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Hi there,

Both Corolla and Mazda3 would be good choices, but it's worth having a good look for a Honda Civic too. Best to max out the reliability factor when buying on a budget...

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Hi Brian,

Nope, no major problems. As you say; as good as all other Hondas. Potentially even better, as Honda was keen to push its hybrid technology so was even more careful than usual about making sure all the bolts were done up right.

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Hi Noel,

Yes, unreservedly. One of the most reliable cars around and also comfy, nice to drive and, in the current version, really rather handsome too. The only issue has traditionally been a very limited engine range. On older versions, 1.8- and 2.0-litre petrols were your lot, more recently there has been 2.0 and 2.4 petrols and a 2.2 diesel. Currently, only the 2.2 diesel (in 150- and 180hp forms) is on sale in Ireland. As long as that doesn't bother you, go right ahead.

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Hi Aidan,

To be honest, the hard part is going to be finding an automatic car that's within your budget. I'd say hold out for a Honda, purely on reliability, but any of the usual Focus-Golf-Astra-Corolla types should be fine as long as you get something with decent history.

Hope that helps

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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

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Hi Louie,

It depends which Stream you mean. If you mean the Stream sold here in Ireland between 2001 and 2005, then you’re looking at €544 a year. If it’s a more recent Japanese import model then you’ll have to get the CO₂ figure for the specific model that you’re looking at, but as far as I am aware they hover around the 150g/km of CO₂ mark, so will cost €390 a year to tax.

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Hi Seamus,

A Mondeo 2.0 TDCi is, frankly, a great choice - spacious, comfy, well made and superb for that kind of long-haul journey. Just as a suggestion though, it may be worth coming down a class and having a look around, just as a way of potentially keeping your running costs as low as possible. Perhaps a Honda Civic diesel or a Skoda Octavia TDI? Both are massively spacious (so would carry your height with plenty of space behind for baby seats etc.), but would also be a little cheaper to run than the Mondeo, and almost as comfy on the long haul. Worth a thought, but if you fancy the Mondeo, go for it. Buy one with a full service history and you won't go wrong.

Let us know which way you go in the comments below.

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Hi Trevor,

It'd suggest a Nissan Qashqai, or if you need something a little bigger on the inside, perhaps a last-gen Honda CR-V. As a matter of fact, I have elderly relatives with a CR-V and they report no issues with getting in and out, and it's an especially comfy car on the move. Actually, with the Honda brand in mind, if you need something a little bit smaller than either of those, but still with a slightly higher seating position, try a Honda Jazz – not only are the seats quite high up, but the doors open particularly wide, making it easier to get in and out. As always, try thoroughly before you buy and don't be afraid to ask sales people for some help and advice – the best ones will be more than happy to help you.

Let us know how you get on in the comments below

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Hi Peter,

You're really comparing two quite different cars here. The Auris is a larger car than the Jazz, which is really more of a rival to the Ford Fiesta. Which means that the Auris is going to be more comfy and refined over a long distance, but if you're sticking mostly around town, go for the Jazz. There are no reports of the Auris' stop-start system causing any issues, but the Auris has been generating reports of problems with squeaky front brakes, slipping handbrakes and noisy gearboxes.

The Jazz, by contrast has generated no repeating fault reports and Hondas are usually incredibly reliable. Yes, parts can be a bit pricey for them (the Toyota would be cheaper to service and repair), but so few things go wrong that you probably won't need to spend much. Go for the Jazz so - it's sweeter to drive, has a cleverer interior and will probably prove more reliable.

Hope that helps

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Hi Deen,

The CR-V is best of the bunch on both counts, as long as you go for the 2.2 CDTi diesel versions. The last-gen model of CR-V is the best one to go for (2007 to 2012) and it feels properly premium inside too. HR-V is just a bit too cheap and tinny in our opinions. RAV4 is a touch crude and noisy until the current (and rather excellent) current generation model was launched.

Hope that helps you