Buying a "high" milage towcar...

[Rhys2]

Hello

I'm after abit of advice on buying a 2nd hand tow car. I am looking at a 2004 Ford Galaxy Diesel with 90,000 miles on the clock.

My main concern is the fact that it has only ever had 1 owner and has a towbar already fitted so I have to assume that the towbar was fitted from new and has towed a caravan for a significant number of those 90,000 miles.

I am not particularly bothered about the clutch because I can replace that if it does break but obviously the engine is a different matter...

Any advice / opinions would be welcome...

Thanks

Rhys

 

[xtrailman]

rhys

I would have thought worn rear suspension more of a concern than the engine, a service history should give some reassurance that the engine will be ok, remove the oil filer cap and check for any deposits.

Unfortunately the early galaxy had a poor reliability reputation.

Also i would want to check the tow bar fixing bolts for security. Good luck.

 

[Garfield]

We had a 99 Sharan that blew a head gasket at 110,000 mile and I saw the cylinder bores with the head off in the garage and there was NO signs of wear on the bores, the helical marks from when the engine was brand new, were still visible. From a basic mechanical point of view, I would say, no problem but the electronics of newer cars are hopeless.

 

[sbarltrop]

bought a 02 2.0 diesel mondeo with 100,000 miles on clock, full service history, engine runs like new, had to replace clutch (which cost a fortune!) apart from that has been an excellent car

 

[Guest]

The main thing that puts me off high mileage cars, at my elevated years, is that although the engine/clutch/exhaust etc may have been re-newed, basically all the other bits have had a lot of wear and tear, and to my mind are a bit more risky. The other thing is that a b.m has been sat on the drivers seat a heck of a long time and usually, if it is leather, it is well worn and saggy. Not a big deal, but it does make the car look shabbier.

Of course in my time I have had to get these types of cars due to economic necessity, and had good and bad experiences. A lot of home mechanics helped ease the troubles when they arose. Nowadays with electronics I would not know where to start.

 

[AlfromYC]

Make sure its had the proper oil when serviced. If no receipts for this then walk away. The VW PD derv engine must be ran using a certain type of oil (soz cant remember spec of it off hand as I have mk1)

The variable vain turbos will stick if not driven hard every now and again cos they get clogged up.

If its an auto, dont bother. They break and will cost a bomb to replace. I know of 2 peeps that tow using the auto galaxy and not had a problem, but also know at least 5 others that dont tow anything but had to have a new auto box fitted.

Aircon is a know weak point, make sure it works.

If it is a manual g/box and the clutch does need changing, it'll be well over

 

[DomDom]

High mileage is nothing to worry about in my experience. And 90k on a diesel is nothing even approaching high.

However, above average mileage is a fantastic bargaining point in price negotiations. You mention worries about various parts which might go wrong and saggy seats etc. OK, nothing is to say they will go wrong and a seat can be re-upholstered cheaply enough.

Things to check for would be a comprehensive service history; there's nothing quite like lack of oil changes to kill an engine. Also, if you're handy on the spanners there are a lot of jobs which you can do yourself such as chocks, springs, bushes etc - all the bits which might have excess wear due to towing in the past.

Just as an example I used to run a Vauxhall Carlton 3.0 estate - long story but I needed a working hack for a contract I was doing. Cost me

 

[Steve L]

I would rather see a car with a few miles under it's belt and I usually go for a car that has over 80K on the clock. That way you get a good deal purchasing second hand, and the previous owner has forked out for the cam belt change and had all the teathing troubles sorted under a warrantee.

My current 1998 Laguna had a valve seat burn at 180K. On taking the head off the engine showed no sign of wear. So just

 

[xtrailman]

I can't agree with the argument re high mileage or low.

All my life i have only done low mileage, never exceeded 10k a year, always mainly local driving.

In the last 40 years of driving low miles not once have i had a engine problem. apart from my first which had "high" miles

My first car i bought at auction, via an "expert", it was a austin A40 with 90k on the clock, the car never let me down, but the engine was on its last legs, i know modern engines last longer so that does not apply today, but i'm sure if that car had 30k on the clock it would have been a better buy?

Equally today i'm convinced a mileage car is preferred, as mentioned previously the engine auxiliaries that wear out today, clutch, flywheel, fuel pump, turbo, alternator, maybe even wheel bearing, bushes, theirs is very long list.

 

[Tapestry]

Hi

Can't comment about the mechanics etc but if the car is a high mileage car and 1 owner it could possibly have been a company or fleet car, could explain high mileage. The company my OH works for changes their cars every 3 years, all cars are serviced as recomended by manufacturer and anything that needs doing repairs etc gets booked into the garage and done. I bought my OH former company car.

Hope this helps

Annette

 

[forestgump]

its not to high for a diesel if you are worried get a compresion test and a check from the aa or any other car cover company.

 

[Steve L]

While in the Laundry watching the washing go round, I read an article where a chap E-mailed VAG to tell them that he was delighted with his 15 year old Audi A6 that had clocked up over 460'000 miles. He thought they might want to use it as a testimonial.

The reply he got was typically German.

It was:- So what, it's an Audi.

I guess he'd better clock up the remaining 540'000 before he gets a gold star.

Trucks commonly do get to a million miles and survive so a well cared for car should do the same these days. I'll be giving my Renault Laguna 2 Litre petrol it's 200'000 mile birthday service at easter.

Steve L.

 

[seth1]

Regarding high milage vs low milage,

Quite right truck engines do pass the million mile stage,but if you,ve ever had the pleasure of fitting engine kits,you,d see the components pulled out of the engine are not in the condition of new.For example-excessive bore wear(breathing),crankshaft bearings on the copper(backing material),camshaft bearings worn out,valve pretrusion low,worn rocker shafts.Cummins desined their engines to do one million kms in automotive applications.I understand operators run them further.

But from the minute the key is turned the engine is wearing out,how long it takes is a different matter as is the likes of running gear.Another factor to look at is the control units featured in the vehicle,these do fail also with age and liken them to your average pc,all have a shelf life.

The simple fact is an engine thats had no major failures with 1000hrs is going to be better than an engine with 18.000hrs loaded on it.

 

[GrahamDerby]

Hi Rhys

Have you thought of a ex police vehicle. They have high milage but full service history, the prices are not bad either. There are several sites on the web, might be worth a look.

 

[Dustydog]

I have done 80k in my Sorento from new. A few months ago she was smoking like a Cuban cigar particularly under load, towing etc.

The main dealer did a full test on the injection system and gave her a clean bill of health . However the EGR valve was sticking and also the intercooler pipes were leaking air. Once changed no smoke.

I just wondered if the Galaxy could suffer the same??

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Matt_374541096]

bought a 02 2.0 diesel mondeo with 100,000 miles on clock, full service history, engine runs like new, had to replace clutch (which cost a fortune!) apart from that has been an excellent car

Bought an 02 Diesel TDCi 130 BHP Mondeo etsate and had serious problems with INjectors. (renowned) pls am currently deciding whether to keep as I have read that new clutch is expensive and also could have fuel pump problems.

Costing me

 

[Guest]

Rhys..

The Galaxy will make a brilliant tow vehicle and 90k isn't much to worry about on the 1.9 pd lump.

If you do go for a test drive, do make sure you load the engine repetitively, in at least 4th gear from around 1750rpm to just over 2000 rpm, any issues with the turbo veins sticking should become clear, as the vehicle will all over a sudden lack any thrust.

Again as said, make sure the air con is working fine, as this is a known and expensive fix.

Lets be clear here the galaxy is one of the better buys, one only has to see the price they still fetch to know they are a good bet.....