Age and mileage

[ChrisH72]

Looking for a little reassurance really please.

I've just put a small holding deposit on a car which I'm viewing on Monday. It's a 2017 on 66 plate but has 67k miles. Now in the past I've only ever bought low mileage cars but this one is a great price and ticks all the boxes. It has full main dealer history.

Should be okay right?

Or is that mileage a problem in terms of a cars condition and resale after another 3 years and around 24k miles?

It's a small hot hatch by the way, not a mile munching diesel.

[Eyersey1234]

I don't see a problem with a 6 year old car having 91ishk on the clock.

[ZX10R NIN]

I wouldn't see the mileage as an issue if it's reflected in the price then go for it.

[ChrisH72]

Great. Apparently I can have the car alone for half an hour on test. Anything I should particularly look out for?

[ZX10R NIN]

Check everything listen for any unwanted noises & do your usual checks.

[ChrisH72]

Okay I will do.

It's a shame I haven't managed to sell my car first but I'll need to see if the numbers add up. It does look a good opportunity and is considerably cheaper than any others with average mileage.

[Mr Tidy]

Well it ought to be way cheaper than average mileage models.

But as someone already said selling when it's 6 years old on around 90K shouldn't be a problem as it won't be much above average by then!

Years ago I bought an ex-company car very cheap from an employer just before it's 3rd birthday and when I took it for it's first MOT it had done 97K miles! And it still turned out to be one of my better purchases.

[ChrisH72]

Thanks Mr T.

I think I'm going to go for it unless there's something seriously wrong with it. It's just I've only ever bought low mileage in the past. Not that it's ever done me much good come sale/trade time!

[Fastpedeller]

At least you know it's a genuine mileage - Nobody would clock it by adding miles
If the price is right I'd certainly consider it a good buy, and better than all the 'only done 30k miles' which may actually be 70k.

[Dolf Stoppard]

Just remember lots of components will wear out based on mileage, not just age. So be prepared for some bills. You therefore need to make sure the price reflects this.

I also don't want to put you off, but some cars wear their miles better than others. A 5 Series with 60k will feel quite different to a Suzuki Swift with the same mileage.

[Vipers]

Bought my 02 Volvo S80 in 2005 as an ex demonstrator, just passed 140,0000 and going well.

[cologne2792]

I was looking at an 11 year old Ford Ranger with 240k.

It was straight and rust free and as the mileage was reflected in the price it wouldn't put me off.

[ChrisH72]

Dolf Stoppard said:

Just remember lots of components will wear out based on mileage, not just age. So be prepared for some bills. You therefore need to make sure the price reflects this.

I also don't want to put you off, but some cars wear their miles better than others. A 5 Series with 60k will feel quite different to a Suzuki Swift with the same mileage.

It's a mk7 Fiesta ST3. And I'm coming from an E92 BMW.

Price is 75% of the average mileage ones so quite a difference. It's at main dealers too.

I nearly bought one 3 years ago but it was out of budget. Drove brilliantly though. Price of this one is just in budget really, I would find it hard to stretch any more.

I'm not too worried about maintenance costs on a Ford coming from BMW!

[Fastpedeller]

We bought an old Mondeo 20 years ago - 108k car at £400 (same age fiesta were c£1000), ran it for 4 years, great car, didn't owe us a penny. Went round to about 200k, but only showed 190k, as the speedo drive in the 'box had packed up so we used the rev counter as a guide to speed

[ChrisH72]

Well, thanks for the replies.

Deal is done and I'm a happy man. It might be a bit leggy but it drove well with no unwanted noises or issues. Body and interior very clean. Obviously just motorway miles. One owner car with full dealer history, just been serviced and MOT'd and a 12 month warranty. What could possibly go wrong haha!?

[ZX10R NIN]

Glad you got sorted OP.

[ChrisH72]

ZX, many thanks again for all the car recommendations over the past few months. You are a PH legend!

I went round in circles and eventually went for one of the cars I mentioned in my very first thread. The Fiesta ST-3, which I believe was the one you recommended at the time.

[ZX10R NIN]

It's better to go through the options, then get the car your happy with rather than jump in & not be happy or wondering what if.

[fourstardan]

Depends on the background of the car, the manufacture etc and how long you will keep it.

In bought my current Passat that had 58k (I think) on it @ 2 years old with warranty left.

My view was I'd be reducing total mileage over the forthcoming years and driving around in a really nice car still within warranty.

[ChrisH72]

Same here Dan.

I could tell by the condition and history that they were just motorway miles. My annual mileage is fairly low so it’ll come down over the next few years.