When scouring auto trader, I've generally been limiting the search to 100,000 miles on the clock. Typical age range of various searches comes back with 2003-2006 with my projected budget.

Reading around though, some suggest that higher mileage than 100k is no problem if it has been well serviced and maintained. Others suggest that even with that, turbo's can start going on diesel engines and cambelts need to be checked.

Any thoughts on higher mileage cars? Would you have no problem with them or would you avoid wherever possible?

Cheers LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

If you are selling it and above 100,000 then it's not worth much and hard to sell, if you're buying, the it's just run in and good for another hundred if properly serviced. Really it's all about the history, I would prefer a 100,000 miler with a service history that spent its time on M-ways than a 50,000 miler that never did more than 5 miles a day and was serviced every other year as it never made the 10 or 15k service interval so the owner never bothered. my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

A younger higher mileage car is going to have spent more time on long journeys, probably at cruising speed so there is a lot less stress on the vehicle, whereas an older low mileage vehicle will probably have done lots of short journeys which impact things like clutch etc.

As with everything it's servicing and how the vehicle is treated. Compare a car that's done 60K and been abused versus one that's done 120K and been looked after, I'd say the 120K one was the better option. My old Suzuki Grand Vitara was 10 years old and had done 108K when I got the FL2, but the Suzuki had been serviced to the manufacturer's schedule and sailed through every MOT; not a single failure or advisory in its entire life and it never caused me a moment of grief.

Full Service History is a must though at high mileages.

Not Freelanders but my last two cars were both quite high mileage, a 2L Skoda Octavia diesel with 115,000, and a Ford Focus estate 1.8L diesel with about 128,000. The skoda was an ex fleet and motorway miles, and runs like a dream (still for sale since buying the FL2!) The Focus was Ex police and had taken some hammer I suspect, but was really well looked after, most normal wearing parts had been changed (clutch, cambelt etc), and was still a great runner when I sold it.
I wouldn't hesitate buying a high mileage one as long as you know it's been well looked after!
A lad I know had a VDub Passat with 250,000 on, he chickened out and bought a new one before it clonked out, but it still ran fine!

Thanks for the input. I will certainly look for good service history when checking out various cars. I've recently been researching MK5 Golf 2.0TDi and even the Skoda Fabia MK1 1.9TDi VRS. The Skoda gets amazing reviews from owners and is cheap to run. A remap can turn it into a rather quick car too. The main downside to Skoda's is the name which people laugh at no matter how good the car is or the fact its made by VW. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I thought the same about Skodas until I got the octavia, It was honestly the best car I've had, I loved it and in the end couldn't care less about the badge! I only got the FL2 'cos the Skoda couldn't tackle the rough stuff when I needed it to!

Nice one. The lack of a premium badge doesn't bother me and a re-mapped Fabia VRS would be an interesting prospect. Certainly one to consider. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

after a bit of research I fancied a Skoda Yeti, but the wife said she wouldn't be see in a Skoda

but she's a badge snob

Iain

My old Volvo had 300,000 before I got rid 2008 xs
Snorkel
raised axle/gearbox breathers
Mantec tank guard
Cb radio
Blanked EGR
Sump guard
Scratches
Snolkle

History is vital. I purchased a five year old Subaru from a dealer, 60,000 miles, full history but the history was not with the car. "No problem, we will get it to you" they said. Yes I trusted them, small local family run dealer.

2000 miles later, big end went on the engine. Que the excuses, you were driving to hard, etc. They rebuilt the engine at their cost (around £2,500) and after that as I serviced it on the dot I had 70,000 miles of trouble free motoring.

You can always call the garage that stamped the book to check it is legitimate before you part with your cash.

Our freelander, purchased with 20,000 miles and now sporting 147,000, serviced correctly and it drives well. We recently had it valued for trade in which came out around £4000 which backs up the high mileage not worth much statement.

The Doctor wrote:

Nice one. The lack of a premium badge doesn't bother me and a re-mapped Fabia VRS would be an interesting prospect. Certainly one to consider.

Had a "conservative" remap on my old one, 161bhp + 275lb ft

Would still return 65mpg, the lift off oversteer was entertaining, and still the only car I actually regret selling
In 2 and a half years, it needed a coolant temp sensor, a rear caliper, and a pair of front arm bushes (replaced with uprated Leon Cupra R items )

On the lookout for another one myself

Thanks Sounds very good indeed. Owners seem to complain about the light coloured seats which are easy to mark apparently. As long as they clean up easily and aren't a complete pain, I can live with that. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I was really impressed with the Insignia. 2.0 CDTi Sri Spec 163bhp/258 lb/ft. Got it remapped by a guy in Huthwaite to around 200bhp /320 lb/ft and it became seriously impressive. Still couldn't get it under 50mpg either (63mpg average on a run)

you can pick up the earlier 59 plate ones now quite cheap and with reasonable mileages.

The Doctor wrote:

Thanks Sounds very good indeed. Owners seem to complain about the light coloured seats which are easy to mark apparently. As long as they clean up easily and aren't a complete pain, I can live with that.

Yes. White fabric looks lovely, but a nightmare to keep clean. I had seat covers on mine all the time, apart from going anywhere nice, when i wouldn't be dirty from work

The most reliable car we've ever had was my wife's drive-to-work automatic Fiesta. We bought it as a low mileage 3-year-old that had been well serviced as a motability car. She ran it for ten years, commuting between Runcorn and Sale. Virtually every trip it did was more than 25 miles, mainly motorway cruising. Because it was essential transport it was serviced absolutely by the book and was running perfectly well at over 130,000 miles. All we had to do to it was replace brakes, tyres, cambelt and battery. So far as I know it's still going strong, although she swapped it for a Beetle Convertible when we retired to Cornwall 4 years ago. Correct servicing is paramount. Ours - 2008 Stornoway Grey HSE Auto
Tricia's - 2006 Royal Blue Beetle Cabriolet Auto
Mine - 2014 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport Matt Black
Ours - 2007 White Bailey Pageant Champagne