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Hi Kieran,

With that kind of mileage, you could probably look at saving yourself a bit of money by going for a petrol model - as long as the price gap between it and a diesel covers the fuel cost. Get your calculator out...

Of the cars you've mentioned, we'd go for a 3 Series. Few cars are as good to drive and it's the kind of thing you should own once at least. Check it carefully for wear and tear though and don't buy anything without a full service history. 

The only catch could be trying to find one that ISN'T a diesel...

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Hi William,

Both of those are really good options, but with that budget there are some others worth considering. Given your low mileage, you might want to take a look at (shock, horror) some petrol alternatives. Both the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage are plentiful on the second-hand ground with petrol engines and they're well worth considering.

From personal family experience, I can tell you that a CR-V with the 2.0-litre VTEC petrol engine gets a sold 38mpg in daily use and has been close to faultlessly reliable. Or, if you need an occasional seven-seater, the second-generation Hyundai Santa Fe falls within your budget and is a cracking car, well worth a look.

What do you think?

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Hi Dave,

Oil is the key here. Honda's first-ever diesel engine, the 2.2 i-CDTI unit fitted to the Accord, has always been a cracker - smooth, silent and powerful, but it needs a regular dose of high-grade oil and the problem here is that there's no warning light on the dashboard to tell you that the oil level is dropping. There is a conventional oil pressure light, but if that starts flashing it may already be too late. So, check that the engine is running smoothly and not spewing out clouds of dirty smoke and then check the oil level to make sure it's not down at the bottom of the dipstick. Then get used to checking it yourself, regularly.

Hondas of course have a tremendous reputation for reliability and being beautifully built and the Accord is no exception. There is one minor wrinkle though and it involves the engine's dual-mass flywheel. We've heard plenty of horror stories about the flywheel giving trouble. Excess noise, a slipping clutch or even the car popping out of gear can all be signs that the flywheel is giving gyp. Now, we have heard from various sources that this is an issue for the Accord and the 2.2 diesel engine, but in fairness, when we raised it with Honda Ireland, they told us that it has seen no pattern of issues, and its warranty claims don't show up any persistent problems.

Probably still worth taking your time to check though.

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Hi Marie,

Funnily enough this is similar to a series of incidents I went through with my father-in-law a few years back. He also had a BMW (a 5 Series) that was giving him no end of trouble and after, I think, the fourth time it left him stranded at the side of the road, he finally got sick of it and started shopping for a new car. I pointed him towards what I thought was a safe bet and, seven years on, he's had three quarters of a decade of near-faultless motoring in his Honda CR-V. Moral of the story? If you want a reliable car, go for a Honda. Take the Civic - it should be able to take a couple of bikes if you fold those clever rear seats flat too.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Tony,

There are some nice Ford Fiesta automatics around, usually with the 1.4-litre petrol engine that should fit your needs rather nicely.  Or better yet, what about a Honda Jazz 1.4 ES with the CVT automatic gearbox? We found one online for just over €16k and it's a cracking car - high quality, reliable, spacious and with a terrific 1.4-litre engine.

Let us know what you think

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Hi Karmel,

That Honda Civic has a timing chain. No maintenance or replacement of the chain is required unless it starts to rattle.

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Hi Joe,

Both excellent choices although it's worth pointing out that the petrol-powered Honda will struggle more to hold on to any value as the market is so diesel-obsessed at the moment. Still, that means prices are cheaper for you at buying time...

As with all Hondas, the CR-V is remarkably reliable, although this model has suffered from some issues. There have been some problems with trim scratching and scuffing too easily, as well as problems with the alternators. Some have had issues with the gearbox too and high front tyre wear. You should also check carefully underneath to make sure that any previous owner hasn't been taking the 4x4 bit too seriously.

That goes equally for the Hyundai and the good news here too is that reliability is excellent. The only regularly reported problems with the Santa Fe are that the air conditioning system can need regular re-gassing and that the stereo is pretty rubbish.

Both will be expensive to run though. The CR-V has CO₂ emissions of 194g/km so motor tax is going to be pricey. Despite being diesel, the Hyundai is no better, with CO₂ emissions of 191g/km. Both will average around 35mpg in regular driving.

I have to admit to a small bias - my father-in-law has owned his 2.0-litre petrol CR-V from new in 2007 and loves it. It's been massively reliable (only ever needing a replacement alternator) and he regularly gets better than 40mpg from it. That said, the Hyundai is also an excellent vehicle and I would say both are safe bets - try some test drives and see which one you prefer and let us know which way you go.

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Hi Nicky,

OK, I think you have a couple of options here. First off, assuming you have a friendly, trustworthy mechanic who looks after your Yaris, it's worth having a word with them to find out how much life they realistically think is left in it and how much money you'll need to spend to keep it going. If the omens are good in that respect, then there's nothing wrong in the slightest with sticking with what you know and keeping your current, faithful steed.

If it's a poorer prognosis then I'd suggest sticking with what you know and simply upgrade to a newer Yaris. The model that's just been replaced was a fine car, sturdy as ever and really quite nice to drive. You won't go wrong. As an alternative, have a look at a Honda Jazz. They are usually a little more expensive than an equivalent Yaris but are more spacious inside and a little more technically advanced, so well worth a look.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Mary,

Short answer, no. The CR-V is one of the most roomy and spacious SUVs around. In fact it makes you wonder quite if other car makers realise that the U in SUV stands for Utility...

The X3 is a typical BMW product - handsome, slick and terrific to drive, but there have been reports of troubles with the turbocharger on the older 2.0 diesel engines and the interior is surprisingly tight, especially if you're carrying kids - it's all but impossible to get three child seats across the back row. 

Why not check out the new CR-V instead? It's a really solid product, just as spacious as ever. Or, if you want a change of brand, have a good long look at the Hyundai Santa Fe - cracking car, that.

What do you think?

Expert answer

Hi Susan,

They are exceptionally long-lasting and reliable in fact. Just keep an ear out for clinking suspension and squeaking or rumbling brakes, which can be indicative of trouble down below. Make sure too that all servicing has been carried out on schedule and preferably by a main Honda dealer - that's the trick to keeping them on keeping on.