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Hi Laurie,

Well, I'm assuming that, as you have a Rio, you won't want to see your price tag or running costs rise by too much, so how about a Skoda Fabia Combi estate? Similar in size and running costs to the Rio, but with a massive boot that should easily take your golf clubs (although you should bring them on the test drive to make sure they slot in OK - better safe than sorry). 

If the Fabia is still too small and you want to stay within the Kia family, then what about a cee'd SW estate? Masses of space, frugal 1.6 diesel engine and you should get a decent deal on a one- to two-year old example, still with lots of that nice full-sized Kia warranty to run.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Jay,

I'd say you should track down a nice, well-cared for BMW 520d Touring. Make sure the turbo is giving proper power and don't accept anything without a full and complete service history. Might be worth a trip to the UK to find one as Tourings are thin on the ground here.

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Hi there,

If you don't need acres of space in the back seats, go for a Suzuki Swift - it's small, reliable, frugal and lots of fun to drive. If you need a bit more in the way of cabin or boot space, consider a Skoda Fabia Combi estate.

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Hi Barbara,

If the C-Max is in good condition and has a full service history, go for that one. It'll be more reliable than the Renault.

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Hi Tom,

How about a Fiat Multipla? OK, not everyone's idea of a good looking car, but it's got an amazing interior, bags of space, is terrific to drive and I found one for €4,500. Yes, I know... OK, on with the sensible stuff though.

There are plenty of Opel Zafiras around for that kind of money, but you will have to search hard to find a diesel one. They are out there though. Plenty of Peugeot 307 SW estates (which came with a seven-seat option) too, but tread carefully and make sure there are no electrical gremlins to deal with. Ditto Renault Scenics. Actually, the more ruggedly reliable Kangoo (or a Citroen Berlingo for that matter) might be a better option.

The most sensible suggestion would be a Toyota Corolla Verso, but they're very, very hard to find with a diesel engine at that price level. Might be worth biting the bullet and going for petrol to get the best.

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Hi Michael,

The Qashqai is a cracking car, but the problem here is that the new, second generation Qashqai, is so much better, it makes the old one seem just a tad disappointing. On that basis, I'd go for the cee'd - it's handsome, nice to drive, well made, has a massive boot and still has four years of its warranty left to run.

Let us know what you decide either way

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Hi Roger,

It’s a very solid car, the Passat, but check for a juddering clutch, for faulty electronic parking brakes and the cam belt needs to be changed every 130,000km or four years, but if it’s had a recent change then it’ll be fine. Of course, it’s also worth asking whether or not the car has been in yet for its diesel emissions recall and update.

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Hi there,

There are not generally any set change intervals for timing chains. If a car is well-maintained (in terms of oil changes etc.) then it should never have to be changed really.

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Hi Susan,

For your budget, you could consider an Audi A3 1.9 TDI five-door. Classy, good to drive and very economical. Perhaps not the most spacious car in the world in the back and boot, but it will take a buggy.

Or, how about a car based on the same mechanical package as the A3, but with the boot space to be able to handle a whole creche's worth of kiddy clobber? I speak of course of the Skoda Octavia. A brilliant car, with tonnes of space, and your budget would get you a 2008 model with the 1.9 TDI diesel engine in range-topping 'Elegance' trim. So, comfy then.

Skoda not your thing? Want something classier? I have just the thing... How about a 2008 Volvo V50 estate with the 1.6-litre diesel engine? An easy 50mpg, family practicality thanks to the estate body and your mind will be forever at ease on the safety front.

What do you think?

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Hi Susan,

Values seem to range from just over €8,000 to just over €13,000 - a pretty big variation. To be honest, the big numbers are being asked by dealers and we think they may be on the optimistic side. Probably around €10,000 is a fair valuation, maybe €9,000 as a trade-in.

Let us know how you get on