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Hi David,

In general this Fiesta (assuming it's the shape that was launched in 2002) was quite reliable. Our standard advice is to get as detailed a service history as possible and perhaps a Cartell.ie car history check too as it was imported from the UK.

A few specific things to look for on this model include water pump or power steering noises (they both fail) and damp carpets. These can all be remedied relatively cheaply, but best to get the seller to pay!

Hope that helps.

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Hi John,

A very credible option, but it does depend on where you do your driving. With a Prius of that age, you need to be doing almost all your driving in town to make the most of its powertrain. Long journeys on the motorway are not the Prius’ forte, at least until you get into the current model, so if you’re a townie, then it’s definitely a good choice. Hugely reliable too.

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Hi Adrian,

There's no doubt that premium cars of this age can come with costly repair bills. The older they get the more likely something will go wrong, no matter how reliable they are in general. The example you're looking at already has quite high mileage so we'd say budget for a grand or so of repairs a year just in case.

This generation of the A4 was reliable enough. Most problems seem to have stemmed from heating and cooling systems (in particular the air conditioning) and electrics so thoroughly inspect the car - preferably with a bit of professional help. Ensure that the gearbox (assuming it's manual) is smooth and noise-free and that there is no clonking from the front suspension.

Hope that helps

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Hi there,

It depends on your driving style, and on where you do most of your driving. If you’re in town all the time, and stuck in stop-start traffic, then it could be worth tracking down a Toyota Prius or a Honda Insight hybrid, bot of which should sip fuel in such circumstances. If you’re up on main roads and motorways all day long, then diesel is still a good idea. A VW Golf 1.6 TDI BlueMotion would be a solid bet for maximum economy then, although if you fancy something a little more stylish, a MINI Cooper D (with the 1.6 diesel engine) will crack 60mpg on a long run.

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Hi Rory,

First of all, there are a huge number of factors that affect your fuel consumption. Tyre pressures is a major one - ensure they're in spec. Next up is your use of the air conditioning and other energy-sapping devices like rear window demister. The weight you carry in the car and whether you have a roof box or roof bars fitted will also have an effect. Last, but certainly not least, is your driving style.

You've not told us which engine you have so we'll assume it's the 1.5 dCi 105hp, as that's one of the most common in Ireland. The official urban figure for that car was 6.4 litres/100km (44.1mpg) and the combined consumption figure is 5.4 litres/100km (52.3mpg).

Hope that's of some help

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Hi Colm,

Most drivers of the 2009/2010 BMW 520d saloon see between 40- and 50mpg (7.1- to 5.6 litres/100km)  depending on their driving style and where the car is used. It'll certainly do that when used on the motorway.

Hope that helps.

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Hi Brian,

Good timing! We have the GT86 on test this week. Here it is on the very twisty and very bumpy Dublin Mountain roads:

Review will be done in time, but I can confirm that it's even more impressive here than it was at the launch in Spain. Its small size and low weight are ideally suited to tight and twisty roads and though firm, the suspension deals with rough surfaces and bumps (even mid-corner) brilliantly. The none-too low profile tyres no doubt help with that.

On the open road it's hugely engaging and very fast. It feels weightless and while it goes where you point it there's a lot of movement underneath if you want it. Turn off traction control and it regularly slides too - though don't expect big drifts on the public road!

While it is lacking a little in low-down torque, it's only an issue for overtaking, as the car feels quick at all times, and is very quick if you use all the revs.

Away from driving for the fun of it, the GT86 is still brilliant. Some might not get it, and it's not quiet, but it even works well in town, where its small size, quick steering and relatively supple suspension mean it doesn't feel at all out of place.

Overall: a fabulous car. Really works on Irish roads. Really special.

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Hi Sinead,

Before tackling the diesel issue, the Nissan Qashqai is a fine car. It's a little bigger than the Golf and feels it because of the higher driving position and larger boot. In general it has proved to be a reliable car with only a few minor issues cropping up.

The 1.5 dCi diesel is a good choice of engine, though if you really do stick to Dublin and its environs it may be worth considering the cheaper 1.6-litre petrol instead. It's a shame Nissan doesn't currently have a smaller capacity turbocharged alternative, as that would be a great option. The diesel car will be more economical for sure.

Hope that helps.

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Hi Lisa,

You're better placed than us to answer that question, as it really depend on your driving style, the road conditions, how heavy traffic is, the type of road and how full the car is.

Saying all that, the official combined consumption figure for that car is 3.7 litres/100km (76.3mpg) and it has a 53-litre fuel tank. So that means 358 kilometres. The 'combined' figures can be a little misleading though, as they don't relate to the real world.

We'd estimate 250 kilometres on average for that car.

Hope that's of some help.

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