newish high miles OR lower miles and older car

[Varche]

I am still car hunting. Seen some suitable vehicles e.g. auto Passat diesels but high miles (so must have been rep mobiles/motorway cruisers)

part of me likes the idea of newer car but high miles is a bit off putting in terms of suspension wear etc. I wouldn't buy without service history. I suspect the 2.0 diesel engines even in 170 HP guise, will be good for 200,000 miles or more with regular servicing.

Other part of me says older car with lower miles for same price makes sense. Rust doesn't seem to be a problem here unlike in the Uk.

Any thoughts?

[Nick W]

High mileage for me.
But I wouldn't be buying a secondhand diesel with any money I had to pay for.

[Varche]

I don't have much choice about diesel when it comes to a reasonable sized vehicle here.

[Nick W]

I don't have much choice about diesel when it comes to a reasonable sized vehicle here.

That's true here too.
But I still wouldn't buy one.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

High mileage for me.
But I wouldn't be buying a secondhand diesel with any money I had to pay for.

[/highlight]

Agreed. Canal boat fuel for canal boats only.

[Varche]

 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Given the choice I'd go for more miles in a newer car.

[Bigron]

It depends a lot on how those miles have been done' mostly motorway useage and proper servicing - no problem.
Frequent short runs where the engine has hardly had a chance to warm up fully and long periods between services ("well, I don't do many miles.....") - RUN! 

Ron.

[Viral_Jim]

I've always bought the opposite to those on here so far.

More than 10yrs old, <80k. I always buy on condition above all else. Touch wood it's served me well so far.

That said, I wouldn't buy an old, low mileage diesel with dpf.

[Varche]

Dpf , that is the problem.

I am coming down in favour of higher miles and newer car.

[TheBoy]

Be aware on all those VAG cars of the A4/A6/Pisshat/Octavia sized cars, the front suspension wear sets in from about 80k.  There's quite a lot of arms/linkages involved, and once one starts to wear, the others generally aren't far behind, and it becomes a never ending saga.  Even if entirely replaced with genuine VAG parts, much beyond 160k, they just seem to wear out quite quickly.

NEVER use cheap parts on it, tried that already, don't last the warranty period.

Not sure how fussy the Spanish MOT equivalent is, but like Omega wishbone bushes, its likely unless dangerously shagged, it will still pass an UK MOT when worn, but the clonking, knocking and lack of front end stability tends to make you change it when it gets quite bad.

[Doctor Gollum]

Give me a week and I shall review the Hyundai i40 diseasal saloon...

First impression is typically Japanesish with the controls scatter bombed across the dash but otherwise comfortable enough. Am 6'2" and there's enough room all round. Real test will be with five full fat adults in it

Topped up and loaded for a hike north... all being well, it won't need fuel until I get to Wick (although Inverness will be perfectly acceptable...)

[Nick W]

Give me a week and I shall review the Hyundai i40 diseasal saloon...

I can do that for you now: the I40(and its Kia cousin) offers all the flair and  attributes of an Avensis, but at 75% of the cost.


Any questions that my review doesn't answer are far too boring for anyone younger than 83.

[Varche]

Be aware on all those VAG cars of the A4/A6/Pisshat/Octavia sized cars, the front suspension wear sets in from about 80k.  There's quite a lot of arms/linkages involved, and once one starts to wear, the others generally aren't far behind, and it becomes a never ending saga.  Even if entirely replaced with genuine VAG parts, much beyond 160k, they just seem to wear out quite quickly.

NEVER use cheap parts on it, tried that already, don't last the warranty period.

Not sure how fussy the Spanish MOT equivalent is, but like Omega wishbone bushes, its likely unless dangerously shagged, it will still pass an UK MOT when worn, but the clonking, knocking and lack of front end stability tends to make you change it when it gets quite bad.

Hmm Spanish MOT. The omega we had with worn front wishbones sailed through every year. that was the main reason I gave up on it as no WIM here for new geometry. Our 4x4 has something wrong with front nearside suspension. I have looked and looked and cannot find it but I can feel it. Spanish MOT just pronounces it fine despite me asking the guy to have a good look!

That is a bit of a worry about VAG cars as the motorways here are pretty good surface wise but minor roads can be diabolical.

[Doctor Gollum]

Be aware on all those VAG cars of the A4/A6/Pisshat/Octavia sized cars, the front suspension wear sets in from about 80k.  There's quite a lot of arms/linkages involved, and once one starts to wear, the others generally aren't far behind, and it becomes a never ending saga.  Even if entirely replaced with genuine VAG parts, much beyond 160k, they just seem to wear out quite quickly.

NEVER use cheap parts on it, tried that already, don't last the warranty period.

Not sure how fussy the Spanish MOT equivalent is, but like Omega wishbone bushes, its likely unless dangerously shagged, it will still pass an UK MOT when worn, but the clonking, knocking and lack of front end stability tends to make you change it when it gets quite bad.

I would beg to differ...

My Altea XL, basically a big fat Golf, was abused as a cab for two years/135k and required only the following suspension work in that time:

1. Both front shock top mounts under warranty at 70k.
2. Rear shocks at 85k.

Mot history will give you an idea of the sort of mileage things fail at... GV07NLU