Is very low mileage an issue?

[karen a r]

Hi there - we’re looking at a T6 vw ocean 204 this week. It’s 2019 but only has 15000 on the clock. Is this an issue? I know diesels like to be driven. We’ve had two calis before so know about the camping side of things but we’re less confident about the van side of things. Any advice? Thank you

 

[WelshGas]

Hi there - we’re looking at a T6 vw ocean 204 this week. It’s 2019 but only has 15000 on the clock. Is this an issue? I know diesels like to be driven. We’ve had two calis before so know about the camping side of things but we’re less confident about the van side of things. Any advice? Thank you

Some service items are Time/Or milage related so as long as they have been done you should be OK, but certain items may need to be changed such as tyres which have a suggested 6 yr life span from manufacture, they may have plenty of tread but the rubber deteriorates and they could be miss shaped from being parked for long periods. Brake discs can corrode and eat through the brake pads when used.
You could get an Independent vehicle check from the AA or similar.

 

[temporarysecretary]

EDIT: WelshGas beat me to it.

Like with all vehicles, you get good ones and bad ones. So it depends.

High mileage means you look for wear, low mileage you have to look for perishing. All the important components on a vehicle rely on their fluids not only to operate but to lubricate.

Important items to check on low mileage vehicles will be.

Tyres, A/C, cooling system, gear changes and general engine performance. A good test drive is critical and for vehicles of this value an independent AA check will go a long way to reassure you.

I would also check MOT history and see how that mileage is distributed. You dont want it to be 12k miles in the first year and only a few hundred each year since.

Service history should also be thorough, 'technically' the oil interval is 20k miles but a well looked after vehicle would be doing it on time interval if not used alot, I think VW say 2 years. 1 year is better. It would also be nice to see a brake fluid change and an A/C re-gas.

If its a trade sale then you will have a warranty and will be less to worry about.

 

[karen a r]

Thanks so much for the excellent advice. It’s only done 500 miles in the last two years so I’ll keep on looking.

 

[KevT6]

Personally if you do all the checks suggested I wouldn’t be to worried. We have a 2019 which we picked up privately two and a half years ago with 5300 miles on the clock and now has 36500.

 

[Californication69]

Thanks so much for the excellent advice. It’s only done 500 miles in the last two years so I’ll keep on looking.

If it hasn’t been abused, could be a great bargain. Most Moho, are only used for 4K miles a year and they sell well and as long as the oil is changed yearly, I can’t see any issues.
My 93 Saab convertible is 17 years old and the metal work is great.
Obviously with age comes deterioration of rubber components.
(So far I’ve changed, bushes for poly bushes, suspension, shocks and springs, air con compressor and condenser,) so as you can see on a 83k mile Saab not many things.
I think too much thought is given to how little a car is used.
If it’s old and not used much, then you will need to replace some items.
But if those 2500 miles each year were driven on long distances then it should be fine.
But, if like the wife’s defender, it’s driven 14 miles a day for 3 months, then a good 500 mile blast then this should keep the dpf clear.
It’s never a given, but I’m pretty sure the 2019 204 is a decent engine.
Check the service schedule. If it’s one owner, could be a great motor for another 10 years !
Check the tyres, if all 4 the same or not changed then good.
AA inspection is a great idea too.
If the seller is confident.
Garage or private ?
If the colour and spec is exactly what you want, you might not find another for a few months.

 

[markjameshall]

I recommend you research general info and this van's history on AdBlue, which can be a serious issue if it crystallises over time. Consider topping it up with fresh AdBlue and maybe using an additive.

 

[sgtcode]

I had an issue with the Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) warning light on my T6. This can be an issue if the van is only doing short trips. Always a good idea to give it a good run at least once a month, think it needs at least a 45 minute drive for exhaust regenerator to kick it (so just give it a decent trip out to force regeneration).

 

[gands]

Cambelt is something to check as well. It could be due a change.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Our 2008 has just passed 70k miles so just under 4000 miles a year. That’s all holidays so mainly long motorway drives. I think that’s fine.

I don’t think - someone here may correct me - low mileage overall is a problem. It’s lots of short distances that are seen as bad. Clogs DPF if nothing else!

Ours sits unused for months at a time. I don’t think that’s a problem as such.

I change all tyres every 8 years.

 

[Velma's Dad]

Thanks so much for the excellent advice. It’s only done 500 miles in the last two years so I’ll keep on looking.

Provided it's been driven occasionally rather than left to stand completely still for two years (which may even then not create big problems) then the actual mileage done is pretty immaterial. Someone will probably snap it up.

 

[BeeBee]

We have a 2019 Ocean, only done 16500. Full service history and Cam belt and water pump at 4 years, not needed till 10yeRs now. New tyres ‘all weather’ 2years ago and new rear springs ( good old UK potholes to thank for that) and disc brakes in April this year. We’re hoping to sell soon and I’m hoping potential buyers appreciate the care our van has had. So check it all out and if like ours it’ll have had absolutely no issues, enjoy

 

[Californication69]

We have a 2019 Ocean, only done 16500. Full service history and Cam belt and water pump at 4 years, not needed till 10yeRs now. New tyres ‘all weather’ 2years ago and new rear springs ( good old UK potholes to thank for that) and disc brakes in April this year. We’re hoping to sell soon and I’m hoping potential buyers appreciate the care our van has had. So check it all out and if like ours it’ll have had absolutely no issues, enjoy

Springs are chocolate springs, very much like Saab 93 convertible springs.
Worth getting updated ones so they last longer.

 

[Wolfie]

I wouldn’t worry too much about low mileage. What is more important is how it has been used and maintained. We bought ours new (T6 2017) and after just over nine years it’s done 20,000 miles. It came with four services, which due to the low mileage, was done every two years; so oil change approximately every 4000 miles. Everything done on schedule at the service, cambelt, water pump, fuel filter, brake fluid etc. We use it for holidays every six weeks or so. It is not a daily driver. Each journey is, on average, 120 miles, so no short trips really. Leisure batteries topped up in between when they drop to about 70%. No bodywork damage and not thrashed within an inch of it’s life.

When away, we rarely use the van as we take two bikes, a dog for walking and we are a great fans of public transport. When something goes wrong, it always gets fixed, usually with the help of experts on this forum. Things that have needed repairing:

• driver’s side daylight running light melting
• failed rear ABS sensor
• infotainment touch screen not responding

I don’t know if it’s possible to contact the previous owner(s), but they could provide an invaluable insight into the van’s history.

 

[Blanco]

If it is a private sale, the advice I would add is to look to see whether the owner has another vehicle for their daily drive - local shopping trips on a regular basis and the occasional holiday IMO aren't good combinations even if it has been serviced correctly.

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

Some service items are Time/Or milage related so as long as they have been done you should be OK, but certain items may need to be changed such as tyres which have a suggested 6 yr life span from manufacture, they may have plenty of tread but the rubber deteriorates and they could be miss shaped from being parked for long periods. Brake discs can corrode and eat through the brake pads when used.
You could get an Independent vehicle check from the AA or similar.

Don’t forget the DSG gearbox service. Seems expensive but it’s essential.