BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - asdf asdf

Hey folks,

What do you think about buying a 2017 BMW 1 series with 6000 on the clock?

https://www.bigmotoringworld.co.uk/used/cars/bmw/1-series/118i-se-58426

I know the conventional wisdom is to avoid a car with suspiciously low milage. But does that still apply to a car that's only ~ 3 years old?

Anything I should keep in mind when viewing the car?

Cheers

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - Theophilus

I would expect a well-specced 3 yr old car with a genuine 5615 miles would be sold through an authorized BMW dealership rather than via a site like this - I would proceed with care.

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - Avant

I'll repeat what I said in response to your last query:

Whatever you buy, go for one with a full service history. If that can't be proved, walk away.

Maybe see if you can find out whether the 2,000 miles a year has been mainly occasional long runs (probably OK) or lots of short trips to the shops or the station (avoid).

If that information isn't available, look for another one with something that's done 8-15,000 miles a year.

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - bathtub tom

I'd advise taking someone along with you to give it a good once over, particularly for crash damage repairs. Check the V5.

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - daveyjp

Ex motability car?

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - asdf asdf

Pictures just went up on the dealer's website, and I see there's paint pen right up the front of the engine bay - what do you think of this?

https://www.bigmotoringworld.co.uk/used/cars/bmw/1-series/118i-se-58426

It looks to me like 25th May 2020, which would be about 1 week before the dealer MOTed the car. I'm guessing that this was a part that was replaced, with the date written on for warranty purposes. Also, having recently watched the new 4-series BMW factory tour on Youtube, it runs on robots, not paint pens (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K7Xvatb6A4).

In any case, it looks like this was the reason that the car was sold. I'll ask the dealer about it and see what they say, it could be that just the bumper was damaged and they've done a good job of the work.

Thanks folks.

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - bathtub tom

If that cross beam's been replaced, then I'd suspect further damage, particularly to the bumper, bonnet, radiator, air bags and anything else around that area. I repeat my earlier comment about checking the V5 and other vehicle check sites to see if it's a write-off. I understand a dealer a dealer's required to inform you if it is.

I recall a story about someone's nearly new car was stopped by the BIBs after being left at an airport. It had different number plates front and rear. One of them was one digit different. Fortunately, the owner had photo's showing the number plates the same at an earlier date. An inspection showed it had obviously been in a crash, with many new components. The air bags had been removed and a 'fix' done to hide this.

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - asdf asdf

Thanks - still solid advice :)

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - thunderbird

I recall a story about someone's nearly new car was stopped by the BIBs after being left at an airport. It had different number plates front and rear.

Many years ago a colleague bought a new Datsun Bluebird (told you it was along time ago) and when he got home he spotted that the reg on the tax disc and number plates were different. Dealer blamed admin and said to take it back for them to sort.

When he went to collect it the disc and plates matched but then he noticed the etched reg number on the glass ads lights (he had paid for the dealer to do that) were different to the pales and tax disc.

I cannot remember what happened finally but pretty sure it did not end well, seem to recall the Police being called.

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - pd

According to the link it has already sold.

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - asdf asdf

That's my deposit - put it down based on spec list before pictures were available. Might be walking away though, sadly.

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - Ethan Edwards

I'd walk away and find a better example. After all its not like it's a rare car. Maybe include Golfs in your search.

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - bazza

The best stock is always with main dealers and the fact that this one isn't indicates there is a reason why they don't want it. Quite possibly it's had a bump and sub standard paint repair or unusual history of some sort. Regardless, it's a mass produced car and there will be hundreds of others to choose from, at this sort of money, I would source one from a main dealer, it will be a safer bet especially an expensive transaction such as this one

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - fray bentos

I'd walk away and find a better example. After all its not like it's a rare car. Maybe include Golfs in your search.

Is actually a rare car as it has the, in my opinion, the lovely beige leather option which brightens up the interior.I'd be wary of this dealer though as they have a reputation of selling finance rather than cars and charge you up to a £500 buying fee, and a warranty may also be extra. But good luck if you go for it!

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - pd

Their cars come from much the same place as anyone else's. They do rely on selling finance but if you don't want finance and can fight them off their headline prices are actually usually quite competitive (as that isn't where they make their money).

They're a bit pile 'em high sell 'em cheap but they have a habit of missing options in the hurry and can price a highly specced car at the same price as a standard one sometimes because they haven't really noticed in which case they sell quick.

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - Ethan Edwards

Rare? BMWs are the Escorts and Cortina's of today. You don't get more mainstream than a 1 series. Maybe beige isn't a popular option, but come on look around. There's nothing exclusive or special about them .

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - pd

The reason the OP is interested in that particular car is that it has a lot of options - some of which are not very common on a 1-Series. There are loads of cloth seated non-nav 1 Series about but if you want a particular selection of toys it isn't so easy.

With a Cortina you just had to find a L, LX or a Ghia.

BMW 1 Series - Low miler, reasonably new car? Safe enough? - fray bentos

Don't know if the Op has bought the car but I have discovered that you only get a 3 month warranty. The so called extended warranty is £1600 and they only fit used parts!