What value do you put on a low mileage vehicle

[gensetsteve]

I am looking for a decent single cab hilux to turn into a tipper. I have been offered a very low mileage one but they are looking for a lot more money for the age. Was wondering what your opinion was I tend to look for average miles and good history. I am looking to pay about 4k but dont want alot of the sheds I am being offered as I will be spending 2k on a tipper conversion so it needs to last to recover the investment. Seems a bit excessive to pay through the nose for a vehicle with less than 50,000 miles when they are capable of 400,000 miles.

[ad15]

toy-boater hi- lux and defender pick-ups hold their money VERY well,, there is always a good demand, even for old ones with galactic miles...

 

they run forever as you probably know,,, you either dig deep and pay your pennies or go an alternative route and think laterally...ie below...

[Michael C]

I would pay extra for the low mileage one provided the condition and history match whats on the clock. You will get a lot of work out of it before it reaches 100k.

We bought an 05 Golf Tdi 2 years ago with just under 100k on it. Price was good, but a clutch, manifold and other smaller bits have since been replaced at a cost of over 2k.

Wont be buying high mileage again.

[woodplans]

Steve,

 

Toyota's love racking up the miles mate. My 99 hilux just rolled over 220,000 I bought it six years ago with 60,000 on it. Serviced every 10,000 by myself. 1 clutch, 1 battery, timing belt and tyres is all it has had done. And It has towed an ifor trailer for at least 50,000 of those miles.

Edited May 11, 2010 by woodplans
added

[gensetsteve]

Thanks for all the help so far

 

There is one on ebay with 400,000 miles and still going strong. i dont think its worth paying a large premium for low miles as we are going to throw logs at it and scratch it up drives 10 times a day. I had a peugeot 205 van with 40 k on the clock and it was rubbish. We had one with 170k and it was fine

Sometimes I think it is just luck of the draw. Probably worth paying 20% more for 30k rather than 160k .

[garth mc garth]

4k is in the realm of a mk4 hilux, 1998-2001.

if your gonna spend 2k on a tipper body spend 200 quid and uprate the rear springs or you will snap the standard springs within a few months.

i have worked on more hiluxs than i can remember either in this country or when i was working in a fitter in a 4x4 expedition vehicle workshop in australia. look after them well with routine maitenance and they easily rack up big miles. i have seen over 400k on them.

[armchairarborist]

mileage is less important than overall condition, get underneath and spend some time looking round, check everything works, usual stuff like making sure oil filter isnt rusty etc, low mileage means nothing if its been used in seawater for a couple of years with speedo disconnected..