Hi, I'm based in Ireland and am interested in buying a used Superb Estate, 2010/11.

 

I've convinced myself that I should go for the 2 litre, 140 or 170hp version as from reading around it sounds like it'll be a much nicer drive with the extra power.

 

I test drove a 2011 Elegance model on Saturday which had been imported to Ireland from the UK.

 

It has what I would consider to be very high mileage at 108000 miles - I'm wondering should I even be considering buying it....

 

It has full Skoda service history and a new timing belt put in very recently.

 

Just wondering what people's thoughts are on a 2011 car with that level of mileage - am I over-reacting in considering that to be too many miles on the clock to be buying?

 

I'd probably be doing 15-20k miles a year in it (50 miles a day commuting) and looking to get a good 7-10 more years out of the car (I don't change cars very often if I can avoid it!)

 

All advice on the above, or on the Superb Estate in general, very much appreciated!

I have recently bought a 2011 superb elegance 170 horse with 125k on it and it's absolutely fine. As long as the usual stuff is ok (clutch,dmf,turbo,etc.) and there's no rattles or leaks then there shouldn't be a problem. If you can verify the car has done mainly motorway work (which at that age/mileage it would be) and the history is all there then no worries. The engine will do that mileage again without a problem as long as the service schedule is kept up. They're great cars don't let a little thing like mileage worry

you lol!

Hi I second the comments made in the previous reply, assuming the service history is complete and up to date the car essentially has been used and done what it was built for, these engines will, with care and correct servicing, cover mega mileage and it sounds like your usage will suit it down to the ground, just ensure the buying price reflects the higher milage..........

Hmm, I'm not quite so convinced.

 

I too have recently bought a 2011 CR140 Superb and I too cover high annual mileage (30,000).

 

I sacrificed spec to ensure I got the lowest mileage / newest one I could find knowing I would be running it until it died.

 

If the car you are loking at already has 108,000 miles on it and you want to keep it for 10 years at 20K per year then you are expecting it to reach 300,000+ miles.

 

This is possible but you have to accept that you will likely have to throw some money at it during its time with you (turbo, DPF, DMF, clutch, suspension etc.).

 

I paid £12,995 last year for my 2011 SE with 14,000 miles on it. I need 5 years out of it so am hoping it'll make it to 160,000 miles trouble free.

The CR140 and 170 are both very good engines and capable of in intergalactic mileage. I would not let mileage put you off, modern engines are much better than old ones. There is a reason why the superb diesels are used by taxi firms, its because the engine is reliable and long lasting. 108K is nothing, the engines can do 300K plus with no problem.

 

Buy on condition and service history, ignore mileage.

The engine (although significant) is not the only consideration on a high mileage car which you are planning to run until it falls over.

 

Modern cars whilst increasingly reliable do suffer more expensive faults when they do fail, especially on the peripherals as mentioned earlier such as turbo's, dual mass flywheels, disel particulate filters and the increasing reliance on electrical sensors.

 

If I was doing 10K per year I'd have no hesitation in buying a car with higher mileage. When doing close to 30K in a car you need 10 years life out of then mileage has to be a more significant influence on anyones purchase decision.

Hi Silver, From your posts, should I assume (I know its not gospel, but based on law of averages!) that the peripheral items that you've listed are unlikely to suffer many problems before 130-150k miles?

 

I'm looking at a 2009 4x4 170bhp with 80k miles, plan to keep it for 3 years and likely to do 20k per year during that time... If I can get it to 140k ish with limited issues, I'll be a happy bunny!

The life expectancy of a lot of the items I listed are down to the driver and their driving style and levels of mechanical sympathy. 

 

Frequent servicing (fresh oil) gives the turbo the best chance of survival. Allowing sufficient time for it to cool before stopping the engine (and oil flow) and not overworking the turbo from cold.

 

Ignoring the on-dash gear change recommendations will allow you to avoid stressing the DMF. Driving purely for fuel economy (low speed/RPM and high load/acceleration) will shorten the life of a DMF.

 

Poor quality fuel and frequent short journey's will quickly finish off a DPF. 

 

A clutch can easily last the life of any modern car. Equally a poor driver can finish off a clutch before the car reaches 50,000 miles or less.

 

This is why I prefer to buy a car with as low mileage as I can afford. This way I can limit the exposure of these vulnerable components.

 

However by sacrificing age for low mileage means perishable items such as rubber hoses and suspension bushes will have naturally deteriorated through age. 

 

It's a balance.

 

I really wanted an Elegance spec Superb, but I sacrificed spec for a younger (2 years old) and lower mileage (14,000 miles) SE. 

 

I do 30,000 miles a year and need my Superb to last at least 5 years, that'll be the 14,000 miles it had on when I bought it plus 150,000 miles.

 

Even with my level of mechanical sympathy I think it'll be close to death by then, however the key for me is to minimise the repair costs from now until it reaches 164,000 miles.

 

Buying a car with 80,000 miles on it, even an ex-fleet car with full service history and all motorway miles would make me nervous.

 

Each to their own. Good luck with your quest!

Slightly off topic I know but my six year old Golf has now covered 175k. It has the supposedly dodgy BXE con rod snapping engine. (1.9TDI).  I was advised to switch to 10k servicing after 80k miles which I did and only use correct spec Castrol edge and Mann filters. There have been no problems with the car at all. I have changed parts as I feel they are due... brakes, shocks and belts etc. I think it was good advice as the car uses no oil between services and MOT wise has never even had an advisory.