Amazon: Low mileage!!?

[amazon69]

Why do most people who have a 40 year old amazon
for sale think that because the clock says - 35000 etc, that the car has only done that over all those years? Can't think of how many ads I've seen where the seller says "very low mileage, only ***". I know they hold their
mileage well, but it's getting a bit ridiculous. Harumph. According to my speedo, mine has done 7000 miles...Volvo should have put in a 7 digit mileometer..

[222s]

I know! And there's even one of these on ebay at the moment too.....

My odometer is currently on about 70k, but the missing digit is at least a 2, if not higher as it was on 79k when bought in '94 and no way was that the first time around.

[JIM C]

If they are advertising any car, no matter what age they should have some history to support the mileage otherwise it could well be untrue. My 69 Amazon has most of the MOTs from new to support its mileage. Pity its lost the service book over the years.
Jim

[222s]

Originally Posted by JIM C

If they are advertising any car, no matter what age they should have some history to support the mileage otherwise it could well be untrue

Agreed! The one I'm thinking of has history from '99, having been in storage from '89 and is being advertised as very low mileage on that basis. Mmmmm - less than 30K in the previous 20 years?* Yes, it's possible but (& my opinion is also based on what I can see in the photos) it was so much more likely to have been almost 130K when it was put in storage.

* That's less than 1500 miles per year up to '89, as opposed to just under 6.5K per year if it's been around the clock.

[TomTom]

Do you remember that viral joke about the car for sale that had never exceeded 10 miles per hour and only used forward and reverse gears, and you looked at the picture and it was on a tiny island and drove about 10 feet from the house to the ferry. Reminds me a bit of that.

But seriously, I'd rather have a car that had been used and serviced regularly and covered 140K than one that had sat for ever and covered 40K.

Tom

[Amazonites]

I think it is possible that some cars have a genuine low mileage and surely you can tell if this is the case by simply having a look at the interior.

Our '62 Amazon, has 49k, but was off the road for 34 years. The interior is absolutely pristine, it has no wear whatsoever. The '67 estate we had however, said 68k on the clock, but there was no chance as the interior was grim, totally worn out, seams splits, plastics rubbed away so that they were smooth and shiny etc (this had definitely seen the clock round)

Also, I don't think the majority of people were doing the same mileage in the 60's as we expect to do nowadays.

Generally I take these claims with a pinch of salt, you can only really know when there's a FSH, if you know the car, or by closer inspection.

[amazondean]

I actualy asked the seller a question relating to the claimed mileage. Asking if he has any relevant documents to back up his claim, other than from 1999 which means diddly squat. He sent me a snotty reply. Luckily there wont be many people fooled, as these cars were originaly purchased by people who did high mileages when new even if it was in the 1960's

[222s]

Originally Posted by amazondean

I actualy asked the seller a question relating to the claimed mileage. Asking if he has any relevant documents to back up his claim, other than from 1999 which means diddly squat. He sent me a snotty reply.

I thought that would be his reaction, which is why I haven't bothered asking him myself.

[Pigeon]

The mileage is pretty irrelevant on an Amazon anyway, or anything of that age, it's more important simply to check for the signs of how well it has been maintained rather than judging on the basis of some figure on the clock.

[capt jack]

Old Volvos or anything else, when it comes to ANY second hand car, it's got to be Buyer Beware. Always assume the mileometer to be wrong unless the owner has concrete proof to the contrary.

Old Mots, service books, receipts etc etc are all very well, but the reason all this old-style paperwork has been replaced by the newer computerised stuff is because the older stuff has been so easy to forge.

Bet you with a bit of effort anyone with a PC could create a complete set of 'old' Mots and service records for any old car. All you need then is the tried and tested methods of rigging an analogue speedo (not at all difficult) and bingo, your '66 Amazon can go from intergalactic to 'one sweet little old lady' mileage in an afternoon.

Look at the overall condition of the car. Worn pedals, carpets, seats, trim etc are a much better indication than anything. Look too at the area of the windscreen swept by the wipers - if you can see myriad surface scratches then be suspicious!

Jack