Update: Car Question (Yet Again - Sorry!)

[Treacle71]

I still haven't purchased a car yet as I'm taking my time.  I still like the Toyota Aygo's and found another I like, but it's 2019.  Is that too old?  What should the year ideally be? (scratches head)

[Hymie]

No, it’s not too old – I would say that the ideal age to buy a used car is 3-4 years old.

 

By that time it should have lost more than half its value – looking on Auto-Trader, you can buy a 2019 Aygo for around £5k, whereas new it probably cost £15k.

 

So someone has lost £10k in 3 years (due to depreciation, more than £3k/year), if you were then to keep the car for 10 years you would only have an average depreciation of £500 a year.

The difference between £3K per year and £500 per year will cover the cost of a lot of repairs each year.

[Paul22118]

Treakle, you are, in my opinion, obsessing with the age of your future purchase. I drive a seventeen year old Mercedes diesel which is immaculate.  BUT has now completed 125000 miles.  It has been looked after and regularly serviced. I swear it drives like a two year old. So my advice would be buy with your eyes and brain. Is it a sound vehicle.  Check the service record. Is the mileage high and if so try and establish why.  My car was previously owned by a factory owner who had two factories.  One in Sussex and the other in Manchester.  He drove between the two regularly, 90% of which was motorway cruising. Look, ask, probe, listen and try and make the best decision for you.  Good luck.

[Redhelen72]

My most reliable vehicle ever was 14 years old when I bought her for £500 off ebay - had to spend a further £300 on new tyres but over the years general wear and tear only.

Loved that wee jeep only got rid as it was sensible to put 2 hulking labs in a soft top.

[barry1010]

My 14 year old Hyundai never gives me any trouble, always sails through its MOT.

A brand new car could be a lemon - faulty from day one. Age is no real indicator of a car's reliability but I would advise paying for an independent inspection before buying. 

[miser]

Insist on a new MOT and any advisories to be fixed