Buying a low average annual mileage used car

[creampuff]

I have a 2010 BMW 330d which has been owned as the family car since new. It's pushing 100,000 miles. Never failed an MOT but I suspect it might fail the next one on brake rotors, could also do with suspension being replaced and it doesn't have a steady idle when first started from cold. In other words, it's reaching the point where maintaining it will cost a significant proportion of the value. For a variety of reasons, but mostly the oil price crash, I also don't have any cash. That's the preamble.

I'm thinking about a 3-6 year old BMW as a replacement.

There are a few cars out there which are around 6 years old, are cheap for similar aged cars and don't have many miles on them. I'm eyeing up a 2012 BMW X3 which only has about 11,000 miles on it.

But I'm worried about buying a 6 year old car which has only averaged 2,000 miles a year.

Is low annual mileage something to worry about?

I'm really looking at this 6yo car with 11,000 miles on it or 4yo cars with 40,000 at the same price point.

[Camelot1971]

I don't understand how you don't have any cash but can afford another car??

To add, I would be a bit suspicious of a 4 year old car with only 11k on it, unless the history/previous owner made sense. I wouldn't buy a diesel with that low miles on it either (not sure if it is diesel or petrol).

[Turn7]

Better the devil you know I reckon..... few hundred with an Indie and off you.....

[Jag_NE]

Turn7 said:

Better the devil you know I reckon..... few hundred with an Indie and off you.....

Just admit it yourself that you fancy a new car instead of fannying on. The cost of putting your car right will be tiny compared to changing to a newer one that may well have a bunch of problems if it’s own.

[Momentofmadness]

^ what they said

[creampuff]

Camelot1971 said:

I don't understand how you don't have any cash but can afford another car??

I've got assets from before I was on the breadline.

Jag_NE said:

Just admit it yourself that you fancy a new car instead of fannying on. The cost of putting your car right will be tiny compared to changing to a newer one that may well have a bunch of problems if it’s own.

If I had to buy my car again, it would cost <£6000. I can see: new battery, new suspension, new brake rotors, something with fixing the idle speed plus stuff I don't even know about. I think pushing £2000, so that is a chunk of the value of the car. Plus Mrs Puff is losing confidence in it and she drives it more than I do. That's the main reason. I'd just keep it running.

Edited by creampuff on Sunday 13th May 19:39

[Turn7]

If you are skint, then a shed is the answer, not an X3....