Whats the highest mileage you would buy?

[SoundillusioN]

Some people think that mileage means nothing and maintenance is everything, not strictly true in my book but on the opposite of the scale.

I have had many cars now and all the ones I've had or known of within the family with exceptionally low mileage for their year are the ones that caused the most grief.  Engines prefer to be run at high temperatures for long durations, regularly.  Old cars with low mileage that are suddenly driven more often or in a different way (harder) often suffer from oil leaks and component failure (in my experience).

I've said before in another topic that it is not uncommon for a taxi to do half a million miles purely for the fact that it never stops moving.

You were watching mk1 and 2's and ended up with a 3 with no history! 

[Gavv8]

I've bought high mileage motors in the past and i'm more interested in the condition of the body and suspension, people forget to replace bushes and cables that they can't see but will spend money on the motor so providing there is evidence of regular servicing and the engine and box are sweet then mileage is no obstacle, the only thing i won't touch are high mileage autoboxes as they have a pretty finite life and cost a packet to sort when they go wrong.

[The Mighty Elvi]

...I'll trot out the mantra.."Buy on bodywork"  engines are easily sourced/refurb'd/replaced.

Old cars regardless of mileage and usage will need to have perishable bits replaced.  e.g. A 20+ yr old Mk2 with "only" 80K on the clock will still need to have lots of bits replaced.


Far better to get an old high mileage car, with a good body, that has had the perishables replaced.

[bob23]

Some people think that mileage means nothing and maintenance is everything, not strictly true in my book but on the opposite of the scale.

I have had many cars now and all the ones I've had or known of within the family with exceptionally low mileage for their year are the ones that caused the most grief.  Engines prefer to be run at high temperatures for long durations, regularly.  Old cars with low mileage that are suddenly driven more often or in a different way (harder) often suffer from oil leaks and component failure (in my experience).

I've said before in another topic that it is not uncommon for a taxi to do half a million miles purely for the fact that it never stops moving.

You were watching mk1 and 2's and ended up with a 3 with no history! 

Sorry, when I said mileage means nothing, what I meant was high mileage means nothing, I know old cars with low mileage can be trouble, one of the people I work with just bought a 98 plate fiat with 30k on it, the thing is f**ked, (though that's probably more to do with the fact it's a fiat )

[SoundillusioN]

Some people think that mileage means nothing and maintenance is everything, not strictly true in my book but on the opposite of the scale.

I have had many cars now and all the ones I've had or known of within the family with exceptionally low mileage for their year are the ones that caused the most grief.  Engines prefer to be run at high temperatures for long durations, regularly.  Old cars with low mileage that are suddenly driven more often or in a different way (harder) often suffer from oil leaks and component failure (in my experience).

I've said before in another topic that it is not uncommon for a taxi to do half a million miles purely for the fact that it never stops moving.

You were watching mk1 and 2's and ended up with a 3 with no history! 

Sorry, when I said mileage means nothing, what I meant was high mileage means nothing, I know old cars with low mileage can be trouble, one of the people I work with just bought a 98 plate fiat with 30k on it, the thing is f**ked, (though that's probably more to do with the fact it's a fiat )

Most Likely! 

[JayNesbitt]

Fiat....Fix It Again Tomorrow

[SoundillusioN]

Fiat....Fix It Again Tomorrow

F*cking Italian Automotive Trash

[Seanl]

I just bought a 12 year old fabia with 38k. 

Had a really good look round/under it, and its mint with absolutely no problems at all. Brand spankers MOT from the dealership, and no advisories, but they did call us the afternoon after picking it up, and said that some suffer with problematic rads, (have been known to crack and leak) so they will change it as a matter of course. No probs with the one thats in though, went to Bristol and back at the w.end, and absolutely no loss of water since we picked it up. Booked in for rad change next Friday anyway. Not saying its not true for all, but as long as its had annual rather than milage services, and has been kept on the road its whole life, therefore subject to MOT every year, I don't think there should be a problem. 

[VW BUSH]

Fiat....Fix It Again Tomorrow

Fix It Again Tony (gesticulation of hands)

[weazgti]

New cars still go wrong though even with next to no miles on them. Low mileage doesn't mean it's bombproof.