How many miles is too many?

Mileage means nothing if there's no service history. A car with 150k and serviced regularly would get my vote over a car with 82k and no history.

But 82k is nothing on an engine really.
 
Hi guys,

I've found a nice 2004 Mazda6 but it has 82k on the clock. With today's engines, is that ok?


Thanks.


Mines done 120k the a/c will probably be knackered both my petrol 04 and my diesel 54 both needed £300 from Mazda to get working, pipes leaking quite common.

I had a new clutch in diesel @ 100k which isn't cheap but my petrol I traded it in as the clutch was on it's way out again at 100k.

If it's a diesel insist on starting it up from very cold if it stalls it could be the egr valve which is pennies but it could be the fuel pump which is a fortune and probably write the car off.

Other than that mine have been faultless I've done nearly 80,000 miles in both and they both have been good cars, the diesel is a much better engine the 2ltr petrol is rubbish like the 2ltr petrol VAG engine.
 
It's got a full service history!

Means nothing if the previous owner didn't get the advice bits and bobs done.

Check the clutch in 5th it should stall straight away with the handbrake on and check the a/c is ice cold, check the cold starting if diesel
 
The answer to this question depends on what the car is and how much it costs. Generally speaking a well looked after modern car that's done mostly longer journeys will be in as good if not better condition than one with half the mileage which has had a far more average usage pattern. My own car is still absolutely immaculate despite very high mileage. Therefore, logic dictates that high mileage is perfectly fine.

HOWEVER..

This becomes a little more blurred when you are buying a more complicated car. In this circumstance, often the ability to have a warranty on the car will save you more money and give you more peace of mind than buying a higher mileage car which somebody won't sell you a warranty for. It's all about jumping through the hoops of the warranty firms - I doubt the higher mileage car is any more prone to failiure, but they beleive it is so you won't get a warranty on a 100k mile car so might instead be forced to buy a much lower mileage car to ensure you can buy a decent, high quality warranty for it.

But for something like an 04 Mazda6 for which this doesn't apply, buy the best condition one you can find.
 
With todays cars, 200k is - to my mind - the 100k of old as such.

As long as its been serviced regularly (with proof of the fact) the miles are not the issue, the condition overall matters far more.

As for trucks (sorry, can't help slip that in :D ) 400k miles on a 3 year old is not uncommon and 9 times out of 10, you would not know it had done half that distance.
 
My Z3's only on 48,000 yet still rattles and creaks.
The Volvo's on 190,000 and only creaks are the arm rest, my seat when I go round corners and the squeal from under the bonnet :o
 
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