Should we worry about high mileage for a first car?

My 22-year-old daughter is buying her first car with a budget of €3,000. Is this a sufficient budget? We are looking at the usual websites but most cars have high mileage. Should we be overly concerned with high mileage?

Nuala Ryan (Dublin)

Oct 2012 Filed under: learner

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Expert answer

Hi Nuala,

Mileage alone is no major worry so long as you choose a reliable car in good condition - and preferably with a decent service history. The reality is that your daughter will change her car within a few years anyway. Hence we'd recommend focusing on safety, reliability and efficiency.

Come back to us if you/your daughter have a few specific cars in mind and we'll help you narrow your search if you wish.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Adviser
@Shane_O_D