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Hi Tony,

New or old? Frankly, they're all good. The current car is slick, massively spacious, lovely to drive and, aside from occasionally poor fuel economy, terrific ownership prospects. 

The previous generation is all of that with slightly less slick styling inside and out. Make sure you go for the later, post-facelift model that uses Mazda's own 129- or 180hp 2.2 diesel engine.

Finally the original - made from 2002 - it's a landmark car. Reliable, fabulous to drive and quietly handsome. They're super-cheap now and a perfect low-budget purchase.

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Hi Michael,

I'd go for the Mazda above the Volvo every time in this case. The old S40 is much smaller and less spacious than the Mazda6 and the Japanese car is also excellent to drive. 

Mazdas are generally exceptionally reliable, but on the 2.0 diesel just watch for low oil pressure and a sticky manual gearshift. Both can be fixed but they are recurring problems. Check the air conditioning system for leaks too.

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Hi David,

I'd suggest flogging both cars and getting yourself into a newer Audi A3. They're comfy, sweet to drive, reliable and easy to sell on again eventually. Hard to go wrong with it, really. Lots to choose from so be fussy and make sure yours has a full service history and reasonably low mileage.

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Hi Vittorio,

You've got it all answered yourself there. The BMW's overall residual value will indeed be slightly better, but, long term, the Mazda should prove to be much more reliable and rugged. Both are excellent to drive. The BMW's classic rear-drive chassis is slightly the superior, but the Mazda's muscular steering feel and firmly sprung chassis makes it one of the best front-drive saloon chassis around. 

Nothing major to watch for on either - just make sure there's a fully stamped up service history and check the BMW carefully to make sure that all the electrical bits work and that it's been topped up with high grade oil at each service. Both cars may have been driven hard by previous owners (many will be ex-fleet) so check carefully for thinks like uneven tyre wear or noises from underneath that indicate worn or out-askew suspension.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Janice,

Yes, but perhaps not the most economical in the class. Going on personal experience, a Mercedes-Benz E 200 or E 250 CDI will average in the high forties mpg whereas a BMW 520d or an Audi A6 2.0 TDI should easily get over the 50mpg barrier in everyday driving.

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Hi Craig,

The Audi A6 has a timing belt.

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Hi Damien,

Right, did the dealer offer a warranty? If so, any faults should be covered. Even if they didn’t, you’re quite right — under consumer protection laws a product has to be ‘of merchantable quality’ and clearly that car isn’t. I’d ask for something in writing from the Audi dealer that inspected the car, setting out exactly what the fault is and then if the dealer still won’t play ball, get your solicitor on the case.

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Hi Jim,

I'm inclined to agree with you, though it's difficult to know for sure without experiencing it for myself. From what you say it really sounds like a clutch or flywheel problem and the only way to fix it could be a replacement of those items. Not cheap, sadly.

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Hi Chris,

Well, the simplest answer to your rain problem is that it sounds as if the door or window seals are gone, or it could possibly be a leak from the air conditioning system. A quick trip to the garage should sort that out. As for the Duster, it’s a fine car for the money — they’re reasonably nice to drive, certainly rugged and reliable and very practical too, but you’re going to have to put up with seats that are less than stellar on longer journeys, and a dashboard made of the lowest-grade plastics around.

2016 Dacia Duster review (post-facelift)

2012 Dacia Duster review

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Hi there,