Rav '04 (53 Plate)2.0 Xt3

[LittleMsStar]

Hi,

I've seen this 04 RAV on the 'Autotrader' website for £5450. I like the look of the car but it's mileage at 93k seems a little on the high side. I don't know that much about cars - so I'd appreciate any advice!

[Fujisan]

I've ripped this from Parker price guide, I've assumed it's a 3 door petrol XT3 that your looking at:

1. 2.0 XT3 3d

2. 2004/53

3. Average mileage: 40,000 miles

Original Price £16,990

Franchised Dealer £8,165

Independent Dealer £7,710

Private Good £7,255

Private Poor £6,165

Part Exchange £6,500

I think the 4.2 3 door is one of the best looking RAV ever!

But.......to be honest 93k miles would worry me a little. 23K a year!

I sure the major mechanical bits are strong enough for that kind of mileage, it's the smaller items, suspension, brakes, even down interior trim how do they look!

If your serious about this car, get somebody who really knows about cars to go over it with a fine tooth comb

[dave.m]

Price is great, but thats down to the mileage. IMHO dont touch it, the mileage is too high and probably been thrashed.

Plenty others to be had. Good luck

[Hoovie]

I *think* that an '53 plated Toyota with 93K miles could still qualify for a Toyota Unlimited Miles Extended Warranty (have to be under 7 years and 100K at start of warranty, I believe).

That could give a good piece of mind and would add about £450 so give a RAV4 with 2 years warranty for £5,900 - just a thought.

[Remoh1]

shouldnt be a problem with the mileage, if its done 23k a year unless it was a taxi which is highly unlikely it will have been driven mainly on motorways. Mine is a 2004 54 plate 2.0 vvti auto it had 63k on the clock when I bought it and 6 weeks later it has 65k on the clock at this rate it will have 81k in a years time and 99k by the time I've owned it two years. I will probably keep it 3 years so it will be heading for 117k by the time it goes. I have had many cars and the only ones I've had trouble with have been the low mileage ones. The XJR I have just got rid of had 106k on it when I got it and 136k on it when I sold it 20 months later. Check the trim, the service record and generally look around the car see if it looks like its been looked after or abused. If it looks abused avoid it if its been well cared for buy it. If it was a company car it will have been well maintained and will probably be good for another 100k. Most people are put off by high mileage which is why you can get a high mileage car real cheap and bag yourself a bargain.

This is purely my opinion based on having owned 8 or 9 high mileage cars and a couple of low mileage cars (plus one brand new one, but it was a proton). Well maintained cars are good for 20 - 30k a year for 5 or 6 years. My wife has owned 3 cars all high mileage, the highest was a 3yr old 1.3 escort thad had 126k on it when she bought it, she had it 5 years and outside of MOT and service we spent £300 on it. £150 on tyres, £80 on an exhaust and £70 on a starter motor that was it for 5 years of motoring. Her current car is a 2000 1.6 rover 25 which she bought 4 years old with 96k on the clock and so far we have had to put one part of an exhaust on it and an alternator again £200 costs for 4 years of motoring.

of course every car is different so dont blindly assume it will be ok, check for service history and any bills for work done, and as I said check to see if the car looks cared for or abused