10 year Old Car Low Miles

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Sonic70

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What are opinions on buying a 10 year old fiesta that's only done 13k miles. Could there be problems from lack of driving. Not been serviced since 2018. Its 1.0l EcoBoost.
 
My elderly mum's got a 64 plate, 23k miles, all round town, goes well. I'd give it a few frequent oil changes.
 
Sonic70 said:
What are opinions on buying a 10 year old fiesta that's only done 13k miles. Could there be problems from lack of driving. Not been serviced since 2018. Its 1.0l EcoBoost.
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All that info on its own means nothing, good or bad.

You need to compare it with other examples to judge for condition and issues.

Low mileage can be be little and gentle use, or very hard use depending on the driver and reasons
 
i assume the MOT checks verify the mileage

wear on pedals, Tyres

No service for 4+ years , Diesel , Petrol .........

I got my son a very low mileage old corsa , and it was nothing but trouble , ECU issue - repaired under RAC 3 month warranty - head gasket went after 2years......
 
Its petrol, looks like mileage is genuine from appearance.
 
simple enough to do a MOT check and see the reported mileage and any issue reported - online with REG Number

any of the service history and paperwork
loads of other questions to ask, as already mentioned
 
A 1.0l EcoBoost is due a new wet cam belt at 10 years old, these are much more complex to fit than a normal cambelt and require specialist tools. Ford dealers are charging about £1,500 to change this belt, independent mechanics generally don't have the specialist tools to do the job.

If the belt isn't changed it can either fail which requires a replacement engine or it starts to disintegrate and clog the oil strainer which starves the engine of oil and requires a replacement engine.

Edit to add: I've just noticed that it hasn't been serviced since 2018. Lack of service (using only the correct oil) is a big factor in failure of the wet belt. I wouldn't be buying it.
 
My mum had a similar low mileage Fiesta that she sold to a bloke I know in early 2020. I still look after it. Some years I did more than half of the total yearly mileage just taking it to work for a service and MOT! My mates wife hardly uses it either - immaculate condition Titanium auto. Mind you, it had the 4 cyl 1.4 engine and not the eco boost POS. I put a timing belt on it last year. https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=Ef12yvh
 
Too high

In some areas, cars owned by elderly people crop up from time to time. Traders try to buy them cheap and sell dear. You should expect to catch up on thorough service and inspection.

The best ones have been regularly serviced and kept under cover, as they can still go rusty. Looking at the MoT history you will find the tyres get replaced after 5 years or so as the rubber perishes from sunlight, though not worn out. The same applies to wiper blades and balljoint boots. The handbrake may be seized and the battery porked if left standing
 
I'm steering well clear of the EcoBoost engine now from what I've read about the wet cam belt.
 
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