Hi guys.

I'm a newbie here so I hope I don't break any protocols...

I've been offered an '02 1.9JTD SX via a neighbours relative.

He's used it as a taxi: 200,000 miles is a lot in not many years.

It's clean, and because he's had it plated as a cab it's been meticulously serviced. AFAIK at the moment the only major 'innards' it's had changed is the gearbox and clutch.

What should I beware of with a vehicle of this mileage? I haven't a clue.

He's asking IRO £1500.

I'm an electrician and plan to use it for light work during the week and with seats in when it needs to carry a bunch of people.

Thanks in advance.

S.

Welcome to the forum . Should have plenty of life in it left as long as its been looked after nicely just check its had sinister things like the belts changed etc should have with those amount of miles!. As for the price I couldn't tell you seems good to me :slayer:.

IMO £1500 for an 02 plate is good but the milage is very high, on the other hand (this prob isnt the right word but taxi driver are very '*****' when it comes to driving) They are in 3rd gear as soon as possible and change at about 3000rpm so you can rest asure that this car would have certainly never been 'ragged'

Come down to the Doblo section and speak to a user called Niall. His van has done well over 200,000 miles and is going very strong. I'll look forward to seeing you there

I would say gearbox would be struggling, but if its had a new or recon'd one already then thats that out of the way.


the only other thing that would conern me is wheel bearing (can be expensive) and suspension componants.

and if its a diesel most taxi drivers usually change up just above idle (3000 is a lot for a 4pot diesel), but that isn't always a good thing, as it puts a huge amount of strain on the big end (shell) bearings under WOT at very low revs.
the other thing worth checking would be the turbo, take the cold side feed off and feel the spindle, make sure it doesn't have excessive play up and down, or in and out (a very small amount up and down is ok, any in and out = bin fodder).

the doblo at fiat caledonion near me, used for dropping parts off has nearly 300k and still going strong, and only a new clutch apparently, Ant!

I did over 200000 with a Clio diesel in 6 years with little more than regular maintenance. I did have to replace the gearbox. I sold it and got an Idea when I realized that the cost to replace the remaining original components (starter, alternator, driveshafts, steering gear, ...) was more than the ever-declining value of the car.

I know a ford ka, that had been used by some sort of lifeless rep, he clocked up 340,000 miles!!!! in under 18months!!!!

he traded it in to th ford garage where he bought it for the princey sum of £650

was fit for scrap, but they had to give him some 'minimum' amount.

didn't even see an mot testing station in that milage either

go to china (where 50% of cars are VW Santana's) half the taxis i went in had over 600,000km. the best i saw was just over 900,000km (even took a pic i was so impressed). when you see the traffic it makes you wonder how the hell they manage to do that milage.

You'll be surprised how long Doblo's will last... you should all pop down to the Doblo section and read this similar thread that 'state-it' posted down there