14 Sep 01
If the seats are saggy and the steering wheel worn smooth, then the car's a high-miler, whatever the mileometer (or the seller) says. Other signs of high mileage include worn or missing pedal rubbers (or brand-new ones), a driver's seatbelt that doesn't retract properly, worn carpet under the driver's mat, sagging or stained upholstery, damaged trim etc. If the numbers on the clock (odometer or mileometer) don't line up properly, then it could have been tampered with. Are the carpets wet, especially in the driver's footwell? This could mean leaking windscreen seals, or holes in the bulkhead, floor or even the heater matrix. Look in the boot, and lift up the carpet if possible. Are there any signs of welding? Or is the floor rippled from an impact?
