip in the windscreen so I'm guessing it's been well looked after - no oil leaks or rust. I've seen a video of underneath and of it running and there's no smoke etc, it looks clean underneath
How much cheaper is the high mileage truck in comparison to a lower mileage model (same year / spec etc)?
It sounds like its looked after, but needs to be cheap to cover any ongoing maintenance. BTW £2.5k aint going to "overhaul" an engine, maybe a timing chain and major service. Budget 10 - 15k for a fully rebuilt motor, with new turbos, injectors etc, or a crate replacement.
It sounds like its looked after, but needs to be cheap to cover any ongoing maintenance. BTW £2.5k aint going to "overhaul" an engine, maybe a timing chain and major service. Budget 10 - 15k for a fully rebuilt motor, with new turbos, injectors etc, or a crate replacement.
230k in 9 years is 25k a year, or 100 miles every weekday. Thats almost certainly been running up and down motorways.
in theory, while the engine mileage may be high, other components should be as they are on any other 9 year old car, so pretty good. and arguably, engines like to be run up to temperature and used.
as long as there is evidence of good servicing, its probably absolutely fine.
in theory, while the engine mileage may be high, other components should be as they are on any other 9 year old car, so pretty good. and arguably, engines like to be run up to temperature and used.
as long as there is evidence of good servicing, its probably absolutely fine.
Worth an inspection?
I recently bought a Mk7.5 Golf Estate that is ex-Network Rail. Being a lease, I know it was serviced on time and I bought it with the infamous VW waterpump changed. Curiously, it has a 72mph limiter so my logic is it's had a relatively easy life during its 110,000 miles.
More importantly, as it's been purchased for mundane trips only, I drive it well within itself. However, the brakes feel warped under hard pressure, and I imagine at this sort of mileage the suspension bushes etc. must surely be past their best. But, at £6k I have bought it to run into the ground and plan to spend nothing other than fuel.
So really its a case of how much the pickup is? I wouldn't buy anything where you would end up spending more on repairs than the value of it (unless its your pride and joy, of course!).
I recently bought a Mk7.5 Golf Estate that is ex-Network Rail. Being a lease, I know it was serviced on time and I bought it with the infamous VW waterpump changed. Curiously, it has a 72mph limiter so my logic is it's had a relatively easy life during its 110,000 miles.
More importantly, as it's been purchased for mundane trips only, I drive it well within itself. However, the brakes feel warped under hard pressure, and I imagine at this sort of mileage the suspension bushes etc. must surely be past their best. But, at £6k I have bought it to run into the ground and plan to spend nothing other than fuel.
So really its a case of how much the pickup is? I wouldn't buy anything where you would end up spending more on repairs than the value of it (unless its your pride and joy, of course!).
High mileage enthusiast here, bought a transit a few years back that had done 25k a year, every year for 9 years with the same company. Drove better than similar examples with a quarter of the miles. Put a quick 50k on it and then electrical gremlins got to it.
Just sold my 2017 E-class on 200k, was absolutely faultless mechanically.
Cars like to be used!
Just sold my 2017 E-class on 200k, was absolutely faultless mechanically.
Cars like to be used!
High mileage wouldn't overly bother me.
The highest mileage car I bought was on 220k and was an old audi coupe gt. From the little I drove it (I bought it for spares to feed the 'beast' URQ I had at the time) it all looked and felt solid.
In fact most of the 50+ second hand cars I've bought have been >100k miles. If the buyer comes across as someone who would look after their car and it's had relatively few owners and a good service history the risk is relatively low and in fact I'd say it's no higher than buying any other second hand car that's nearly 10 years old.
If it were me depending on when it was last serviced I'd take it for a service and get the suspension, tyres and brakes a good looking over. Other than that I'd just get on with driving and enjoying it!
The highest mileage car I bought was on 220k and was an old audi coupe gt. From the little I drove it (I bought it for spares to feed the 'beast' URQ I had at the time) it all looked and felt solid.
In fact most of the 50+ second hand cars I've bought have been >100k miles. If the buyer comes across as someone who would look after their car and it's had relatively few owners and a good service history the risk is relatively low and in fact I'd say it's no higher than buying any other second hand car that's nearly 10 years old.
If it were me depending on when it was last serviced I'd take it for a service and get the suspension, tyres and brakes a good looking over. Other than that I'd just get on with driving and enjoying it!
revver321 said:
It's a few grand under my budget.
I'm thinking that at that price I could take a punt and stick it straight in the garage for a really good check over/possible engine overhaul with the money left over in my budget.
Do that, and you undermine the main reason for buying it - cheapness. Spending the remains of your budget won't add a penny in value, and you're still left with a moon-mileage pickup.I'm thinking that at that price I could take a punt and stick it straight in the garage for a really good check over/possible engine overhaul with the money left over in my budget.
Only sensible approach IMO would be to buy it and run it.
In reality you've no idea whether it's been used mostly on the motorway, or very intensively every day, all day going around on one trip after another.
For me the biggest question would be whether I'd be sure to hold on to it for a good few years.
Selling stuff at that mileage can be a complete ball-ache.
For me the biggest question would be whether I'd be sure to hold on to it for a good few years.
Selling stuff at that mileage can be a complete ball-ache.
thelostboy said:
Worth an inspection?
I recently bought a Mk7.5 Golf Estate that is ex-Network Rail...at £6k I have bought it to run into the ground and plan to spend nothing other than fuel.
They got any more on sale, lostboy? I recently bought a Mk7.5 Golf Estate that is ex-Network Rail...at £6k I have bought it to run into the ground and plan to spend nothing other than fuel.
the clutch on my sheddy Cat N TT is wearing out and it's time I replace it!dan98 said:
In reality you've no idea whether it's been used mostly on the motorway, or very intensively every day, all day going around on one trip after another.
For me the biggest question would be whether I'd be sure to hold on to it for a good few years.
Selling stuff at that mileage can be a complete ball-ache.
Bolster wear comes to mind as a possible way of identifying usage. A car that's gotten into and out of twice a day to do 100+ miles will see noticeably less wear than one that has been used for multiple short trips with lots of jumping in and out?For me the biggest question would be whether I'd be sure to hold on to it for a good few years.
Selling stuff at that mileage can be a complete ball-ache.
I have been considering the high mile club myself recently, something well maintained etc. In fact, something 8 years old with 200k on it has almost certainly covered long motorway journeys, little use of brakes, little use of gear box, little impact on suspension components and the engine will be sitting largely at the lower end of the rev range for most of its miles. The key is, to try to be as certain as possible it is a motorway car/van etc.
Some telling signs will be the usual wear points, there should be limited wear on a high miler that has covered motorway miles with regard to pedals, gear knob, steering wheel, seats and bolsters etc. A town car with half the miles will show reasonable wear in these areas.
All in all, it is worth a shout, but don't spend anything you don't need to if all the maintenance is up to date. Keep the cash in your back pocket for any potential problems.
One final consideration, are you planning on putting a further 25k a year on this? That could change things a little...
Some telling signs will be the usual wear points, there should be limited wear on a high miler that has covered motorway miles with regard to pedals, gear knob, steering wheel, seats and bolsters etc. A town car with half the miles will show reasonable wear in these areas.
All in all, it is worth a shout, but don't spend anything you don't need to if all the maintenance is up to date. Keep the cash in your back pocket for any potential problems.
One final consideration, are you planning on putting a further 25k a year on this? That could change things a little...
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