Expert answer

Hi Bob,

Like all Volvos, the V50 is pretty solid, but you do need to check for some specific faults. The air conditioning compressor is prone to damage from salt and road debris, so check to make sure that it’s working properly. The 1.6 diesel has a weakness in its oil and water pumps and it needs a steady diet of high-quality oil. The diesel particulate filter will also give trouble if the car has only done low mileage or has been mostly driven around town. Excessive vibration can be the dual mass flywheel on the way out. Black smoke from the exhaust is usually a blown turbo or exhaust gas recirculation valve. Sunroofs can leak, electric components can be tricky, especially the ignition and central locking system, and you need to check for cracked springs, broken balljoints, and wishbone bushes.

Expert answer

Hi Gerry,

Absolutely. Unless you’re doing at minimum 20,000km a year, it makes much more sense to have a petrol engine. Cheaper to buy up front, lower maintenance costs and no issues with exhaust filters (DPFs) etc.

Expert answer

Hi Liam,

We’ve been on to the guys from Peugeot about this, and they’ve told us that they’ve never heard of a manufacturing fault that can cause a recurrent dent, and definitely haven’t heard of a specific issue with the 5008. They also said, though, that you won’t invalidate your warranty if you add in an adhesive pad to the back of the panel. 

Expert answer

Hi David,

Yes, you could just about do 48km each way in an electric car, certainly in the Ioniq and just about in the 30kWh Nissan Leaf, although it would be hugely helpful if there could be some way of charging up at work. A Renault Zoe might do the trick too.

Hyundai asks for a minimum €5,000-odd deposit on a new Ioniq, and the repayments are quite steep so that one might be out of the question, although they come down to around €360 if you can put a €10,000 deposit down. A basic Nissan Leaf, with €6,762 down, will cost you just €264 a month, which might leave enough wriggle room to go for the bigger battery, and Nissan has some tempting free insurance offers on at the moment, while Renault asks just €179 a month for a Zoe, but the battery rental is extra and it comes with some quite tight mileage stipulations.

The other, possibly better, option would be to go half-electric. Toyota can put you into a Prius or an Auris Hybrid for as little as €199 to €263 a month (again, depending on deposits etc.) or you can get the rather impressive new Kia Niro for €353 a month with a €9,000 deposit. All of those should average as much as 60mpg, which would put a big dent in your fuel costs.

Read our relevant reviews here to help you choose:

Kia Niro review

Hyundai Ioniq Electric review

Nissan Leaf review

Renault Zoe review

Toyota Prius review

Expert answer

Hi Andy,

If you're only covering 10k a year mileage then you're probably better off in a petrol, so go for the 1.6. It's a solidly reliable engine too. If you want some alternatives, then maybe have a look for a Toyota Corolla Verso or a Honda FR-V, both of which come with pretty frugal petrol engines and are hugely reliable. 

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

There are no major reported issues for the SEAT Exeo (and SEATs tend to be pretty solidly reliable) and the Insignia generally only suffers from minor electrical issues (usually in the central locking and alarm system) and the boot seals (which can leak and let in water). Of the two, we’d go for the Insignia - it’s roomier, it’s nicer to drive and looks and feels a bit more prestigious.

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

I think your best bet is to sell the car in Germany first, but possibly not to this other person you’re speaking about. If you’re concerned about what a future owner may do with a car, then the best thing is to find someone else to sell it to. Bringing the car into Ireland to sell will involve a large amount of paperwork and a hefty price tag in Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT), so I think you’re going to be better off by far selling the car in Germany.

Expert answer

Hi Declan,

If it is, you’ll get a letter from Volkswagen to ask you to book the car in for an inspection. If you’re still concerned, contact your local dealer to check.

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

It probably won’t. Opel confirmed at the Paris Motor Show last year that there won’t be right-hand drive production of the Ampera-e and that position has not yet changed. If there’s a sudden jump in demand from the UK and Ireland for electric cars, then Opel may well reconsider, but for now, we won’t be getting it. 

Expert answer

Hi Chris,

No. The E 200 is, to be honest, a bit too underpowered. We’d recommend, if you can find one, getting hold of the more powerful (and no less frugal) E 220 CDI diesel. Both models are good for reliability, comfort and space, however.