Best way to spend £10k - a newer car or an older one with savings for repairs

[PuppyVsCar]

Hello, I'm looking for advice for our next car purchase. We are looking to get a 7-seater MPV and have a budget of £10k. Most of the cars at the top end of our budget are around 7 years old with 60-70k on the clock. But then the same model at 10 years old with 90-100k is substantially cheaper (around £6-7k).

What's on my mind is that a 7 year old vehicle is inevitably going to need repairs sooner or later and we'd have spent all of our car money. Is there some economy in buying an older/higher mileage car, taking it to a garage and saying please do any small niggling jobs you see before they become big problems, and then have a pot of savings for further repairs?

I guess I'm just trying to figure out whether that 30k difference in mileage and 3-5 years in age is "worth" the extra £3-4k. 🤔

I think I'd get the newer car. Car repairs can be unpredictable and expensive

Well, I’m no expert but I always go for the lowest age and lowest mileage I can afford

12k miles per year is average for a used car. It is worth considering the slightly older car is likely to have had any major service and repair intervals (timing/waterpumps etc) already done rather than upcoming. Look for a service and repair history, and good all round condition. A slightly newer car will still have bills for wear and tear items too.

I drive a 20 year old BMW by choice, currently with 150k on the clock and never owned a car that's been less than 10 years old 😅

Always the newer car. We're saving to replace both our older cars as they're starting to need repairs just through age, despite low kms & being garaged.

These repairs are expensive, but, mostly for me, age makes the car less reliable. Thats the deal breaker.

Once bought a showroom new car but since then a few ex mobility cars with low mileage and never had any issues with repairs as they haven't needed any! Old bangers cost unless you can do stuff yourself. Last car we bought- a 21 plate was £33k new got it for 19K with 8k in mileage and an immaculate interior- also balance of full service plan the previous owner took out and paid for. Depends on the make and model too. The showroom new was a Fiat and crap- the last 2 have been Honda. The Fiat and a Peugeot we had both blew their head gasket after 5 years. We only lost our 15 plate Honda as DH wrote it off.
Get the newest lowest mileage you can. - edited because I cannot spell.

Only time I would pick age is if its older plus lower mileage.

Why would you not pick say 8-9 years old with 30-50k miles? Is that not much saving?

I bought a 2014 car in 2022, with 15k miles on the clock, not comparable as totally different model, but has only needed a new battery so far.

You are right, the car you are looking at is not new enough to have the benefits of it being brand new so in reality you are choosing between two older cars, but paying a premium for a slightly less old car. But still at the risk of lots needing to be changed.

Look for good service history, I'd rather a higher mileage regularly serviced and maintained car over a lower mileage one.

Ps there's a car section on mumsnet? I learn something new every day 😂

Newer car with full service history from the brand dealership, for peace of mind

Yes, this is kind of what was going through my mind, but you've articulated it better! Thankyou.

There's a section for pretty much everything on Mumsnet, as far as I can tell! 😅