1.4/1.5 Tsi 150 ST - 2020 @72k (black edition) vs 2017 @ 44k

[mowglii]

As per the title, I'm looking at getting a 150bhp ST and am weighing up a few options. My concerns are the reliability and depreciation.
Firstly, 2020 black edition on 72k miles. How reliable are these cars and engines? 72k for a 3/4 year old car sounds like a lot, but can these cars happily sail toward 200k?
On the other hand, in 4 years times a 2020 model sounds a lot more appealing than a 2017 model (I think the infotainment and a few other bits were updated after 2017 too?)

Now, a 66reg at 44k is low miles per year, but the age of the car itself is now a bigger factor.

Final question; I've seen quite a lot of "light mist on rear shock absorber" on some Mot histories, how concerning is this?

 

[Glosphil]

"Final question; I've seen quite a lot of "light mist on rear shock absorber" on some Mot histories, how concerning is this?"

My wife's last car had this comment on its MOTs for the last 6 of the 11 years we owned it. Never failed an MOT & caused no problem.

My 2018 Leon had the same comment on its 2nd MOT but not on the following 2!

 

[cgreggers]

the 2020 one could likely be a company car which are generally really well maintained – mine is on 87k (bought it last year at 80k) and was definitely one as it's well specced + had one owner for the first 3 years of it's life. It also had some decent goodyear f1's on that was a tell tale sign it was looked after. Main thing is to take a look at the service history as that will indicate if it's got lots of life left.

 

[Mr Pig]

I wouldn't buy a high mileage car unless it was cheap and you're not anticipating putting a lot of miles on it yourself. As a general rule I think you can assume cars are designed to last ten years or 100k miles. Yes, they can last well beyond that but it typically costs you more to do so. Which you have to weigh against the value of the car.

There are no worthwhile upgrades on the facelift Leon except the headlights, the high beam is better. Nothing else is better, it's a cost cutting exercise. The infotainment system is exactly the same except for a slightly larger screen and poorer ergonomics. The 1.5 engine is not as good as the 1.4. Personally, I'd rather have the older car, which I assume is cheaper, but it depends on condition. You can be starting to run into corrosion issues as cars age so condition is important.

 

[SuperV8]

I wouldn't buy a high mileage car unless it was cheap and you're not anticipating putting a lot of miles on it yourself. As a general rule I think you can assume cars are designed to last ten years or 100k miles. Yes, they can last well beyond that but it typically costs you more to do so. Which you have to weigh against the value of the car.

On the other hand - low mileage cars which have sat around a lot outside - or only just done short local trips are also ones to avoid!

 

[SuperV8]

"Final question; I've seen quite a lot of "light mist on rear shock absorber" on some Mot histories, how concerning is this?"

My wife's last car had this comment on its MOTs for the last 6 of the 11 years we owned it. Never failed an MOT & caused no problem.

My 2018 Leon had the same comment on its 2nd MOT but not on the following 2!

Shock absorbers contain a finite amount of oil.
Any misting is this oil escaping!
Eventually there won't be enough oil for the shock to function properly - but the misting will stop!
My Leon had a misting comment on a few MOT's - got round to changing the rear shocks at 100k miles and they were both completely shot!
You couldn't tell by the usual bouncing the car that the rear shocks were knackered - and if my other half drove the car she couldn't tell - but I could tell, gave weird handling sensation.
Rear shocks aren't too expensive - so if you have misting just budget for new shocks in a year or two.

 

[Walone]

On the other hand - low mileage cars which have sat around a lot outside - or only just done short local trips are also ones to avoid!

My car, 1.4ACT is just coming up to 9 years old, owned from new, it's done 33000 odd miles, serviced roughly every 14 months, keep it in garage, most of the miles have been longish trips, I only use it once or twice a week!

 

[SuperV8]

My car, 1.4ACT is just coming up to 9 years old, owned from new, it's done 33000 odd miles, serviced roughly every 14 months, keep it in garage, most of the miles have been longish trips, I only use it once or twice a week!

Nice, so yours hasn't sat outside - or done lots of short trips

 

[mowglii]

I wouldn't buy a high mileage car unless it was cheap and you're not anticipating putting a lot of miles on it yourself. As a general rule I think you can assume cars are designed to last ten years or 100k miles. Yes, they can last well beyond that but it typically costs you more to do so. Which you have to weigh against the value of the car.

There are no worthwhile upgrades on the facelift Leon except the headlights, the high beam is better. Nothing else is better, it's a cost cutting exercise. The infotainment system is exactly the same except for a slightly larger screen and poorer ergonomics. The 1.5 engine is not as good as the 1.4. Personally, I'd rather have the older car, which I assume is cheaper, but it depends on condition. You can be starting to run into corrosion issues as cars age so condition is important.

Fair enough, good points. It's £1k cheaper, but from a private seller. Not sure how useful beneficial buying from a proper dealer is these days. Private seller has a good advert for the 66reg and has full service history

 

[mowglii]

Shock absorbers contain a finite amount of oil.
Any misting is this oil escaping!
Eventually there won't be enough oil for the shock to function properly - but the misting will stop!
My Leon had a misting comment on a few MOT's - got round to changing the rear shocks at 100k miles and they were both completely shot!
You couldn't tell by the usual bouncing the car that the rear shocks were knackered - and if my other half drove the car she couldn't tell - but I could tell, gave weird handling sensation.
Rear shocks aren't too expensive - so if you have misting just budget for new shocks in a year or two.

Yeah I'd agree with that, glad to hear they aren't too expensive.

 

[mowglii]

Okay, candidate in the middle...
68reg, 39k miles. Sounds pretty good.
MOT History however doesn't suggest its been well looked after. 2 owners. Need to enquire about service history and a new mot

 

[Mr Pig]

MOT History however doesn't suggest its been well looked after.

It can be deceptive. I hate having fails or even advisories on my MOT history but my car has two fails. A few years ago I ordered two new front tyres, they were not fails but were low, maybe 2mm. Once the tyres were in I booked the car in and told the garage to fit the two tyres and MOT the car. When I got the car back they'd MOTed it with the worn tyres, failed it on the tyres then fitted the new tyres!

I was furious. When I asked why they didn't fit the new tyres before they MOTed it I got a bullshit answer but the damage was done. Needless to say, I've not used that garage again. I also got a fail on a broken spring. Typically what happens is that part of the last turn of the spring breaks, maybe just a couple of inches. If you're unlucky the bit falls out and there is no evidence of the failure. The car drives fine and unless you actually check the springs you will not know about the break until the car is MOTed. In fact years ago I had a Vauxhall Cavalier which broke the end of a spring and that car was MOTed like that twice and the tester didn't spot it.

Or you could get a tester who is just a ****! My daughter just got a rake of bullshit advisories on her Toledo including corrosion on the sub-frame and front lower arms. I got under the car to check them and there is zero issue with them. Yes, there is rust on them but no penetrating or flaking rust at all, just typical surface rust of the kind you get on any car more than a few years old. Anyone reading the MOT history now will not buy the car when there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Not happy but what can you do?

Sure, read the MOT history, I always do, but there is no substitute for checking the car yourself.