Would you buy a 5 year old car with 5k miles on the clock?
Discussion
I have scanned the forum and there have been some interesting comments made in the past. Such as assumptions on lower mileage being due to short trips and engine not up to temperature.
This particular example was for motorway use. I know this as I know the owner.
My concerns are that things degrade over time. If something is not driven as much, spends time connected to a battery tender most of the time… would there be significant natural wear and tear? For example, being prone to leaks?
The interior is so clean and new you could eat your dinner from it. Service is up to date. Four stamps on the electronic history. Main dealer. Verified by calling dealer who knows the car.
This particular example was for motorway use. I know this as I know the owner.
My concerns are that things degrade over time. If something is not driven as much, spends time connected to a battery tender most of the time… would there be significant natural wear and tear? For example, being prone to leaks?
The interior is so clean and new you could eat your dinner from it. Service is up to date. Four stamps on the electronic history. Main dealer. Verified by calling dealer who knows the car.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 5th September 08:29
Not quite the same, but the last 2 motorbikes I've bought have been 5/6 years old, with <1400 miles on them.
No problems whatsoever, apart from wondering how to spend the huge amount I saved.
Differences: motorbike consumables like tyres get changed more often, and there's no rubber parts in the suspension.
They were stored indoors, and rather than do lots of short trips, were generally not used for most of the time. So it depends how the car has been used. A petrol car doing short journeys could have a rusty exhaust. Diesel: trouble with dpf? Both fuels could suffer excessive wear if never warmed up.
I think with cars it also comes down to the specific model. Technology moves on a lot with cars (Dab, touch screens, ambient lighting) whereas with a bike you're lucky to get a clock.
Rust protection is generally good on cars nowadays, and cars generally handle miles better than bikes.
So a 5 year old car with 30k is still considered low mileage, and might be a better bet rather than pay a premium for a ultra low mileage but older example.
The only other thing I would look for is whether fluids have been changed per age, rather than mileage.. and tyres might also be aging, despite having lots of tread.
Hth
Ian
No problems whatsoever, apart from wondering how to spend the huge amount I saved.
Differences: motorbike consumables like tyres get changed more often, and there's no rubber parts in the suspension.
They were stored indoors, and rather than do lots of short trips, were generally not used for most of the time. So it depends how the car has been used. A petrol car doing short journeys could have a rusty exhaust. Diesel: trouble with dpf? Both fuels could suffer excessive wear if never warmed up.
I think with cars it also comes down to the specific model. Technology moves on a lot with cars (Dab, touch screens, ambient lighting) whereas with a bike you're lucky to get a clock.
Rust protection is generally good on cars nowadays, and cars generally handle miles better than bikes.
So a 5 year old car with 30k is still considered low mileage, and might be a better bet rather than pay a premium for a ultra low mileage but older example.
The only other thing I would look for is whether fluids have been changed per age, rather than mileage.. and tyres might also be aging, despite having lots of tread.
Hth
Ian
Camelot1971 said:
80 miles a month just for motorway use?
Yes, she’s a practice partner but worked from a satellite clinic in a village not too far. One or two clinics a month. Around an hour of driving one way would be my guess. The rest were local trips in her VW Fox. She loved the Fox but it felt hopeless on inclines so bought a separate motorway only car. 
Super_GP said:
Yes, she’s a practice partner but worked from a satellite clinic in a village not too far. One or two clinics a month. Around an hour of driving one way would be my guess. The rest were local trips in her VW Fox. She loved the Fox but it felt hopeless on inclines so bought a separate motorway only car.
Ahhh the old “One lady doctor owner” car…. Nurburgsingh said:
Super_GP said:
Yes, she’s a practice partner but worked from a satellite clinic in a village not too far. One or two clinics a month. Around an hour of driving one way would be my guess. The rest were local trips in her VW Fox. She loved the Fox but it felt hopeless on inclines so bought a separate motorway only car.
Ahhh the old “One lady doctor owner” car…. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff