Expert answer

Hi Laura,

I reckon the Fiat Sedici would be perfect. It is a small car with good fuel economy (from a diesel) that also happenes to come with four-wheel drive, which would make towing really easy. We found one that is within your budget and I reckon it would be a super little car for you.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Bill,

As with all such jobs, we'd recommend it is done by an experienced mechanic. Special tools are sometimes required to remove these connections from fuel filters, though most of the time they're held on with clips that need to be pushed/pulled or squeezed in a certain way.

If you send us on a photograph we may be able to give you more specific advice.

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

I believe that the newer Passats have a paper cartridge filter that is housed within a permanent fixing. You may need a special tool to open it. If you cannot see it from above then you may need to remove the plastic engine cover.

We always recommend that readers turn to experienced professionals if they are in any doubt.

No doubt you already know how to change the oil itself, but if not come back to us. Likewise, send me a photograph of the engine bay and filter housing and I'll do my best to talk you through it.

Kind regards

Expert answer

Hi Sinead,

They are both around the same price and both really excellent cars. The new A6 is very refined, feeling now more like a small Audi A8 and the 2.0-litre diesel is powerful and relatively quiet. I did a short video on the car which you can view here.

The BMW 5 Series is selling really well because it offers so much car for a really good price.

Comparing them, I would say that the Audi has a fractionally better interior than the BMW, but for me in every other regard the BMW would be my preference because it looks better and drives better.

The two cars are really very close, so to be honest Sinead I would say that whichever one takes your fancy will be a good buy. They even have the same levels of standard equipment. It really is down to a Coke vs Pepsi arguement here: just down to personal taste.

Expert answer

Hi Joe,

Yes there is a difference, but it has nothing to do with the fact that one of them is imported from the UK. The 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo is taxed on the old system, which is scaled according to engine size. As its engine is larger than 3,000cc the annual tax is €1,566.

As the 2009 model was registered after the 2008 changeover to CO₂-emissions based taxation, and its emissions are higher than 226g/km, it is considered to be in the highest group, Band G. That attracts a significantly more expensive €2,100 annual bill.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Andrew,

That is quite an unusual spec S-Max that you have and as such it is reasonably difficult to price it because there are lots of basic spec 1.8-litre diesels around with manual transmissions. If you were selling that privately I think you would want around €18,500 for it though you'd probably get around €17,000-€17,500  if you traded it in.

Once that car starts to creep towards 100,000km the value will drop quite a lot, so bear that in mind. But the thing is, what would you be replacing it with anyway? I would probably think of upgrading to a newer one if you are in that frame of mind and can afford to do so, because it is probably at its most valuable now as the mileage is reasonable.

It is a lovely car though and it will be costly to get another at that spec. I guess you need to sit down with the calculator and figure out what you can afford. You might need about €14,000 along with your own to get into something similar in a demo model 2011 car.

I hope this helps!

Expert answer

Hi Paul,

These cars are really very similar and it can be difficult to seperate them when you compare them in almost every category. You didn't mention the Skoda Octavia or Superb here which is surprising since they are rated so highly by the taxi industry and they are also ultra reliable. The Passat hasn't always been that reliable while there appear to be fewer problems with the Mondeo. Having said that, both engines are really very good though and will be super frugal.

To be honest, I would probably still go with the Passat as it looks and feels a little more upmarket and that would be good in your line of work.

Expert answer

Hi Hazel,

What you need is something that will be reliable, has low mileage, has a full service history from a SIMI dealer and that will be a little bit fun to drive. I had a look for you and there are several that match your criteria on sale at the moment. We found a great little Kia Picanto: it has only 30,000km on the clock and is a smashing wee thing that would cost you very little to run.

We really like the Fiat Panda too, as it is a straightforward car that is chic, charming and fun and you could get one with really low mileage that is within your budget. You can never really go wrong with a Ford Fiesta: this would be a super car to own although the mileage on is a little higher.

If you want something that is a little bigger, then this Nissan Primera would be a good car and this is a low-mileage example.

Out of all of these, that Picanto could be a super little buy.

Expert answer

Hi John,

Yes, that is a good price and very much at the lower end of the scale of how much you might expect to pay. Is it too cheap though? Is it from an SIMI dealer? Has it a full service history and have you done a Motorcheck report on it?

Here is one from around that price that meets the criteria.

Expert answer

Hi Liam,

If you planning on selling it privately you should ask around €6,000 as your starting point leaving you room to negotiate. As a trade-in from a garage, you are likely to be offered around €4,000 - €5,000 at best, obviously depending on what you are trading in against.

I hope this helps!