How to choose between age, mileage, condition and history?

I'm going to buy a used car. There are two cars, same make and model, that I'm considering. One is 2013 with 51,000km and the other 2011 with 41,000km. Is it better to go for the car with the lower mileage or the newer car? There's only €250 price difference (2013 is dearer). Both dealers claim the cars are in immaculate condition.

Breda Trimble (Dublin)

Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi Breda,

The golden rule is never buy on year or mileage but on condition and history. As you say, both cars are in immaculate condition but I'll bet that one or the other has a better and more complete service history, and that's the one to go for.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe