Thinking About Buying An Avensis 2.0D T2 With 120,000 Miles On The Clo

[avensis buyer]

Looking to buy a Toyota Avensis 2.0D 4D T2 (2007). It has 120,000 on the clock and a service history only until 79000 miles. The dealer wants £3000 for it. It has only one key. Any advice about things to look out for or ways to get the price down would be appreciated. I have tried to work out how much it would cost to get the service history up to date but struggling to find the info. (The other option is a 1.8 petrol Avensis 08 with 68000 miles on the clock full service history at £5000) Have bought cars from friends in the past so this is my first time going to a dealer. I will be using it to travel to work about 15 miles away but also for trips to Devon and London every couple of months.

If anyone thinks this is a really bad idea please let me know.

Thanks for your time

Helen

[Heidfirst]

what is your estimated annual mileage in total?

Do you know if the diesel has had a replacement engine? It falls into the production time frame for a potentially very expensive (£6k) problem that can affect a small % of them - the trouble is that you can't predict which until they start showing signs of having already developed it ... Toyota instituted a goodwill extended warranty for the issue but that car would not be covered due to both lack of service history & mileage.

It also ought to probably have 3 keys (1 a valet key).

[alan333]

The high miler diesel might give you problems, and it'll be virtually worthless by the time you come to sell it with, say, 140 or 150k on the clock. Personally I'd steer clear of it.

The petrol seems a bit expensive to me but maybe it's a high spec? 3 years ago I bought a low miler (30k miles) 55 plate for £3k, which would roughly equate to a 58 plate today.

Have a browse around Auto Trader and see what other ones are selling for. Look for private sales too, often you can haggle more with them. Also have a look at Parkers, it'll give you an idea of what a particular car is worth.

[Konrad C]

I live in Greater London and with the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) looming in 2020, diesel values will fall for the vehicles which will have to pay for entering the zone.

This zone for those are not aware, is the same area covered by Londons congestion charge and will operate 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Diesel cars need to be 10 years or younger whilst petrol cars have it a little easier - 16 years.

https://www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/low-emission-zone/ultra-low-emission-zone

The ULEZ is another factor when deciding what car will buy. If you don't travel in this zone or make rare trips, it won't make much difference. Some of the boroughs have ideas of having the zone extended, but that is speculation.

I hope the car chosen is the right choice.

[avensisd4d786]

personally I would stay clear of the 2007-2009 diesel unless there is proof it has had a replacement engine.

2003-2006 2.0 diesel is a good workhorse.

but with high mileages diesel expect to spend money on them.

the petrols had oil burning problems this was supposed to have been fixed after summer 2005.

£5,000 seems a bit excessive try and get it lower.

how many miles do you do a year?

[avensis buyer]

Hi just wanted to say thanks for the replies. Buying a friends bmw instead as avensis was too big a risk.

[ToyotaAuris]

Good thing you did that. That Avensis would of been full of problems.

[Heidfirst]

just be aware that certain BMW diesels also have a poor reputation (swirl flaps, timing chains etc.).

At least you know the history of this BMW.