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Hi Jean,

Tricky to say, I'm afraid, as the trade-in value offered by a dealer has as much to do with their business model and circumstances as it does with any intrinsic value in the car. It also of course depends on the car you're trading it in for. If it's something that's sticking to their forecourt, they'll be more keen to offer you a good deal to get shot of it. Values for a 5 Series like yours seem to vary from around €27,000 at the high end to low-twenties for higher-mileage models. You can knock off around €1,500 - €2,000 from that for the dealer to build in a margin and defray any costs of preparing the car for sale, so your trade-in should range from around €20,000 to €25,000, but that's a best guess and nothing more.

Try and have a ring around (or better yet, a drive around if you have the time) to various dealers and try and get them to give you a rough idea of what they'd give you for the car.

Do let us know how you get on,

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Hi Anne,

Electrics mostly - everything from the electric windows to the alarm system can give trouble, but also check in the boot for water getting in as the boot seals can be a bit dodgy on early models.

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Hi Simon,

It's a technicality of HP that you don't actually own the car until the last payment is made, but it won't affect your insurance as the car will still be registered to you. Essentially, the finance company buys the car for you and you're repaying them the money that they gave you, the loaning of which is secured against the value of the car. If your name is on the registration document, which it will be, then you are the registered owner of the car.

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Hi John,

Yup, a small diesel sounds like it should be ideal for you. Depending on what kind or size of car you need I'd recommend either a MINI Cooper D 1.6 (small and sporty), Opel Astra 1.3 CDTi (slower, but more spacious), Toyota Auris 1.4 D-4D (similar to Opel but probably more reliable) or that old favourite the Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI BlueMotion (ultra economical). Or, if you need more space how about a Skoda Octavia Combi estate 1.6 TDI or a Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 HDi?

Help us with your needs and we'll narrow that down a little!

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Hi Thomas,

It's very hard to tell I'm afraid, as some people (and indeed dealers) baulk at the idea of a Japanese import, regardless of the car's actual condition and history. It's basically a knee-jerk reaction, but that's essentially what a marketplace is - a series of knee-jerk reactions leading to a consensus. Anyway, I reckon you're looking at a value of around €1,000, give or take.

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Hi Jaro,

Are you talking about the E46 model (1998 to 2006) or the E92 (2007 to 2013)?

If it's the E46, check carefully for any suspension problems - listen for clonking noises from underneath and look closely for uneven tyre wear. There was also a problem with radiator cooling fans failing. It's easily replaced but the problem is that the damage may already have been caused so if the car you're looking at has had a new fan, check carefully for any signs of head gasket damage or overheating.

If it's the E92, then cabin rattles and nosies are your biggest problem. They can be fixed but they can be a nightmare of trial and error to do so. Some electronic systems can also give trouble, especially the optional Bluetooth phone system, but that can usually be fixed with a software patch from a BMW dealer. The petrol 320i version can burn through a lot of oil, so take a long test drive to check for any signs of leaks or a smell of burning oil or blue exhaust smoke. There have been reports of total engine failures for the 320i too, but thankfully they seem to be very rare.

Hope that all helps

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Hi Tirziman,

Mostly pros, few cons. Mondeos are very well made and reliable and while the 1.6 TDCi engine is no ball of fire, it is very economical. You should get well over 1,000km from a full tank. 

The only cons are down to the age of the design. Compared to the likes of the Volkswagen Passat, Hyundai i40 or Opel Insignia the cabin is starting to feel rather old-fashioned but that's about it.

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Hi Jackie,

It should be pretty solid, although if it’s the 1.9 TDI diesel then they can suffer from fuel injection and air mass sensor issues. Also, with a car of that age, you’ll need to check everything (literally everything) to make sure it’s working OK. If it’s in good condition and comes with a full service history though, then it should be fine.

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Hi Ambrose,

Yup, that figure is correct. There was a model year change in 2012 that saw the emissions of the 2.0-litre D-4D diesel engine fall from 135g/km (Band B2) to 120g/km (Band A4). Mind you, the difference in annual motor tax is only €80 so it's not a huge thing. There were some other minor tweaks in terms of equipment between the 2010 model year and the 2012 version, but nothing major - the core of the car is still the same and for the sake of that €80 gap in the tax bill, you may well be able to argue yourself a better deal on the older model.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Eddie,

There are certainly no reports out there of any persistent handbrake issues with the FR-V so it could just be a specific problem with that car - the handbrake may have been over-adjusted at the last service, perhaps. Try another one and see if you feel the same problem. Otherwise FR-Vs are, like all Hondas, staggeringly reliable and well made. There are just no repeated problems with them, so, as long as the one you're looking at has a full service history and is in good nick, you should be fine.

Just watch for two things; check the interior and especially the boot for signs of excess wear and tear - these are hard-working family machines and many have been treated with a fair amount of disdain. Then check the tyres for signs of uneven wear - that could mean that the suspension has been knocked askew, something that's easily done as the FR-V is a little wider than most cars.

Hope that helps