These can go for miles; MALCOLM TUMBRIDGE gives advice on buying a used car IN ASSOCIATION WITH FISH 4

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Jan 16, 2008

Byline: MALCOLM TUMBRIDGE

CAR reliability and perhaps more importantly durability have improved enormously over the last 10 years.

Looking at car prices for vehicles registered in 1999 and 2000 it is clear that mileage stops being one of the key price drivers on old cars.

Cars of that vintage are being priced on demand and condition, not mileage.

So if the trade is less concerned about mileage, perhaps we should be too.

Here are three cars that have often completed significant motorway mileage and can be found at great prices.

BMW 5-SERIES (1988-1995) Looks very old now, but still has great engines and is a superb drive. The 5-series is very tough but now slipping down into banger territory, which means they can be superb value, but running costs are high.

Most economical: 525tds - 39.6mpg

Best used buy: 525i has great engine and SE specification and is more comfy.

Buy from: Careful owners in the classified ads with loads of service history.

UsedCarExpert.com faults to spot: 25 Used Car Expert price guide: A 2001 252tds is likely to have completed around 80,000 miles. It should be around pounds 7,220 to pounds 8,000.

AUDI A6 (1997-2004)

Easily matches BMW 5 and Mercedes E-Class and is certainly better built inside and out, but the Audi badge does not have the image and that means lower prices. Avant estate is a very decent size.

Most economical: 1.9 TDI 115 - 52.3mpg Best used buy: 2.4 V6, big engine, decent power and because petrol, cheap.

Buy from: Private sales and direct from company directors.

UsedCarExpert.com faults to spot: 15

Used Car Expert price guide: A 2001 1.9 TDI Avant Estate is likely to have around 100,000 miles on the clock. It should be around pounds 3,800 to pounds 4,491.

SAAB 9-5 (1997-present)

Well built, lavishly equipped and always cheap. Here is the perfect used executive car which has it all, including a great safety record. Prices get lower all the time.

Most economical: 2.2 TiD - 38.2mpg Best used buy: 2.0 Turbo with SE specification.

Buy from: Saab specialist or direct from company, fleet seller.

UsedCarExpert.com faults to avoid: 13

Used Car Expert price guide: A 2001 2.2 TiD Linear is likely to have around 80,000 miles on the clock. It should cost around pounds 6,600 to pounds 7,500.

CAPTION(S):

DURABLE - from top, BMW, Saab and Audi all have great reputations for their reliability over the years