How old for a 'new' car?

[carcapers]

If you were buying a new (for you), but used car, what would be the oldest you would buy?

I need a new one, but cars are so bloomin' expensive now!

Last car I bought was 6 years old at the time, so I didn't want to buy anything older than that this time round, but I think need to reconsider!

I will likely need to take it on finance, so will need to keep it for probably 4 years.

I really don't want PCP.

Any advice?

I usually go about 3-4yrs old. Although with current prices i couldn't afford a car that "new", so I'll be driving my current car for some time to come.

The prices are shocking aren't they? Both of our cars are on their last legs but mine will have to limp along for a few more years.

The last time we bought cars we bought 3 year old ones. Unfortunately prices aren't massively lower than new cars so we will be looking at about 5 years old instead.

We normally go to a dealer for an approved used car as they usually come with an extended warranty and service history etc. The last one was 4 years old.

I think I would take mileage into account as well. For instance a 3 yr old car with 60,000 miles vs 5 year old car with 40,000 miles.

I would prefer under 5 years for a used vehicle, and under 75000 miles.

My current car had just turned 3 when I got it. I spent more than I wanted to really, but I'm pleased with it and expect / hope to drive it for at least the next 7 years / until it becomes unreliable.

I always find these threads so fascinating because I just am not a car person, and my parents always drove old cars so the responses so far seem so alien to me!

Until very recently, I've been driving a 2003 plate car which served me very well, never had any major problems in the ~5 years we had it. The only reason I got rid in the end was a minor issue that was totally repairable, but we needed to change to a different type of vehicle for various reasons so it seemed like a good time to say goodbye.

I've now got a 2013 plate car which in my eyes might as well be a brand new vehicle 😉

I think I'd probably have to be a multi millionaire before I considered buying a car newer than 5 years old tbh 🤣

I bought a 5 year old car 2 years ago, it had really low mileage and was bought just before second hand cars went ridiculously expensive. I knew I needed to drive to Europe next year so needed something that wouldn't be too old and suitable for the journey.

I really wanted a newer version of my existing car but just couldn't afford it so spent months on auto trader working out what were my priority wants, confirming my budget and driving to all sorts of garages only for the advertised car not to be what was actually on the fore court.

My previous car was 16 years old.

I do not evjoy car shopping!

Might be way out of budget, but a few dealers (Renault? Volvo) giving 0% finance on new cars at the min, depending on your budget it might be worth looking at if you're taking finance anyway & expect to keep it for several years.

Kia, Hyundai, Toyota have 7+ year warranties I think, so maybe see what you could get around 4 years old?

I think all cars are a gamble but personally nothing over 5 years & look for 'reliable' makes - Japanese cars always seem to be rated highly.

We have one that’s 15 years old and another 8 years old, no problems, breakdowns nor major repair bills with either. Cars last an average of 13 years these days. Their mileage and how well they’ve been driven and looked after is more important than age.

We live in outer London and had a Diesel which wasn't ULEZ friendly. So we traded in our 12 year old Passat.

As DH was determined to get a hybrid we now have a 18 month old Skoda.

I think he looked for 2-3 years max and it was really difficult to get one.

The car market is shocking just now pushing up prices of the 2nd hand market to ridiculous levels! My old car was brand new when i got it and just over 6.5 when it was written off. Full service history, top spec 50 000 miles - the only cars i could buy with my settlement figure were older or much higher mileage or lower spec.

in the end i put £5k to it as i had the money to and bought an approved used (different make) car which was 5 (i hate it but seemed best of a bad lot) not as “fancy” as what i had but lowish mileage and i’m hoping to keep it and run it into the ground or until it costs too much to repair as my kids will be older & no car seats so can get something nicer. I’d look for lower mileage and i tend to buy approved used too but i would never buy an approved used VW this is my first and last one!

I've just bought a new (to me!) car, 2020 reg, 2.5 years old, replacing my 2012 reg.

I've been looking since Christmas as there weren't many of the model/colour/age/price that I want and I was prepared to wait until I found exactly what I wanted, but I am shocked at how much the prices have gone up even since December! It cost me slightly more than I would like to have paid but it is what it is.

Our last two cars have been relatively old - 8 years due primarily to cost. They have been in the 90-100,000 mile range which is about average I think.

As with everything buyer beware - check the service history and make sure that things like cam belts/timing chains have been replaced at the regular intervals.

Its may also be worth prioritising cars with one or two owners as then you generally have consistency of maintenance (hopefully).

For specific cars its also worth checking the MOT history - best ones are those with fewer advisories as they show good maintenance.

Finally, its worth checking the tyres - whats their state in terms of tread and also what brand are they - if they are Firestone, Goodyear, Michelin etc - well known names - you will know its been looked after well, if its some a brand you've never heard of its probably been done on the cheap.

And its worth having a contingency fund of a £1000 or so for servicing and to fix problems that might come up. Its better to spend £8,000 and have money left over for servicing than spend £10,000 and not be able to afford to service or pay for something unexpected that might arise.

A good car dealer should be able to help - one that has been around for a while and is established in an area rather than a random fly by night character.