Expert answer

Hi Ashleigh,

How about a Mazda3 1.6 diesel? Sharp looking, sharp to drive, impressively economical and given Mazda's reputation it should stand up to years of family rough and tumble. We found on on Carzone.ie for under €5k from a dealer in Carlow as well.

Expert answer

Hi Sunil,

I'd say the Audi Q5. The GLK is still left-hand drive only (or did you mean the smaller GLA?) and pretty ugly. While the BMW X3 has evolved into a really nice car, for my money, the latest round of updates to the Q5 have just nudged it in front. Slick to look at, slick to drive and very comfy inside. It's a belter.

Expert answer

Hi Sinead,

All headlights have to conform to basic standards, but they do vary from car to car. If you feel your beams are unsatisfactory it may just be that they are incorrectly adjusted. A quick visit to your local garage should get that fixed. 

If it's not that, you can try replacing the bulbs with newer or brighter units. Or potentially fit a set of spotlamps that work on dipped beam (suitably set so they don't dazzle oncoming drivers of course).

Expert answer

Hi Ruairi,

You're expecting me to say 'everything' aren't you? 

Well, actually, 159s are pretty well built and when they do suffer from old-school Alfa flakiness, it tends to be more on a car-by-car basis. So the best trick is to talk to the previous owner. If the car gave them no major trouble, then it's probably a good 'un.

The critical check point is anything electric. Wiper motors are weak and the cruise control can freak out easily and take a good long test drive to make sure that the engine always delivers its power smoothly and consistently. If it doesn't then the ECU could be on the way out. 

Finally, if the front tyres are showing signs of uneven wear, then the front suspension is out of alignment and needs sorting.

Best of luck

Expert answer

Hi Stephen,

Well, according to the official figures, you should be getting 55mpg on average. If you're not getting that, or something near it, then you need to consider a few possibilities:

Are your tyres up to the correct pressures? Has the car been serviced lately, and given an oil and filters change? Are you carrying around lots of extra weight in the car or have you got a roof rack or roof box on top?

If none of these helps, maybe you need to take a look at your own driving style. Lighter throttle openings, earlier gearshifts, a bit more anticipation - that sort of thing.

Hope that's of some help

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

Good question. A peek at the VIN plate (usually somewhere in the engine bay) will often give you an original build date. I know, for example, that my own MINI was built in July 2009, about two months before it was first registered. Not all cars will have that info stamped on them though. You could try ringing up the car company that made it, and quote the VIN number, but some will probably be quite cagey about giving that info out, as they won't want to undermine their dealer, if it's a main dealer you're buying from.

Expert answer

Hi Surinder,

Yes, it's possible but don't. Never, ever buy a car with outstanding finance because the previous owner can simply default on their repayments as they please and then the finance provider will equally simply repossess the car. There's nothing you will be able to do about it and precious little legal comeback even if you can track down the former owner. Don't do it.

Expert answer

Hi William,

It's very, very tempting to go for the Merc – that badge on the bonnet is a major draw all by itself. Being sensible though, even with the extra cost up front, the Passat may actually offer better value. Given that both cars will be generally pretty reliable, the differences come down to things like running costs (is the Passat the 1.6 TDI? If so it's incredibly economical), equipment levels (the Passat is likely to be better equipped than the Merc, but do a proper comparison yourself between both cars to see) and what the dealer is offering you. Which one, for example, is offering the better warranty? A two-year warranty compared to a one- year one may not sound like much, for instance, but if something big goes wrong in year two it could save you an absolute packet.

Expert answer

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

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

Through a Volkswagen dealer you're looking at about €400 for a front door and nearly €350 for a rear door, not including VAT. We'd recommend with a car of that age to go through a scrap yard instead - you may even find one of the right colour.

Hope that helps