Over 208k miles would you buy???

[cbv8]

Hi All,
Yes i am actually enquiring about a 03 2.4d auto with 208k miles on the clock only fault is sat nav and only one head rest screen works the car drives without fault i am told and had a replacement gearbox recently. Am i mad to even consider this it needs a drop link and possible work on the handbrake for mot other than that the car runs nice with no warning lights oh and mot ran out begin Dec what do we think? any advice much appreciated

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by cbv8

Hi All,
Yes i am actually enquiring about a 03 2.4d auto with 208k miles on the clock only fault is sat nav and only one head rest screen works the car drives without fault i am told and had a replacement gearbox recently. Am i mad to even consider this it needs a drop link and possible work on the handbrake for mot other than that the car runs nice with no warning lights oh and mot ran out begin Dec what do we think? any advice much appreciated

Irrespective of mileage I would not buy something requiring an MOT as you don’t kniw what’s going to come up.

I would not be put off a 208K mile car however bear in mind it will have little resale value and should be cheap.

[TruckbusUK]

TBH, don't really have any issues with the mileage (I ran a 244DL to 327k with out trouble,) and the D5 seem a strong lump with maintenance but agree the MOT is a big red flag.
Check if the seller is willing to MOT before you buy ... at least it should throw up any hidden horrors from the MOT front, then you pay your money and take your choice.

Just a thought.

[cbv8]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

Irrespective of mileage I would not buy something requiring an MOT as you don’t kniw what’s going to come up.

I would not be put off a 208K mile car however bear in mind it will have little resale value and should be cheap.

The car only done 3k since last mot Dec 2019 which passed with mainbeam advisory it is cheap if i could get it for £1k i think it would be worth a punt don't you think? Truckbus i am hoping due to previous mot history it would fail on very little if it fails at all that is so my offer to seller would be low

[TruckbusUK]

Originally Posted by cbv8

The car only done 3k since last mot Dec 2019 which passed with mainbeam advisory it is cheap if i could get it for £1k i think it would be worth a punt don't you think? Truckbus i am hoping due to previous mot history it would fail on very little if it fails at all that is so my offer to seller would be low

Depending how its been stored ... cars not being used or little used deteriorate with amazing aplomb.

Tread carefully.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by cbv8

The car only done 3k since last mot Dec 2019 which passed with mainbeam advisory it is cheap if i could get it for £1k i think it would be worth a punt don't you think? Truckbus i am hoping due to previous mot history it would fail on very little if it fails at all that is so my offer to seller would be low

If you like the car and it’s done 3k since it’s last MOT, then for a grand I would probably give it a go. You may find (probably) that for £1,000 plus an MOT you can drive the car for three years and then sell for what you paid for it.

The only issue you have is why the seller has not already MOTd it. It is either because the owner hasn’t got the time and wants rid (possible) or because the car has a real problem/potentially something costly to get it through and doesn’t want to present it.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

If you like the car and it’s done 3k since it’s last MOT, then for a grand I would probably give it a go. You may find (probably) that for £1,000 plus an MOT you can drive the car for three years and then sell for what you paid for it.

The only issue you have is why the seller has not already MOTd it. It is either because the owner hasn’t got the time and wants rid (possible) or because the car has a real problem/potentially something costly to get it through and doesn’t want to present it.

To be honest £1,000 for an XC90 I probably would take the risk as that’s a huge amount of car for the money. As always just go in with your eyes open.

[Moose Test]

What does the service history look like? It's not generally mileage that kills these cars, it's age and neglect. Unless the previous owner has kept up with servicing and maintenance (and not getting a new MOT before trying to sell doesn't bode well with that, in my book) and there's stamps and receipts to prove it, then I'd be inclined to walk away, unless you're prepared and able to do work yourself and/or prepared to invest quite a bit more into it than the initial purchase price.

At this age, unless they've been well maintained by their previous keepers, you're just picking up expensive issues that others have kicked down the road. And it's always when, and not if.

[cbv8]

Originally Posted by Moose Test

What does the service history look like? It's not generally mileage that kills these cars, it's age and neglect. Unless the previous owner has kept up with servicing and maintenance (and not getting a new MOT before trying to sell doesn't bode well with that, in my book) and there's stamps and receipts to prove it, then I'd be inclined to walk away, unless you're prepared and able to do work yourself and/or prepared to invest quite a bit more into it than the initial purchase price.

At this age, unless they've been well maintained by their previous keepers, you're just picking up expensive issues that others have kicked down the road. And it's always when, and not if.

I was getting quite positive until this post there is no history unfortunately it does look a tidy car but for the history and mileage bit . I have found another an o4 2.4d auto with 115k miles not as tidy as previous one but has 11 mths mot and is cheap but again no service history!!!

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by cbv8

I was getting quite positive until this post there is no history unfortunately it does look a tidy car but for the history and mileage bit . I have found another an o4 2.4d auto with 115k miles not as tidy as previous one but has 11 mths mot and is cheap but again no service history!!!

It’s £1,000. If it has 4 wheels that don’t wobble when you push and pull them (bearings), stands well with Even panel gaps and doesn’t have oil everywhere that’s a phenomenal amount of car! You need to see if that model has ‘self check’ (mine - a later mode) will flash up any current issues when you start it.

You will need to be a home mechanic yes at that price.