Young low mileage cars and warranty concerns

Conor

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Hello,

Just chatting with a mate in work who has the chance to buy a 3 year car with 3k miles on it. It's a BMW 420 M Sport (Not diesel, no DPF etc).

The following hypothetical just crossed my mind - the car is just out of warranty but has potentially not done enough mileage to tease out any potential issues that would usually arise in the warranty period, had the car done 10k miles or.

Very theoretical I know, but, is there some legitimacy to it? I mean, we all know how much of a fight car brands put up when a problem is raised outside of warranty?

Is there an argument to be made that is is somewhat risky to buy a car with too few miles as well as too high?
 

Blobcat

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Where's he buying it from? Any used car dealer would put a warranty on that
 
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Conor

Conor

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Blobcat

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Then it all comes down to the price - check with "webuyanycar" and go from there
 

davidsl500

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His mate isn't Nigerian and the car needs shipping from greece or somewhere? :)

If it is 3 years old then it must have a service record even with a low mileage so check that is complete and it may also still be i n the original manufacturers warranty - so maybe get that extended if it is. Otherwise get an independent extended warranty for peace of mind negotiated in the price.
 

John Laidlaw

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I think he wouldn’t have a chance with any warranty issues to be honest. Better to take an extended warranty probably
 
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Conor

Conor

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His mate isn't Nigerian and the car needs shipping from greece or somewhere? :)

If it is 3 years old then it must have a service record even with a low mileage so check that is complete and it may also still be i n the original manufacturers warranty - so maybe get that extended if it is. Otherwise get an independent extended warranty for peace of mind negotiated in the price.

Lol, I don't believe he is. The other advice is also great.. I'm not going to tell him that as I don't think he was too impressed with me raising the original concern. I'm beginning to realise that in life... "sometimes you are just better off saying nothing". Shameful, I know, but I think it has its merits.
 

DSK

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I am very sceptical of such low mileage cars (especially when its just something like a 320d, its not like its a CSL etc where one may wish to keep the mileage down). However, such low mileage cars can also be genuine as one may have a car and use as/when needed but use other forms of transport for commuting etc etc.

Its still reasonably new and a good check over should be able to highlight clues as to wether the mileage is genuine or not (e.g tyre should be in very good nic and all the same brand, unless its had a puncture etc in this period. Brake pad depth and disc condition should be a strong clue as usually people don't change these on clocked cars. Underbody should look pretty mint. Fluids should really be at the optimum marks etc (not the onboard check).

I'd say check up on that model year for recalls and common faults and then see if there were any and if they have been done or, are out standing and consider putting a personal warranty on it. A colleague of mine had good results with Warranty Direct when he took one out on a 20007 SABB 93 with 70K. Some electrical sensor around £160 went and 1 caliper was seizing, and the warranty paid it no quibbles he stated.
 

Blobcat

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I am very sceptical of such low mileage cars (especially when its just something like a 320d, its not like its a CSL etc where one may wish to keep the mileage down). However, such low mileage cars can also be genuine as one may have a car and use as/when needed but use other forms of transport for commuting etc etc.

Its still reasonably new and a good check over should be able to highlight clues as to wether the mileage is genuine or not (e.g tyre should be in very good nic and all the same brand, unless its had a puncture etc in this period. Brake pad depth and disc condition should be a strong clue as usually people don't change these on clocked cars. Underbody should look pretty mint. Fluids should really be at the optimum marks etc (not the onboard check).

I'd say check up on that model year for recalls and common faults and then see if there were any and if they have been done or, are out standing and consider putting a personal warranty on it. A colleague of mine had good results with Warranty Direct when he took one out on a 20007 SABB 93 with 70K. Some electrical sensor around £160 went and 1 caliper was seizing, and the warranty paid it no quibbles he stated.
Could be a PCP with mileage restrictions so high it has to sit on the drive for 3 years and a balloon so high and a guaranteed future value so low his only option is to try and sell it. :rolleyes:

Or it's his company car and he's clocked it and selling it (without his company knowing*...) :rolleyes:

*and yes I've know that happen!:shock:
 

McDonald

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Assuming it is what the vendor says it is, it's a real find. This is how to get a new car without the ludicrous cost of driving it out of the showroom.
 
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Conor

Conor

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It is what the vendor says it is.. at least there is an element of trust. My colleague is good friends with the vendor and knows the car so it's a fantastic opportunity.
 

JBell

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I don't think I would worry about a warranty, just stick a Grand in the bank and go from there.

A 420i is a well sorted car, as with MB there are loads of specialists out there
 

Frontstep

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If he knows its full history and the seller, just get it bought, where are you going to find another ?


On the debit side the car got stuffed good style in the first few months of life and he has had Gorky the origami car man unfolding it as he forgot to Insure it.
He took years to do it as his usual suppliers of stolen car parts had been deported and he waited for one to appear in rottweilers and sons yard.
Gorky has now installed performance extras including the ability to drive sideways.
 

Mr Filipov

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I am very sceptical of such low mileage cars (especially when its just something like a 320d, its not like its a CSL etc where one may wish to keep the mileage down). However, such low mileage cars can also be genuine as one may have a car and use as/when needed but use other forms of transport for commuting etc etc.

Why are you sceptical about things like that? There is nothing to say that someone owning a car can’t use it exclusively on the weekend, or use other form of transport for getting to and from work.

I got my BMW GT last year. A 4 year old car with 17k miles and 2 owners (me being the 3rd). I have had no issues apart from one common one, which was dealt with under warranty, and when I pulled the cladding from underneath and got it on a ramp, it indeed looked like a brand new car.

Like it has been said, if the condition reflects the mileage then there is nothing to worry about.
 

Frontstep

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I bought a car off a ships captain with silly low miles and my nephew serving with the forces car had only hundreds on it after two years.
 

Blobcat

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I bought a car off a ships captain with silly low miles and my nephew serving with the forces car had only hundreds on it after two years.
Only thing to be wary of when buying from marine or off-shore is where they parked it when they were away?

If it's close to a quayside the salt spray and sh1te hawks can kill the bodywork. It can be made to look shiny shiny on the top but the underside can have rotted out. I had a friend who nearly bought an XK8 with very very low miles from Leicestershire - when he inspected it the underside was knackered, he looked into the history and it was from Aberdeen...
 

Yugguy

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Buy a BMW extended warranty, get a full service to start your ownership and enjoy.
 

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