Something to Think About When Considering High-mileage Vehicles.

A car that has done 80,000 miles has driven the equivalent of the ENTIRE length of the African continent 

16 times.

By 80-90k most cars will require usually non-consumable parts to be replaced. 

Non consumable parts tend to be much more expensive than consumable parts like brake pads, spark plugs and tires. Average sealed wheel bearings are typically rated for about 85-100k miles and will set you back between £150-200 dependent on the car. The moving and stress bearing parts of suspension assemblies, even in good cars like BMWs, have lives not that much in excess of 100k miles as bushes, ball joints and other components begin to require replacement. 

A car that has done 100,000 miles has driven the equivalent of

 4 TIMES around the WORLD.

Or the entire length of England nearly 200 times.

For a petrol engine to join the 100,000 mile club reliably it needs to have been looked after very well indeed. We're not talking the paltry oil and filter change every now and again and a bit of fuel additive. We're taking regular servicing that never misses a service interval for a specific part. 

So check that "Full" Service History before you part with any cash. It only takes a quick Google search to check when important service intervals are for a certain car (like cam-belt and water pump changes for instance - which can cost anywhere up-to £350 to replace, dependent on the make and model)

As the car ages and is used various perishable parts like rubber piping, hose clips and connectors will begin to need replacing. 

Sensors, like the lambda and others, typically last around 70-90,000 miles and the parts alone can cost up to £100 (without fitting). 

Brake discs will require replacing around 100k dependent on the type of driving; usually before for many vehicles. For a Ford Focus on an '05 plate two, front discs will be £50 without fitting.

Injectors, though they should last the life of the vehicle, are reliant on regular servicing to do so and should they require replacement due to lack of servicing, expect to have your wallet pounded as even lower car marques can run up a bill of £300-£400 for injector replacement. Individual injectors for a BMW 3-Series are around £100 each (that's also without fitting) . 

Door seal rubbers will begin to perish dependent on how well that have been looked after (typically they are a neglected part). This goes for the rubber seals and mechanisms for sunroofs as well, which will begin to let water in if not looking after. 

Bodywork if not cared for will begin to rust and corrode; the undercarriage and wheel arches if not properly looked after will begin to rust the quickest. Some cars are obviously prone to rust more than others but all standard road cars are primarily made of ferrous metals; it only takes a tiny chip in the paintwork or covering to let moisture in and start reacting with the metal underneath to cause rust.

Engine mountings though rated usually for the life of the vehicle are also prone to perishing after prolonged exposed to fluctuating temperatures in the engine bay, salt ingress from road grit and various other chemicals and oils that might get on them from the engine. Not to mention all the dirt, grime that may spray up while driving.

Consider the wear on the mechanical structure and engine components of a vehicle that has driven the equivalent of four times around the world. Whether it's done that mileage in Ipswich or not, the vehicle has been under a substantial amount of mechanical stress and if it has not been regularly serviced and looked after you "bargain" Mondeo may end up costing you double what you parted for it.

The other issue with most modern cars (modern as in the last 15-20 odd years) is that they are not made with parts that are designed to be repaired; they are made with inexpensive parts designed to be replaced. 

Skimming blocks and re-boring cylinders are ancient practices by modern standards. Head gasket failure is death for most cars because most modern blocks are cast from aluminium alloy which is easier to work with and has better heat transfer qualities. However, do you know what happens to aluminum alloy when you heat it up to above a critical temperature; like that which is reached when a head gaskets fails? It turns to mush. 

Many parts, due to their design, are made to wear out and be replaced. How long are many key parts of a car designed to last...?

About 100,000 miles,

oddly enough.

Of course there are exceptions to common rules, as there always are. Some cars are better built than others and use better parts. Diesel engines are generally stronger than the equivalent petrol block. Though they can be more fickle and require just as much servicing and looking after to make them out last their petrol drinking cousins. They also tend to be a little more expensive when things need replacing.

Naturally a £350 Astra with 90k on it will do you a turn for a year or so, maybe longer. The consideration is that it will probably end up costing you more than it will ever be worth during that time. High mileage cars can get you out of trouble for a spell, get you to work and back for six months or take the kids to school. 

Far too many people, however, fall into the trap of buying a high mileage car not realising what is involved at the point where that counter hits the 90-100k mark. Or they are duped into parting with hard-earned cash for a car they are told is "reliable" simply because it's a Mercedes or an Audi.

No car is reliable if it is not looked after.

So think before you hand the cash over for that Ford Focus or Vauxhall Vectra with 130k on the clock...