Expert answer

Hi Colm,

Taking the C 200 CDI as a baseline, the official figures are 58mpg for the manual, 55mpg for the automatic. Did you read our road test of the car?

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Hi Robert,

The weak areas on an X-Type are the suspension and transmission. Keep an ear out for gearbox whines, knocking suspension and rattling steering columns. Wheel hubs were known to fail on earlier models but a 2010 version should be fine. Worth noting that the X-Type seems to have higher repair and maintenance costs than an equivalent BMW or Audi - rather odd for a car that shares so much with a Ford Mondeo. 

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Hi Carmel,

There were many versions of the Clubman sold here though we suspect you're talking about one of the diesels. Also, to be clear, these figures are for the 'R55' model, discontinued in 2013.

Diesels:

- MINI One D Clubman (manual): 103g/km - Band A3 - €190 per year

- MINI Cooper D Clubman (auto): 138g/km - Band B2 - €280 per year

- MINI Cooper D Clubman (manual): 103g/km - Band A3 - €190 per year

- MINI Cooper SD Clubman (auto): 141g/km - Band C - €390 per year

- MINI Cooper SD Clubman (manual): 115g/km - Band A4 - €200 per year

Petrols:

- MINI Cooper Clubman (manual): 129g/km - Band B1 - €270 per year

- MINI Cooper Clubman (auto): 152g/km - Band C - €390 per year

- MINI Cooper S Clubman (auto): 150g/km - Band C - €390 per year

- MINI Cooper S Clubman (manual): 137g/km - Band B2 - €280 per year

- MINI John Cooper Works Clubman (manual): 167g/km - Band D - €570 per year

- MINI One Clubman (auto): 152g/km - Band C - €390 per year

- MINI One Clubman (manual): 129g/km - Band B1 - €270 per year

Expert answer

Hi Noel,

All things being equal, it'll be the Merc that'll do better. I'm comparing the 2011 model years for both as I'm assuming you mean the previous generation of Mercedes-Benz ML-Class. 

According to the official figures, the ML 280 CDI automatic gets 30.1mpg on the combined cycle, while the Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 DID automatic returns 26.6mpg. 

Hardly surprising really: the Mitsubishi has a five-speed gearbox compared to the Merc's six-speed unit, plus it's lugging around a heavier body and seven seats (the Merc's a strict five-seater).

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Ruadhan,

That, I'm afraid, is a question with too many variable answers. Second-hand vehicle values are like stock market values - they go up and down and often rather unpredictably. There are a few rules of thumb, though...

1. It's got to be diesel. Yes, we (and others) have tried to educate the motoring populace that diesel power doesn't automatically mean better economy or lower running costs, but right now the market is diesel-crazy and if it doesn't sip from the black pump, it's not going to hold on to its value.

2. The lowest depreciating cars are, obviously, the most popular models. So the likes of the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Santa Fe, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and so on will always hold on to their value the best. Check the list of the top-ten best-selling cars on the market - these are your depreciation heroes.

3. What about depreciation villains? Anything that the market doesn't trust, really. Estates tend to fare especially poorly, anything with a French badge is suspect and if it's Italian, forget it. You'll lose your shirt on any of these.

4. Spec is king. You can have the most in-demand car going but if it's painted bright yellow and has green seats, you're never going to shift it. So, to keep depreciation at bay, stick with dark metallics and subtle interior tones. Pale cabin colours tend to fare less well when it comes to wear and tear, so the market prefers blacks and greys on the inside too. If it's an executive car, it has to have an automatic gearbox. Anything with factory-fit air conditioning and Bluetooth telephony is looking good, leather is always helpful but other expensive toys don't always help a car hang on to its value.

Hope that's all of interest

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

It kinda depends on the spec of the cars in question. If, for instance, it's a 2.0 160hp Insignia versus a 110hp 316d, then go for the Opel. If it's a 320d, then go for the Beemer.

Come back to us in the comments if you'd like more help.

Expert answer

Hi Tom,

If the stop-start system is not working ever then it's probably worth a trip to your Audi dealer to have it looked at, but bear in mind that there are plenty of conditions in which it will not operate and it may not be immediately obvious why. Here's Audi's official stance on it:

"The system is automatically activated when the ignition is switched on. If the driver doesn't want to use it, it can simply be switched off at the touch of a button.

"This is how it works: brake the car down to a standstill, shift into neutral and release the clutch. The system now switches off the engine and signals this via an indicator lamp. Depress the clutch before continuing the journey - the engine now starts automatically and the indicator lamp goes out again.

The start-stop function only works when...

• the driver's door and the bonnet are closed
• the driver is wearing a seat belt
• the vehicle has been driven at faster than 4km/h before stopping
• the vehicle is not pulling a trailer

In some cases the engine will not be switched off, for instance when...

• the engine temperature is still too low
• the difference between the interior temperature and the temperature selected via the air conditioning system is still too great
• the outside temperature is very high or very low
• the windscreen is being de-iced
• the optional parking aid or the optional park assist is activated
• the battery charge is too low
• the steering wheel is at a sharp angle or is being turned
• reverse gear is engaged
• the road is steep

The engine is started automatically by the system when...

• the vehicle rolls forward
• the windscreen is being de-iced
• there is a large difference between the interior temperature and the temperature selected via the air conditioning system
• the brake pedal has been depressed several times in succession
• the battery charge is too low

Expert answer

Hi Craig,

Thankfully, not as much as Land Rovers of old. It seems that, bar the occasional 'Friday afternoon car' the Disco 3 is a well-made, mostly reliable product. Check carefully though for any electrical gremlins (literally push every button and make sure that what it's supposed to control responds as it should) and check for any leaks or uneven sitting from the air suspension - could be a sign that the compressor is on its way out. Make sure that the automatic gearbox (few were sold as manuals) shifts crisply and cleanly too - the Disco 3 doesn't have the same reputation for chewing transmissions as its predecessor, but it can still be a weak point. And, as with any big off-roader, check carefully to see if it's been abused or worked hard as a builder's mate.

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

You wouldn't go wrong with a Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI DSG. Cracking car, great gearbox.

Expert answer

Hi Aidan,

To be honest, the hard part is going to be finding an automatic car that's within your budget. I'd say hold out for a Honda, purely on reliability, but any of the usual Focus-Golf-Astra-Corolla types should be fine as long as you get something with decent history.

Hope that helps