I can see the arguments on both sides but I think I would be suspicious if there were quite a lot of owners. It would certainly cause me to delve deeper.

A troublesome car tends to change ownership often while a good car will be kept longer. I aim for few long term owners.

I'm wondering what 'troublesome' might cover - I would hope that one of the several owners might take the trouble to cure any serious problems. If a series of owners have moved it on every year or so, maybe there is an irritating problem which is costly to fix ?

I have owned my workhorse for 13 fault-free years, but as it has been 'written off' once I doubt many would buy it even so.

Perhaps we tend to judge the motives of others by our own behaviours. Over the last few decades I have tended to buy up to one year old to get the benefit of a fairly full warranty and keep for many years. Looking back my reasons for sale were:

• Octavia - 10 years old, 140k, almost zero costs other than routine maintenance, and still on original brake discs, clutch, shocks, battery,
• Mondeo - 7 years old, 150k. Air con compressor going, major service needed, new tyres needed, original battery, clutch, exhaust etc.
• Vectra - 4 years old, 60k. Auto gearbox starting to misbehave.

What do these all have in common - I like cheap to run reliability, reasonable comfort and performance, don't abuse my cars, not too bothered about latest tech or status, and aim to get rid before costs start to ratchet up.

In the 21 years of ownership above, apart from servicing, tyres, the occasional brake disc or battery I have spent less than £500 on repairs - £25 pa, time off road less than 1 day pa, depreciation averaging ~£1200 pa.

Several owners, each one enthusiastic about their new car, maintenance done and minor issues sorted out. More likely to get major issues sorted as the car still has a value to them.

I certainly fall into the second category, always buy used, sort out all the niggles, squeeks, rattles. Do all maintenance due, keep it clean etc. After a few years buy another and repeat.

High performance cars can fall into this category. Bought by enthusiasts who like to get everything just so, but like to try something different after a couple of years.

The middle of the road prestige stuff is more of a minefield. They can be bought by dreamers who like the image but can't afford the running costs. Likely to have a few moody repairs that will only be spotted after buying.