Spotting a high mileage hero ahead of time...
Discussion
Hi Gents - can you spot a high mileage hero ahead of time? I am not a petrol head and am not fussed with cars generally. If I set out to find a car at circa 100k miles and intend to drive it daily (approx. 9,000 miles a year), to 200k miles with normal servicing and reasonable maintenance/replacement costs - what would you look for?
We are a regular family of 5 - we currently have a 7 seater, but could possibly reduce down to 5 seats.
Volvo V70? Skoda Superb/Octavia? Honda something?
How does one go about finding and predicting a car has a very high chance of being reliable and low hassle?
I believe I would want it to be a simple as possible, no ad blu, no catalytic converter, no extraneous stupid systems layered over the top of the engine (EU emissions systems etc). Possibly 2014 - 2017?
We are a regular family of 5 - we currently have a 7 seater, but could possibly reduce down to 5 seats.
Volvo V70? Skoda Superb/Octavia? Honda something?
How does one go about finding and predicting a car has a very high chance of being reliable and low hassle?
I believe I would want it to be a simple as possible, no ad blu, no catalytic converter, no extraneous stupid systems layered over the top of the engine (EU emissions systems etc). Possibly 2014 - 2017?
My answer is always 520d will eat the family miles in comfort. Mines on 150k and feels brand new
They had several egr recalls so that's one maintenance item not needed. On top of that the engine super solid and they're cheap second hand and actually nimble for its size in the twisty bits
Getting a car without a cat means early 90s I think? All cars have various euro engine systems. Petrol is simpler for some and 9k a year you're maybe in the threshold of petrol Vs diesel but diesel certainly more durable to 200k
They had several egr recalls so that's one maintenance item not needed. On top of that the engine super solid and they're cheap second hand and actually nimble for its size in the twisty bits
Getting a car without a cat means early 90s I think? All cars have various euro engine systems. Petrol is simpler for some and 9k a year you're maybe in the threshold of petrol Vs diesel but diesel certainly more durable to 200k
Skoda Enyaq like this one?
21 plate on 127k miles for under £10k. Could be a very cost effective way of piling on the miles.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510237...
21 plate on 127k miles for under £10k. Could be a very cost effective way of piling on the miles.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510237...
v8notbrave said:
My answer is always 520d will eat the family miles in comfort. Mines on 150k and feels brand new
They had several egr recalls so that's one maintenance item not needed. On top of that the engine super solid and they're cheap second hand and actually nimble for its size in the twisty bits
Getting a car without a cat means early 90s I think? All cars have various euro engine systems. Petrol is simpler for some and 9k a year you're maybe in the threshold of petrol Vs diesel but diesel certainly more durable to 200k
I have a G31 as wellThey had several egr recalls so that's one maintenance item not needed. On top of that the engine super solid and they're cheap second hand and actually nimble for its size in the twisty bits
Getting a car without a cat means early 90s I think? All cars have various euro engine systems. Petrol is simpler for some and 9k a year you're maybe in the threshold of petrol Vs diesel but diesel certainly more durable to 200k
Mine is a 2018 on 70k and feels new, the BMW dealer even remarked on how little needed doing (no upsell on jobs at all).
I think the previous model (F10/F11) has also held up v well.
Most cars if regulary serviced will do good miles. My family car is a 318d E91 2012 - just past it's MOT this week with nearly 180,000 miles on the clock.
The other work hack I use daily, probably is getting to survivor status, a 2008 Vectra petrol with nearly 190,000 miles on it, both run and are in daily use.
Most people get bored or don't service cars correctly, so many never make it past 100k then say their cars were unreliable
https://vehiclescore.co.uk/ - has a good meter on when cars searched for are scrapped or lifespan, not sure how accurate but they say it's reviewed constantly.
The other work hack I use daily, probably is getting to survivor status, a 2008 Vectra petrol with nearly 190,000 miles on it, both run and are in daily use.
Most people get bored or don't service cars correctly, so many never make it past 100k then say their cars were unreliable
https://vehiclescore.co.uk/ - has a good meter on when cars searched for are scrapped or lifespan, not sure how accurate but they say it's reviewed constantly.
Edited by 7 5 7 on Sunday 17th May 10:38
v8notbrave said:
My answer is always 520d will eat the family miles in comfort. Mines on 150k and feels brand new
They had several egr recalls so that's one maintenance item not needed. On top of that the engine super solid and they're cheap second hand and actually nimble for its size in the twisty bits
Getting a car without a cat means early 90s I think? All cars have various euro engine systems. Petrol is simpler for some and 9k a year you're maybe in the threshold of petrol Vs diesel but diesel certainly more durable to 200k
Something like this for instance? They had several egr recalls so that's one maintenance item not needed. On top of that the engine super solid and they're cheap second hand and actually nimble for its size in the twisty bits
Getting a car without a cat means early 90s I think? All cars have various euro engine systems. Petrol is simpler for some and 9k a year you're maybe in the threshold of petrol Vs diesel but diesel certainly more durable to 200k
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603090...
v8notbrave said:
My answer is always 520d will eat the family miles in comfort. Mines on 150k and feels brand new
They had several egr recalls so that's one maintenance item not needed. On top of that the engine super solid and they're cheap second hand and actually nimble for its size in the twisty bits
Getting a car without a cat means early 90s I think? All cars have various euro engine systems. Petrol is simpler for some and 9k a year you're maybe in the threshold of petrol Vs diesel but diesel certainly more durable to 200k
Well known for timing chain issues though, and that is a gearbox or Engine out job if not snapped and a lot more if it is. They had several egr recalls so that's one maintenance item not needed. On top of that the engine super solid and they're cheap second hand and actually nimble for its size in the twisty bits
Getting a car without a cat means early 90s I think? All cars have various euro engine systems. Petrol is simpler for some and 9k a year you're maybe in the threshold of petrol Vs diesel but diesel certainly more durable to 200k
Doesitdrive said:
Well known for timing chain issues though, and that is a gearbox or Engine out job if not snapped and a lot more if it is.
Yup, as much as I have a high mileage N47 and it holds up great, I wouldn't buy a high mileage unknown one, I've known my car since it had 50k on.I also wouldn't choose a diesel either these days for such a thing, petrols can do the miles just as well, with less headaches usually too.
In my experience, anything Japanese. Make sure it's rustproofed, service it once a year, you'll be fine.
I was always a staunch buyer of older, mostly English built tat in my youth, but have been in Japanese daily drivers for the last 8 1/2 years with zero issues and wouldn't look anywhere else for something that I rely on each and every day when something else is usually broken (or more accurately, I have broken
)
I was always a staunch buyer of older, mostly English built tat in my youth, but have been in Japanese daily drivers for the last 8 1/2 years with zero issues and wouldn't look anywhere else for something that I rely on each and every day when something else is usually broken (or more accurately, I have broken
)Almost every private hire car you see is a Toyota hybrid, its not cos they're fashionable.
Corolla hybrid estate, or cheaper cos older Auris hybrid estate, bigger and not quite so good on fuel through hardly a drinker Avensis 1.8 petrol (because you've already ruled out the 2 litre Diesel because DPF). Maybe rare to find one which hasn't been taxied Prius + is bigger. Normal Prius might be compromised re luggage space.
Suzuki Swace is a Corolla hybrid estate but with Suzi badges and a different grille.
Only fly in the ointment is Corolla/Avensis have electric parking brake, suggest keep that well serviced and looked after because when they fail like all EPBs its an expensive fix.
Toyota hybrids usually good for 300k, many seeing 400k+ before serious issues develop.
If worried about hybrid battery costs there's a company in Northampton who specialises in reconditioning hybrid batteries on a menu pricing/warranty period basis.
Corolla hybrid estate, or cheaper cos older Auris hybrid estate, bigger and not quite so good on fuel through hardly a drinker Avensis 1.8 petrol (because you've already ruled out the 2 litre Diesel because DPF). Maybe rare to find one which hasn't been taxied Prius + is bigger. Normal Prius might be compromised re luggage space.
Suzuki Swace is a Corolla hybrid estate but with Suzi badges and a different grille.
Only fly in the ointment is Corolla/Avensis have electric parking brake, suggest keep that well serviced and looked after because when they fail like all EPBs its an expensive fix.
Toyota hybrids usually good for 300k, many seeing 400k+ before serious issues develop.
If worried about hybrid battery costs there's a company in Northampton who specialises in reconditioning hybrid batteries on a menu pricing/warranty period basis.
Either a Toyota with 1.8 hybrid system (Prius or Auris or Corolla or Lexus CT)
Or a Passat or A4/6 2.0 diesel. Arguably a bit more complex but a lot of them run around with 200k+ miles both here and on the continent.
Or a Tesla. Avoid large rear drive unit Model S and X, and it’s a bit of a gamble with some gremlins but again, a lot of them running around with moon miles.
Or a Passat or A4/6 2.0 diesel. Arguably a bit more complex but a lot of them run around with 200k+ miles both here and on the continent.
Or a Tesla. Avoid large rear drive unit Model S and X, and it’s a bit of a gamble with some gremlins but again, a lot of them running around with moon miles.
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