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Should I buy a lower mileage SE60 for £4000 more?

I have a Volvo SE60 2.4 D5 SE Auto on 84,000 miles from new. It is a 2004 so I guess this is about average. I am looking at an identical 2005 car with only 40,000 on the clock. It is one owner, like mine. The garage is reputable but has only offered £2795 for my car against £7000 for the 55 reg. Both cars are otherwise in good condition. I am tempted with this low mileage but thought I should check the vehicle history. Is there a site you could recommend? Also, are the prices about right based on the limited info I have provided?

Asked on 16 March 2013 by JG, via email

Answered by Honest John
That is not a deal I would even consider. He's asking you to pay £4005 for 44,000 miles less, which may or may not be true, and isn't necessarily a good thing because it's still an old car. Better to buy newer for the same money, even if it has more than 40,000 miles. You can make some history checks on www.hpicheck.com but mileage checks are only from MoTs and these can be faked by clocking the car in between MoTs.
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