Low mileage issues?

Hello everyone I’m new here. Searching this forum has already proved to be invaluable so thank you! Finally I have something specific to ask. So I’m going to see an A2 1.4 petrol tomorrow that’s only done 62k miles. Someone mentioned to me to look out for clutch and gearbox issues due to possible overuse in towns. What do I look for/ feel for when driving? Any other pointers for problems with low mileage cars? I know it will need the cambelt and water pump done but anything else? Thanks in advance
 
Good idea to have the car scanned for recorded faults stored in the computer. Best one to use is called VCDS. Perhaps you are near other members that have this but your location is far too vague. Do an HPI check also check cars MOT history from the government web site.
 
I always use this site for checking on previous MOT‘s
good luck with your new car.
Drew.
Why? Genuine question. I use UK Gov MoT history...
 
Hello everyone I’m new here. Searching this forum has already proved to be invaluable so thank you! Finally I have something specific to ask. So I’m going to see an A2 1.4 petrol tomorrow that’s only done 62k miles. Someone mentioned to me to look out for clutch and gearbox issues due to possible overuse in towns. What do I look for/ feel for when driving? Any other pointers for problems with low mileage cars? I know it will need the cambelt and water pump done but anything else? Thanks in advance
doesn't necessarily need either cambelt or water pump renewed, depending on when the maintenance was last completed.
62k miles isn't overly low mileage; it's 3-4k per year, 60 miles a week, one tank a month. Nothing wrong with that. It'll probably have old tyres, but I'd check the old MoTs for mileage corroboration. Service history would be good to check, too, if there's anything available.

- Bret
 
doesn't necessarily need either cambelt or water pump renewed, depending on when the maintenance was last completed.
62k miles isn't overly low mileage; it's 3-4k per year, 60 miles a week, one tank a month. Nothing wrong with that. It'll probably have old tyres, but I'd check the old MoTs for mileage corroboration. Service history would be good to check, too, if there's anything available.

- Bret
Thanks. Yes I’ve done all the online checks for mot and mileage and all corroborates. The last three mots mention an oil leak that’s not excessive whatever that means but it’s obviously not been getting worse. There’s some history apparently so I’ll look. I thought the cambelt would be a given after what I’d read on here Not necessarily because if mileage but because of age. Is there a way I could tell if it needs it? When I google it the symptoms are pretty obvious and dramatic but I don’t want to let it get like that.
 
Good idea to have the car scanned for recorded faults stored in the computer. Best one to use is called VCDS. Perhaps you are near other members that have this but your location is far too vague. Do an HPI check also check cars MOT history from the government web site.
 
Well if you ask and state where you are there may be someone local or near by that could help you with a scan.
 
Thanks. Yes I’ve done all the online checks for mot and mileage and all corroborates. The last three mots mention an oil leak that’s not excessive whatever that means but it’s obviously not been getting worse. There’s some history apparently so I’ll look. I thought the cambelt would be a given after what I’d read on here Not necessarily because if mileage but because of age. Is there a way I could tell if it needs it? When I google it the symptoms are pretty obvious and dramatic but I don’t want to let it get like that.

It is a mileage / age thing. Mine is due again, it hasn't been done since 2009, but then the car has done maybe 2000km in the last 3 years, so I'm not too worried and I have all the parts here. I would be looking to buy on condition and maintenance - the low mileage is enticing but if the oil changes haven't been done... that's actually probably not too big of a deal, depending on just how badly they were screwed up. The car we just bought is also super-low mileage and I was really suspicious - turns out it had just stood completely still for a year and the service records are immaculate, so go ahead and take a look but be prepared to walk away.

You want to share a link to get opinions?

- Bret
 
It is a mileage / age thing. Mine is due again, it hasn't been done since 2009, but then the car has done maybe 2000km in the last 3 years, so I'm not too worried and I have all the parts here. I would be looking to buy on condition and maintenance - the low mileage is enticing but if the oil changes haven't been done... that's actually probably not too big of a deal, depending on just how badly they were screwed up. The car we just bought is also super-low mileage and I was really suspicious - turns out it had just stood completely still for a year and the service records are immaculate, so go ahead and take a look but be prepared to walk away.

You want to share a link to get opinions?

- Bret
It’s on Facebook and I’m not sure how to get a link but there’s really not a lot of information on there regardless apart from the mileage and price. All the information I have is from me asking in private messages. Owners history etc. I asked about the cambelt and he said he couldn’t be sure as he hadn’t seen any paperwork that confirmed it. That’s why I thought I’d need to get it done as if probably hasn’t been done before . He seems to know about cars but not really an A2 person. I’m going anyway but I agree I’ll be prepared To walk. I have one I really like with great spec but more cost and more miles although 87k isn’t bad.
 
As long as you are going into the deal with your eyes open, expecting a few issues and are happy both with the history that is documented and are aware of expected costs, then it comes down to how it drives and if it "feels right" for you. Many factory options can now be retrofitted with a few requiring major work e.g. the OSS roof system others "relatively" easy. You just know when the car is for you. Most people find that it will take you 2-3 years to get the car how you want it with the issues sorted out.
 
1. When driving, drop it into 5th at say 20mph and try to accelerate hard, it will be slow to accelerate but you want revs and speed to rise evenly, any mismatch may suggest clutch slip

2. Check the height of the clutch pedal vs other pedals, if it’s excessively low/high could lead to a potential issues. Same goes for the biting point.

3. When changing gears change from say 5th to 2nd or 1st to 3rd. Any hesitation or issues could point to synchromesh issues.

Other

4. If the car has only ever been driven around town it may have flat spots midway when revving to the red line or hesitation whereas a car that had mixed driving wouldn’t necessarily have that. Not a concern as more frequent use of revs usually sorts.

5. Check on skimped maintenance record, mine had a couple of missed services however had only done 500 miles per annum in those years. I can half understand an owner not wanting to fully service a car every 500 miles as that makes for expensive motoring. The caveat however is it’s current condition and taking a view/factor into price.

At 62k miles I wouldn’t really expect any of these issues but A2‘a are not exactly spring chickens so it’s all about condition and taking a view.
 
1. When driving, drop it into 5th at say 20mph and try to accelerate hard, it will be slow to accelerate but you want revs and speed to rise evenly, any mismatch may suggest clutch slip
1. When driving, drop it into 5th at say 20mph and try to accelerate hard, it will be slow to accelerate but you want revs and speed to rise evenly, any mismatch may suggest clutch slip

2. Check the height of the clutch pedal vs other pedals, if it’s excessively low/high could lead to a potential issues. Same goes for the biting point.

3. When changing gears change from say 5th to 2nd or 1st to 3rd. Any hesitation or issues could point to synchromesh issues.

Other

4. If the car has only ever been driven around town it may have flat spots midway when revving to the red line or hesitation whereas a car that had mixed driving wouldn’t necessarily have that. Not a concern as more frequent use of revs usually sorts.

5. Check on skimped maintenance record, mine had a couple of missed services however had only done 500 miles per annum in those years. I can half understand an owner not wanting to fully service a car every 500 miles as that makes for expensive motoring. The caveat however is it’s current condition and taking a view/factor into price.

At 62k miles I wouldn’t really expect any of these issues but A2‘a are not exactly spring chickens so it’s all about condition and taking a view.

2. Check the height of the clutch pedal vs other pedals, if it’s excessively low/high could lead to a potential issues. Same goes for the biting point.

3. When changing gears change from say 5th to 2nd or 1st to 3rd. Any hesitation or issues could point to synchromesh issues.

Other

4. If the car has only ever been driven around town it may have flat spots midway when revving to the red line or hesitation whereas a car that had mixed driving wouldn’t necessarily have that. Not a concern as more frequent use of revs usually sorts.

5. Check on skimped maintenance record, mine had a couple of missed services however had only done 500 miles per annum in those years. I can half understand an owner not wanting to fully service a car every 500 miles as that makes for expensive motoring. The caveat however is it’s current condition and taking a view/factor into price.

At 62k miles I wouldn’t really expect any of these issues but A2‘a are not exactly spring chickens so it’s all about condition and taking a view.
 
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