My wife is currently looking at buying a new/nearly new Ford Fiesta.

There are lots (and lots..) to choose from obviously.

One of the better deals on offer at the moment are for very low mileage ex Channel Islands cars.

Somewhere in the depths of my mind I recall some time ago some bad stories about these cars but cannot come up with anything concrete.

Has anyone got any advice or opinions about these seeming bargains please ?

On the face of it, a very low mileage nearly new model with £££'s off seems a good deal....?

Think most will be ex hire cars.

Do they still have a 40mph limit over there?

My dad had until very recently an ex Channel Island hire car (Fiesta Style Climate+), and it was very cheap. Didn't give him an ounce of trouble in the 2 years he owned it. Bought it from the local main dealer too.

They are ex-rental cars. Mate of mine bought an ex-Jersey hire Fiesta in 2003 - he still has it!

With the roads as they are in the channel islands (especially Guernsey) then they cannot have been thrashed - there is nowhere where the speed limit is over 50mph. There is no way to rack up a high mileage.

I think they get them to use for a single season then move them on.

It wouldn't worry me to buy one - I've had 2 ex-rental (UK) cars and they were both great buys.

With small roads I would expect plenty of scratches and dents.

Is rust an issue on them IIRC?

I expect they appreciate being "opened up" once repatriated on the main land My memory of Jersey is all the cars driving by going "click click click" because the tyre treads were full of stones, but they never got quick enough to reach a speed where they all flick out. The entreprenuer in me was thinking what a good business it might be to offer "tread de-stoning"....

PS: jersey had a national speed limit of 40mph last time I was there. I don't recall any 50mph bits. Had great fun in a hire-KA when I was there for a few days in about 2004.

Most used cars at dealers these days are ex motability or ex short lease cars so i wouldn't worry to much

Thanks for taking the time to respond guys...

...useful info & a bit of reassurance too.