Alphard or Maxi Life- easy choice or not ?

[smallzoo]

Have a choice between these two as a simple day van ( 2nd car ) for my wife and I and our two dogs..we will do about 4k miles a year max

2005 Toyota Alphard 2.4 petrol 7 seater, import , 64k miles, been told nothing wrong with it. Owner had it since february 2026
Asking £ 6500

OR

2015, 2.0 tdi caddy maxi life 7 seater, dsg highline, fsh, adblue deleted, high miles 248k but owner has it for years and says it drives as per age not mileage
Asking £2000

If it lasts us a few years we will be happy

[Doesitdrive]

Hmmm, 6500 for a twenty year plus vehicle?

2.4 japs I have owned have been less than economical, older though,

Parts might not be so easy , especially bodywork.

For me the VW diesel, but then I like diesels.

[smallzoo]

Thanks

So is 248k nothing to be worried about if its had proper oil changes etc ?

[_Rodders_]

They're totally different propositions. At £2k if anything serious goes wrong you've got the option to scrap it and it's not the end of the world. Bit different for a £6500 vehicle.

I keep an eye on Alphards. £4k is around the bottom of the market for something presentable with reasonable MOT. Parts are available online and even from UK dealers for some bits.

At that age it's all down to condition, very little to do with mileage.

[Doesitdrive]

smallzoo said:

Thanks

So is 248k nothing to be worried about if its had proper oil changes etc ?

Not at all, I sold a 2011 Fiesta 1.25 with history and 236k to a friend's daughter, 4 years and well over 250k it was written off. I did do the belt and water pump on it.

Any used car is a gamble, but one that has done miles ain't a lemon, it wouldn't have got there. Not without being looked after either.

I bought a 2009 E Class with 386k, it had a Mercedes full health check at 380k, slight wear on a ball joint and inside of rear tyre was all that was noted, doing sterling service in Nigeria now lol.

[smallzoo]

Am I rushing this...

If I was to restrict to under £5k are there motors big enough for us ( 2/3 seats in front, 2 seats/bench seat at back, space in middle for dogs to lie down and maybe a very mini kitchen ) ?

Just seen a 2010 1,6tdi caddy maxi life already kitted out with rock n roll bed, fsh, 116k miles £4995

[smallzoo]

Am I rushing this...

If I was to restrict to under £5k are there motors big enough for us ( 2/3 seats in front, 2 seats/bench seat at back, space in middle for dogs to lie down and maybe a very mini kitchen ) ?

Just seen a 2010 1,6tdi caddy maxi life already kitted out with rock n roll bed, fsh, 116k miles £4995