General What's considered high mileage for the 1.2ltr engine?

[Steve Swan]

I'm being tempted into buying a late 2014 500C 1.2ltr Lounge with 95k miles on the clock. From the MOT history and general lack of wear & tear I think most of the miles were clocked up on motorways. There's a good amount of service stamps but no receipts for work such as timing belt or clutch so I suspect they have not been changed - what sort of cost would I be looking at to get these done?
Is 95k mile considered too high for a 1.2ltr? Is there anything else I should be checking for?
Thanks in advance.

 

[jrkitching]

I don't think it was that cheap - £4,300 for a 2014 with 95k on the clock.

It wasn't.

I'd have walked away from that one at £1000.

 

[varesecrazy]

I saw an auction listing for a 500

Last MOT showing 42k, was in 2019

5 years ago..

Makes you wonder doesn't it..

 

[AnthonyH]

I don't see much difference between buying at auction or from a used car salesman. (Except for price)

 

[PuntoHowTo]

It wasn't.

I'd have walked away from that one at £1000.

agreed, if you are buying a car as your daily driver and you just want something hassle free and cheap to run, then you don't want to get into buying some project car no matter how cheap it may be.

I have always wondered about these people who advertise cars with faults as "cheap" or "easy" fix. So either its not cheap and easy or you would have done it. or its a small problem hiding something bigger, or it could just be the owner has no care at all is tight as a ducks ass and so what else have they neglected.

I once drove all the way to London to look at a car, I was told it was perfect, the car was a great deal etc etc. it looked good in the pictures, but when I got there the sales man couldn't care less, I took a look round it, could not find a panel without dents or scratches, the interior was equally poorly maintained with broken pieces of trim scratches etc. this was a 3 year old car at the time so I walked away. If that is the condition they want to present the car in, and that is an indication of how the car has been looked after up until that point, then I am not interested even if you gave it too me its no use to me if I have to spend a fortune sorting all the problems and that's my only car.

 

[John202020]

If you're used to buying second hand cars I think you'll know when you look at a good car, our Mazda bought 11 years ago from a car supermarket, salesman said " its a good car " and yes its turned out to be, spent less than £2k to keep it on the road in all that time in servicing costs, our Fiat, looked good was an OK price from a typical used car dealer, noted brakes very poor on test drive, they replaced battery, SUMP, and discs and pads before collection FOC great service.

 

[jrkitching]

you don't want to get into buying some project car no matter how cheap it may be

Exactly that.

You need to focus on what it would cost you to put right what's wrong with it, not what's good about it.

If the repairs are going to cost more that the value of the car once everything is put right, then it's a parts pack.

The book valuing system tends to overvalue bad cars, and undervalue good ones.

 

[Gina500]

If you're used to buying second hand cars I think you'll know when you look at a good car, our Mazda bought 11 years ago from a car supermarket, salesman said " its a good car " and yes its turned out to be, spent less than £2k to keep it on the road in all that time in servicing costs

That‘s a Japanese car, they are different…

 

[steveras57]

The principles of purchasing remain the same whatever the brand, a good car is good and will show the SIGNS of being cared for!- and a bad one wont! also the "vibe" of the seller is quite important! is something raises your hackles the moment you start to speak to them then beware! your instincts are there for a reason!

 

[AnthonyH]

The principles of purchasing remain the same whatever the brand, a good car is good and will show the SIGNS of being cared for!- and a bad one wont! also the "vibe" of the seller is quite important! is something raises your hackles the moment you start to speak to them then beware! your instincts are there for a reason!

So true, trust your gut instinct.