What not good for a car that does short journeys ?

[Sylvester]

Inlaws looking to buy car ( 3 years old ) with about £15K on the clock and know that the vast majority of the miles are round town AND short journeys ( journeys of less than 3 miles twice a day on many days of the year ).

 

Car has been serviced every year.

 

What kind of bad things could this kind of regular but short trip driving do to a car ( other than give low mpg! ) ?

[lomoto]

wont be a problem for modern engines, so long as it has oil changed ossasionally

[Trev-the-Rev]

In a worst-case scenario, excessive engine wear due to frequent cold running that because of a richer mixture can wash the bores and excessive clutch wear is also likely due to stop/start driving.

[H5]

Only other thing I have seen is over a longer period if a car is not driven at higher speed and gets a good air flow out through when it has been wet, they rust earlier than well used examples. But at 3 years old it is going to take some time for that!

[Chris`I]

wont be a problem for modern engines, so long as it has oil changed ossasionally

+1 - so long as its been serviced every year (or the correct interval) there should be no problems. I'd still get an RAC check done if its a private sale just to make sure

[Sylvester]

Thanks for the input guys - will make me look very knowledgeable in front of the inlaws...

[rmmackfc]

I'd have thought clutch issues may be the only concern

[ir_fuel]

Exhaust rusting due to lack of heat (condensation)