High Mileage Concerns

[cwilding]

All,

I want to buy a Q5, my budget is about £18k which I know is probably a bit light.

I could buy a very basic spec model with about 40,000 on clock, or a well specced SLine with more like 90 to 100k on the clock.

Bearing in mind I will only be buying privately (personal decision) and every car will have to be Full Audi Service History and HPI clear then what are peoples views or suggestions? I know there isn't a "right answer" here, but I'm trying to guage from knowledgable people.

I am of an age where I've got a "issue" with high mileage cars even though I know it is less relevant with today's diesel engines in particular.

All opinions gratefully recieved.

[zollaf]

years ago you wouldn't touch a car that had done 60k, if any car had made it to 60k. nowadays, 100k, even 150k, isn't high miles. 300k is high. but, its the little things like injectors and turbos that fail these days, so do your homework, as an injector can be a lot of money, especially if you need 4 of them and a pressure pump.

[green A8]

I can remember a time when company cars were replaced a 60k too Zoll, and they were only fit for the breakers yard! My company Montego estate started to fall to bits within a fortnight of being registered! The Marina I had only lasted 18 months before it was replaced (engine seized) The last company car I had full term was an Audi A8 It lasted me two years and clocked up 206k during that time. Other than longlife services, it had one replacement gearbox and torque converter and two new wiper motors and linkages. Oh and one headlight, but that was caused by a lorry throwing a wheel nut at the car, so not really an Audi wear problem. The A8's still on the road, last time I saw it, it was just coming up to 250k. Following that I had an RS6 Avant, but I only had it just over a year as I retired. It too is still on the road. Quality cars these Audi's.

If I was you I'd be looking at buying from the trade as well a private sellers. You see traders are bound by law and can be made to correct faults. Private sellers seem to be able to get away with anything. Some of the worst car buys within the family have been from private sellers, to be fair many of these sellers were and are mechanical dunces, and wouldn't know what a camshaft was if they fell over one. Traders will usually at least try to put any faults or niggles found post sale right to keep the buyer happy.

[itavaltalainen]

I would go for a newer car with high mileage over an older one with low mileage.

Age gets to a car before mileage.

Also a car that is a few years old and has only few miles on the clock was likely only ever driven short distances. Arguably this causes more wear than it having done an awful lot more miles on the motorway.
My current company car has already done nearly 80k - and I expect to hit nearly 90k by the time it's two years old. It will probably go back to lease company with 135k on the clock. At the moment it drives and rides no different to a brand new one I get as courtesy car when it gets it's service. Would be surprised if it would not get to at least 200k miles....

[Gazwould]

As above , I'd purchase from a dealer and get a free 6 month warranty called the Sale of Goods Act 1979.

The cost of anything going wrong on these more unreliable modern Audi's is massive.

[MarkTM]

Almost 3 months on did OP return with an update...by that I mean did he buy one? :)

I bought a 5yr old SE with 80k miles privately, absolutely no service history.

Not only have I had no issues apart from standard maintenance/consumables (excluding a new alternator/battery and abs loom) but it cost me circa £5k less than the cheapest one available trade at the time. Whereas I know of at least a dozen owners of new and/or FSH cars that have been plagued with issues.

Guess the luck of draw? :D