Second hand bad luck
Discussion
I've always bought second hand cars, mostly due to money not being flush but also don't see a need for new. Proberly had around 10 cars in my time and never any notable issue in perhaps near a million miles.
I needed a 4x4 and van so bought a VW transporter 2.5 (a compromise at being AWD but actually quite capable off-road if lacking ground clearance). It had 180,000 miles, full service history, same female owner for past ten years. And it's been the biggest moneypit. First clutch cylinder, then gearbox, then turbo, then headgasket and injectors. Issue it it was a bit here and then and then the gasket and injectors was 2k, then 4k then final bill at 6k, so it's bled me dry slowly.
I've been back over my decision making on the purchase and initial repairs and I can't find much to fault - except for buying a 2.5 VW in the first place! Plus perhaps I would have been better buying something that had had multiple repairs. I'm not really sure what there is to learn, but it's definitely left me feeling burnt and shy with cars now. I'm going to get rid of the thing as I hate it, it doesn't even drive well - a Vito I used to have drove better. I'd like to get a 4x4 sprinter but they're pricey. There are so many threads on the internet of the same issues with 2.5, so beware!
This is less of advice but more of a vent, perhaps I should be thankful I've not has issues previously with all my other cars.
I needed a 4x4 and van so bought a VW transporter 2.5 (a compromise at being AWD but actually quite capable off-road if lacking ground clearance). It had 180,000 miles, full service history, same female owner for past ten years. And it's been the biggest moneypit. First clutch cylinder, then gearbox, then turbo, then headgasket and injectors. Issue it it was a bit here and then and then the gasket and injectors was 2k, then 4k then final bill at 6k, so it's bled me dry slowly.
I've been back over my decision making on the purchase and initial repairs and I can't find much to fault - except for buying a 2.5 VW in the first place! Plus perhaps I would have been better buying something that had had multiple repairs. I'm not really sure what there is to learn, but it's definitely left me feeling burnt and shy with cars now. I'm going to get rid of the thing as I hate it, it doesn't even drive well - a Vito I used to have drove better. I'd like to get a 4x4 sprinter but they're pricey. There are so many threads on the internet of the same issues with 2.5, so beware!
This is less of advice but more of a vent, perhaps I should be thankful I've not has issues previously with all my other cars.
Probably bad luck to be hit by so many repairs but at 180k miles and if the parts that failed were all original from new then it’s not a matter of if but when. Nothing lasts forever I’m afraid. Well serviced or not.
You’ve just been unlucky it happened under your stewardship rather than the previous or subsequent owner.
You’ve just been unlucky it happened under your stewardship rather than the previous or subsequent owner.
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