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Hi Tom,

A traditional 'dry' timing belt, mostly made of rubber, runs in air behind dust covers. A 'wet' belt is of similar construction but actually runs in oil behind sealed covers. The theory is that this reduces heat, friction and noise while enhancing reliability.

Unfortunately, the material of the belt can be damaged by contaminants in the oil itself, causing premature failure of the belt or other engine damage caused by bits of the belt clogging up other components.

Not every car that has a wet belt has an issue, but they certainly have a bad reputation.

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Hi John,

Your Octavia's boot is rated to 600 litres, we believe, which is difficult to match unless you go for a much larger car. The Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer, for example, holds a little more than that, but it's out of budget. Same story for the VW Tayron eHybrid (PHEV), which has a bigger boot again.

Those cars are still relatively new, so you can't afford used versions yet, either, though we did find a selection of second-hand Skoda Superb PHEVs on the market within budget. They're massive in all directions and might well suit your needs, so long as you don't mind going for a car that's two to three years old.

The VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq have comparable boots of well over 500 litres and are in budget – though there's much more choice in the ID.4 lineup for that money.

Last but not least, and assuming you have nothing against buying an SUV, the Hyundai Tucson PHEV has a boot of about 560 litres and is within budget.

Let us know what you think of these suggestions.

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Hi Paul,

That's a tricky one. We're familiar with the PSE of course and it's a cracking car. Unfortunately, very few people outside of the Peugeot dealer network are likely to understand what it is and you're unlikely to be offered a satisfactory price that reflects its true value.

But you can probably see the dealer's point of view as well: it's a special, niche model that just won't be in demand from the general public.

I'd suggest either finding a showroom that specialises in high-end and performance cars to try and better the trade-in offer (assuming they have a car you want of course) or sell the car yourself. It's a lot messier than trading in the car, obviously, and it may take time to find a serious buyer, but it's how you'd maximise its value.

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Hi Jerry,

We'd not have put the EV3 up against the bZ as a rival, as they're different sizes. The Toyota is a much larger car inside, though the Kia's boot is bigger, oddly. 

Both are smooth, comfortable and refined on the road and have a similar range and energy consumption. The Toyota is a little faster and a little better to drive, but we prefer the dashboard layout of the Kia.

In short, we can't pick a clear winner. If passenger space is a priority, then the Toyota would win, but other than that it's pretty much down to personal taste.

Go test-drive them both and let us know what you think.

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Hi Anas,

Cars sold in the EU will have a specific stamp or code beginning with “e” on the VIN plate or windscreen etc, but cars sold as new in other countries – even if they are identical to models sold in the EU – are unlikely to have that marking and therefore they do not have EU type approval at all.

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Hi Patricia,

No we don't - we review cars, as well as writing motoring news and features and producing video content to support same.

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Hi Wayne,

The 2016 Passat 2.0 TDI is one of the more reliable diesel models of its generation, though as with all of them you need to keep your eyes open for things like clogged DPFs and AdBlue issues.

Another known issue with the EGR cooler or valve causes rough running and poor economy and that's expensive to fix, but it won't affect all cars.

Finally, as most examples will be of high mileage, insist on a detailed service history and, if you go for one of these cars, invest in rear suspension bushes if there's no sign of them ever being done, as it will massively improve how the car rides and handles.

All cars of that age will need some maintenance, but the Passat is certainly one of the more dependable choices – so long as it has been properly maintained.

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Hi Simone,

I'm assuming you're trying to choose between that ex-demo Volvo and a brand-new Kia EV9, as we wouldn't usually consider these cars to be direct rivals, despite the fact they're both electric and can seat seven people.

The Volvo is supposedly the more luxurious car and brand for sure, and it's a very impressive vehicle. I too would be worried about the software, however, unless there's evidence that it has been updated to a newer version.

A new Kia EV9 would come with a much longer warranty and Kia also has a great reputation for reliability, so it's probably the safer bet. Saying that, the EV9 is also a lovely car, very well specified and spacious.

Make sure you drive examples of both to help you decide – and do let us know which way you go.

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Hi Brian,

That budget limits the options a little in terms of roominess. With five of you on board, especially if one or two are in boosters or child seats, then you'd definitely need a larger model. The Nissan Qashqai e-Power or the hybrid versions of the Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson would be perfect, for example.

Nonetheless, if there are no car seats to contend with then you should pop into a Toyota dealer and ask to check out the Corolla 'Touring Sports' estate and the Corolla Cross. They're both very good cars.

Another possibility is the Hyundai Kona. It's available as a hybrid, is within budget and is way larger than its predecessor inside, so it may well fit the bill.

One of the best options - if you're ok with an SUV shape - is the Dacia Bigster. Even a high-spec hybrid version is within budget for you, the rear has loads of room and it's great value for money.

Finally, the Renault Austral competes with the larger SUVs above and is fantastically spacious. It's slightly out of budget at a starting price of €41,995, but maybe you can do some negotiating...

Let us know if we're on the right track or if you need further help refining your search.

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Hi Colin,

I don't think you'll find a drastic difference between these cars in terms of their range in real-world usage. Indeed, changing your driving habits and top speed would likely have a larger effect.

So with that in mind, I reckon the Capri is the better bet, if for no other reason than it has a much larger boot.