Too low mileage?

[Top Cat]

I've seen a few older, one elderly owner cars up for sale with rather low mileages for their age but with FSH and all receipts for work done.

Perceived wisdom does say that they have likely not been driven regularly, or may have pottered about town doing short journeys & never getting warmed up properly, but with FSH and the sort of care and respect that an older and more fastidious owner would have bestowed upon them are there really going to be any lasting issues with any part of the drivetrain not having been thoroughly exercised throughout its life?

Personally I give my cars an italian tune up at least once a month, and they always feel more flexible and responsive for it - i'm wondering if the opposite is true for cars that never get proper exercise?

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Personally I give my cars an italian tune up at least once a month, and they always feel more flexible and responsive for it - i'm wondering if the opposite is true for cars that never get proper exercise?

It will be interesting to hear of what you have in mind TC. I too believe that cars love to be used. If the car in question has not been run much, I would drive it gently for the first while until the tyres and suspension get used to the idea, then perhaps take it on a long trip and open it up a bit.

Turns a good car into a great one. I guess the things that migh have suffered on prolonged static spells could be any rubber parts and seals - but these should not stop the show and can be replaced if they announce themselves.

 

[d215yq]

I's also look at list of jobs done. if its low mileage a lot more of the parts could be original so you could get big jobs such as head gasket, suspension/steeringparts, etc wearing that would have already warn out and been sorted on a high miler.

 

[Quickbrit]

I bought a low mileage Jersey car which probably never went over 50MPH.

I've had it serviced, checked over and it goes pretty good (as expected).

If a car has had the requisite servicing I'd have no reservation buying a car that's had a quite life (as I did).

Just my 2c's

MikeE

 

[Peter C1974]

I bought my 20 year old W124 230E with 115k miles (5.5k a year) from its first lady owner. Aside from a bit of brake squeal, which sorted itself out, the car has been perfect. I had to replace a knocking rear shock absorber, but at £36 for a pair I wasn't too bothered.

 

[louwdj]

Older Merc's inherent quality, generally, can live with low mileage. Provided it was taken to operating temperature on most runs, serviced as suggested, it should be OK. I have both: 1974 W116, a high mileage, well maintained car, parts replaced when needed, still going very well at ~360,000 kms, and a low mileage, ~5,000 kms per year W210, 10 years old, no hassles so far. Bought a W123 230e new in 1982, only done <5,000 kms per year in last 20 years, now using a little bit of oil at 200,000 kms. Cylkinder head gasket replaced twice in 26 years. I also rebuilt a 1966 Jeep Wagoneer, new rubbers in slave cylinder, etc, packing up after 6 months when not "exercised" often enough. Gaskets may go with age but hey, to replace is still cheaper than one installment on a new car!

 

[television]

I would not hesitate on a low mileage example, its all down to how the car has been looked after

 

[discoking]

I've seen a few older, one elderly owner cars up for sale with rather low mileages for their age but with FSH and all receipts for work done.

Perceived wisdom does say that they have likely not been driven regularly, or may have pottered about town doing short journeys & never getting warmed up properly, but with FSH and the sort of care and respect that an older and more fastidious owner would have bestowed upon them are there really going to be any lasting issues with any part of the drivetrain not having been thoroughly exercised throughout its life?

Personally I give my cars an italian tune up at least once a month, and they always feel more flexible and responsive for it - i'm wondering if the opposite is true for cars that never get proper exercise?

Lower the mileage the better....honestly.

The only things you would even consider slighty thinking about would be certain rubber bushes etc as Alex rightly pointed out but even then I'd only start worrying if the car had stood for 3 or more years without moving.Once a week,2weeks even a month journeys aren't gonna do anyharm.

Best way to think of mileage is how many years graft a cars done,a 10yr old car with 40k on the clock has only done 3 1/2 yrs graft and as such is a mere child in car terms.

 

[teddycatkin]

Hi Top Cat --We have only ever bought low milage cars with FSH and find it no problem--I know the for and against argument-one of my pals will not look at a car to buy with less than 150k on the clock-(in his words best value for money) but remember not just the engine -all moving parts have to get some wear at high milage so will also be worn.
I bought our Astra automatic as a 10 year old disablity registered vehicle with 9k on the clock and as new - its now 15 years old and done 39k and used daily and I could still sell it for what I paid for it -- Our W124 estate is also 16 years old now showing 79k?
It still drives like a new car
Hope this helps you decide-Teddy.

 

[djheap22]

my experience is low mileage, well maintained old cars are worth a much closer look. I have a mk1 golf over 20years old, 80k genuine with full documented, ie recpts service history and its great.

As pointed out may have problems with some rubber items, would also pay particular attention to cooling system. Finally check for signs of corrosion from the underside, sills and inner wheel arches/mounts. May need to spend a bit at first to catch up with one or two niggles.

but if you find a good un it will be a steal.

 

[Splatt]

Think along the lines that a pristine low mileage car is probably not the "Aunties shopping trolley" which goes down to the local shops or hostelry creates havoc in the car park and returns home at 10mph leaving all traffic routes behind gridlocked . Such cars always have the scars of conflict on them and the mechanicals tell of the torture they have endured although they may be low mileage.
Rather that such a car is one that has been cherished, never taken out in the wet never taken through a car wash but hand washed and polished once a week serviced and oil changed at rediculous intervals and when it does go out it is for a jolly fine spin somewhere nice like down the coast on the A road at a steady 60. The trouble is finding one , as soon as one is traded in the word goes around , the previous owner gets no more for the exceptional condition but someone in the trade gets a great little buy.

 

[simon_wall69]

My experience with high mileage cars has been good. I've had a 560sel with nearly 300,000 on the clock, an e300d that had done over 400,000 miles and a 190d with nearly that on the clock and all ran fine with no problems other than consumables like tyres and pads.

The w123 i've currently got was bought with a genuine 70,000 miles on the clock and FSH has been very problematic. The current w124 with only 180,000 miles and FSH has also had its fair share of problems.

Sometimes it just comes down to luck.

 

[Top Cat]

Thank you all for your thoughts and input.

My main concern was not so much the engine, but other mechanical components might have stiffened up or degraded through lack of use, or indeed be in desperate need of replacement as they start to get long in the tooth, and of course rust could still be rampant in the usual places, but the few I've seen are incredibly tempting examples of seeminingly cherished cars (both W210 E230 models). I would certainly hope they had at sometime been on a few good runs out, getting up to temperature and going through at least most of the revs and all of the gears, and not just been run to the shops or bowls club once a week.

Sadly, after discussion with SWMBO, finances still do not allow for such a purchase as yet, but I am happy to see that such cars do still exist, so when the time does come for me to part with the cash I would be prepared to pay the extra for a vehicle with such provenance.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

I would certainly hope they had at sometime been on a few good runs out, getting up to temperature and going through at least most of the revs and all of the gears, and not just been run to the shops or bowls club once a week.

Sadly, after discussion with SWMBO, finances still do not allow for such a purchase as yet, but I am happy to see that such cars do still exist, so when the time does come for me to part with the cash I would be prepared to pay the extra for a vehicle with such provenance.

I think you are very sensible. The answers in the thread may not have told you anything you don't already know, but "time spent in reconnaissance is never wasted".

I think it is worth avoiding cars from the era known to be prone to rust. Even if they don't show it now, there is enough known to make it worth avoiding. I have a 1994 car with no rust and I don't expect it to happen suddenly any time soon.

Conversely, I had a MY 2000 car with two rust episodes behind it, and I moved it on before MB got fed up fixing it.

Most importantly, your financial conscience is working well - SWMBO is always more important than even FMBSH, but when the time is right, I am sure she will be delighted with your choice. :-D

 

[Top Cat]

I think you are very sensible. The answers in the thread may not have told you anything you don't already know, but "time spent in reconnaissance is never wasted".

I think it is worth avoiding cars from the era known to be prone to rust. Even if they don't show it now, there is enough known to make it worth avoiding. I have a 1994 car with no rust and I don't expect it to happen suddenly any time soon.

Conversely, I had a MY 2000 car with two rust episodes behind it, and I moved it on before MB got fed up fixing it.

Most importantly, your financial conscience is working well - SWMBO is always more important than even FMBSH, but when the time is right, I am sure she will be delighted with your choice. :-D

Yes Alex you are so right, it's very much a case of mind winning out over heart so far, but I know that when I am in such a position then I will find such a car by simply doing a little homework, having patience and biding my time. As they say, preparation is always the key and time and effort involved in such is never wasted.

 

[mahadeshwar]

Low Mileage Not Bad

I have a 1998 C280 IT ONLY HAS 65,000 miles. I love the car and look after it anytime there is anything mildely wrong it goes straight to the mechanic for a check i dont mind how much it costs to fix it.

The one problem is because i work so much i never get to drive it, in fact the only person who gets to drive it hence the low mileage.

A car can be amazing old and have low mileage.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

I have a 1998 C280 IT ONLY HAS 65,000 miles. I love the car and look after it anytime there is anything mildely wrong it goes straight to the mechanic for a check i dont mind how much it costs to fix it.

The one problem is because i work so much i never get to drive it, in fact the only person who gets to drive it hence the low mileage.

A car can be amazing old and have low mileage.

If it needs exercise, I would be happy to help out ..............