Hello all, I'm looking at getting a second hand diesel Octavia or Superb. I'll be doing a lot of motorway miles (15k plus a year) . From your experience what would be a sensible upper limit for mileage if I wanted to get 5 or 6 years of relatively hastle free motoring? I know there will be no one answer and every car is different but I'm just trying to get a feel for the bracket and budget I should be looking at. Thanks very much, Dave. 

Edited 18 April, 20197 yr by Daveneedsacar
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Hi Dave,

What kind of age of second hand car are you looking at getting? Do you have a budget in mind even as a rough guide? As £1.5k vs £15k could make quite a difference!

Of my own personal experience, I picked up a 2006 mk2 octavia Estate back in 2013, it had one owner from new, a full service history, 85k on the clock, and the garage fitted a new DMF and Cambelt/water pump as part of the deal.....
6 years later I still have the car, now with 225k on the clock (115k of that with a stage 1 remap) The car is still on the same DMF, original Turbo, 1 replacement cambelt (and due another soon) and, apart from a slight scratch over the rear wheel arch, as good as new.
In that time its had 1 new set of discs and pads all round (I don't brake much ) and two rear calipers replaced due to leaking. 1 lower arm& bush due to wear n tear, 1 thermostat housing due to leaking with fatigue as its a plastic component. 12 services, 1 pair of headlight bulbs to try and improve brightness, and about 2 or 3 sets of tyres.

Not bad for a £5k purchase!

Personally I'd say the mk2 version of both products are probably the most bulletproof. PD engines go on forever if serviced properly. And err, yeah, go find a good-un!

Edited 18 April, 20197 yr by robt100

It sounds like you have a great car! I have been looking at around 5k however could stretch a little if I necessary. I had my eye on a 2010 octavia however someone swept in and got there first unfortunately. Its good to see people getting 200k plus out of the cars though.

 

Appreciate the very informative message. Thanks! 

Service & running costs in  6 years would require 5/6 services on variable in 90K miles plus a T/Belt & water pump. I would look for a low number of owners & a large service / belt change just been done plus newish tyres if not then budget for them.  If you could find one with around 6-8K a year with yearly serving low ownership would be a good starting point. No real answer for milage as depends on how the car has been looked after more than how far it has gone.

Sounds very sensible, thanks.