High Mileage Diesel (1 Viewer)

no_loyalty

Well-Known Member
I'm looking to buy a used car in the next few months, my preference would be a 2.0 TDI Audi A4 Estate no older than a 2011 plate, just had a quick look on Autotrader for what I could buy for my set budget, all coming in between 115,000 to 135,000 mile mark.

I Have heard that diesels are very reliable whatever their mileage, is this a bit of a myth? I have never bought a diesel or high mileage car before so feedback would be appreciated
 

olderskyblue

Well-Known Member
I'm looking to buy a used car in the next few months, my preference would be a 2.0 TDI Audi A4 Estate no older than a 2011 plate, just had a quick look on Autotrader for what I could buy for my set budget, all coming in between 115,000 to 135,000 mile mark.

I Have heard that diesels are very reliable whatever their mileage, is this a bit of a myth? I have never bought a diesel or high mileage car before so feedback would be appreciated

Guy who used to work for me had a 2.0L A6 estate. Did 335,000 in it. FSH and It was always serviced by a main dealer. Another mate has a Mercedes Vito. Done 495,000. Needs more upkeep but still runs well.

It depends if it's been well looked after and serviced on time it could be worth a punt.
 

wingy

Well-Known Member
I've been looking into deisels too but wondering what the tax implications are going to be like with the Govt stated directive .
While researching it led me to wonder if going slightly higher mileage than your band, which would also have been mine would be beneficial as many apoear to require clutches and injectors around those miles.
Both expensive components, possibly better off going for 150K vehicles that have been done ?
 
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Marty

Well-Known Member
A lad at work exclusively buys high mileage diesels, he says the engines haven't even been broken in by 100k. He was a mechanic at Audi or Mercedes (can't remember which of the top of my head).
 

ovduk78

Well-Known Member
We've got 2 Volvo diesels, an 03 plate V40 which has done 200,000 and an 05 plate XC70 which has done 135,000. Both had a fsh when we bought them and I've never done anything on the V40 except check fluids etc and get anything that has broken fixed and have done nearly 30,000 in 4 years trouble free although it may need a new clutch soon. The XC70 will be getting a full service in a bit and has done nearly 10,000 in just over a year. Both are still giving ok mpg with the V40 at 40-45 and the XC70 at 35-40. The road tax is £150 for the V40 and £305 for the XC70.
 

Adge

Well-Known Member
Bit hit and miss for me buying a high mileage car. “100,000 motorway miles” which is supposed to big up lack of gear changes and clutch use.
Motorway miles are not magic miles so the shocks/springs/ball joints etc still have 100,000 miles of wear and tear the same as if it was driven mainly in town. 100,000 is when the clutch/flywheels are needing replacing but you may get away with another 20-30000 Miles.
If you are unsure check the history of the motor on here with the past. M.o.t’s
Check the MOT status of a vehicle - GOV.UK

Just for the record I purchased a BMW 5 series with 98,000 on the clock and had it 4 years and it’s mechanically sound and serviced by myself. If you were to buy say a Fiat/Peugeot with the same amount of miles to me that would be more of a gamble.
:emoji_thumbsup:
 

jimmyhillsfanclub

Well-Known Member
I'm looking to buy a used car in the next few months, my preference would be a 2.0 TDI Audi A4 Estate no older than a 2011 plate, just had a quick look on Autotrader for what I could buy for my set budget, all coming in between 115,000 to 135,000 mile mark.

I Have heard that diesels are very reliable whatever their mileage, is this a bit of a myth? I have never bought a diesel or high mileage car before so feedback would be appreciated

Cant really comment on the high mileage aspect, but have you considered a SEAT EXEO Estate.......same car with a spanish badge which gives you way more bang for your buck.
 

duffer

Well-Known Member
Fwiw my old V70 had 250,000 miles when I sold it, and ran on for another 30,000 at least. I also ran a BMW 528i for well over 250,000 miles and I've got another one now which is a nipper at 150k. These were all petrol btw.

I've gone off diesels a bit, even though they are generally better mpg wise I got tired of issues with EGR valves and filters etc on my last one.

Mind you that was a Citroen diesel, amazing economy but having those engine warning lights going on and off like a disco gets wearing after a while. :)
 

duffer

Well-Known Member
FSH is the key, btw. No fsh, walk away, no matter how shiny, imho.

Check the MOT history too, that can uncover dubious mileage and other possible issues - you can do that free online at the gov.uk website..
 

Nick

Administrator
Am always very wary of high mileage though so just filter them out for like 65000 just as I am worried about having to pay loads in upkeep.

As jimmyhillsfanclub says though, the Exeo's are a pretty decent spec. As soon as you choose Audi and Diesel the price shoots up :(
 

rob9872

Well-Known Member
I'm looking to buy a used car in the next few months, my preference would be a 2.0 TDI Audi A4 Estate no older than a 2011 plate, just had a quick look on Autotrader for what I could buy for my set budget, all coming in between 115,000 to 135,000 mile mark.

I Have heard that diesels are very reliable whatever their mileage, is this a bit of a myth? I have never bought a diesel or high mileage car before so feedback would be appreciated

What is your budget? I might be able to help.
 

fernandopartridge

Well-Known Member
Bit hit and miss for me buying a high mileage car. “100,000 motorway miles” which is supposed to big up lack of gear changes and clutch use.
Motorway miles are not magic miles so the shocks/springs/ball joints etc still have 100,000 miles of wear and tear the same as if it was driven mainly in town. 100,000 is when the clutch/flywheels are needing replacing but you may get away with another 20-30000 Miles.
If you are unsure check the history of the motor on here with the past. M.o.t’s
Check the MOT status of a vehicle - GOV.UK

Just for the record I purchased a BMW 5 series with 98,000 on the clock and had it 4 years and it’s mechanically sound and serviced by myself. If you were to buy say a Fiat/Peugeot with the same amount of miles to me that would be more of a gamble.
:emoji_thumbsup:

Cheers for posting the MOT link, just realised that my car's MOT runs out tomorrow and supposed to be driving to Mansfield on Saturday. You're alright sometimes!
 

Nick

Administrator
I've been looking at a4 and a6 estates, there are quite a few nice ones on autotrader but for the budget they will be mega high miles.

The facelift models are really nice, but it still worries me about the high mileage :(
 

no_loyalty

Well-Known Member
I've been looking at a4 and a6 estates, there are quite a few nice ones on autotrader but for the budget they will be mega high miles.

The facelift models are really nice, but it still worries me about the high mileage :(

Yes it will be a big gamble, trying to do some research first before buying
 

duffer

Well-Known Member
As long as my fog lights and high beam are on I don't mind ;)

That's OK, I can't normally tell whether the Audi driver behind me has their foglights or main beam on because they're always right under my bumper. Usually they're so close that I can smell the driver's aftershave! Grrrrrrrrrrr..... ;)
 

Astute

Well-Known Member
I've gone off diesels a bit, even though they are generally better mpg wise I got tired of issues with EGR valves and filters etc on my last one.
Sounds like you used supermarket diesel. If you put in a decent diesel it is low sulphur. Everything stays clean. Use the cheap diesel and you save money in the short term. But it doesn't take long before things clog up and your MPG suffers and you start getting problems eventually.
 

Nick

Administrator
I put some of the high quality diesel in the other day to clean my engine, no difference at all :( Was expecting to it be like back in the day when you put some Redex in and then hammer it down the bypass with loads of crap coming out of the exhaust.
 

skybluejelly

Well-Known Member
I have a 1.9 tdi Passat estate with 235,000 on the clock and still pulls like a train,keep saying I will get rid of it but it's so handy for the dog and tip runs ..Seen loads of them with 300,000 plus,have just sold our a3 convertible with 135,000 on it nothing wrong with engine but electrics were starting to play up ..have replaced it a newer one with 30,000 on the clock ..as long as you are going to do reasonable mileage you shouldn't have any dpf problems ..I certainly wouldn't be put off by high mileage well maintained diesels
 

Paxman II

Well-Known Member
Well diesel's will run forever but you must remember everything else will over time have issues (suspension, bearings, cam belt, brake pies, exhaust, brakes, you name it. Any high mileage car will require more attention, it's not all about the engine. Now the Government are saying diesels are a pollutant and sales are down.
I find any car your service well at regular intervals, don't thrash it around like it was a Ferrari and you should be fine.
I have two cars, one is a jaguar S type with 154k on the clock but you would never know it. It drives like new, looks pretty impressive and because of that I'm buying another Jag.
In fact I'll be selling it soon if anyone is interested.
 
W

westcountry_skyblue

Guest
I have an 04 plate Peugeot 205 1.4 diesel,Had it three years its done 180,000 Best fuel economy car ive ever had.
Bought for £500 three years ago and I put in a new gearbox,Clutch etc and sailed through two mots since.
Drove to MK and back the other week on £20 worth of diesel.Was only gonna use it as a run around for a few months but thought stuff it keep it going.
 

Nick

Administrator
Did you find one in the end?

Going to have a look at a couple this week to see if they are any good.
 

Covstu

Well-Known Member
I am lucky to have a company car but it would certainly be worth checking whether it was an ex fleet car as usually it would have a decent service history over a private vehicle. My old man's Volvo estate finally gave up the ghost at about 240k.
 

Astute

Well-Known Member
I put some of the high quality diesel in the other day to clean my engine, no difference at all :( Was expecting to it be like back in the day when you put some Redex in and then hammer it down the bypass with loads of crap coming out of the exhaust.
It takes about 5 tanks to make a difference. But using it stops it getting worse.

Take off your EGR valve and clean it. You should get an immediate boost if it is caked up.
 

fernandopartridge

Well-Known Member
Just drove a Vauxhall Mokka hire car after after driven a Seat Leon and VW Golf previously. No wonder Vauxhall is going down the pan, huge gap in quality and driving experience between the Vauxhall and the other two, albeit different types of car.
 

Adge

Well-Known Member
Just drove a Vauxhall Mokka hire car after after driven a Seat Leon and VW Golf previously. No wonder Vauxhall is going down the pan, huge gap in quality and driving experience between the Vauxhall and the other two, albeit different types of car.
Yeah, the daughter purchased a new Mokka a year or so ago for practicality etc, but yes, not the best for me either.
 

duffer

Well-Known Member
I am lucky to have a company car but it would certainly be worth checking whether it was an ex fleet car as usually it would have a decent service history over a private vehicle. My old man's Volvo estate finally gave up the ghost at about 240k.

Just run in at 240k mate, I bet that was because you were caning it every time you borrowed it! :)
 

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