Expert answer

Hi Dermot,

This doesn't appear to be very good value to us. Even though your Passat is probably only worth €1,000 or so to the dealer, the mileage of the Santa Fe is above average and the price is therefore quite optimistic - though clearly the service, tyres and NCT make it considerable more appealing.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Joseph,

The Hyundai offers more for the money in terms of comfort, space and equipment, but the Polo is much better suited to learning to drive. Its lower mileage is appealing too, though the i30 is a relatively reliable car. Along with all that the Polo will be cheaper to run.

Best to take a close look at both for yourself though, as you might prefer the Hyundai.

Expert answer

Hi Aidan,

Without knowing your budget and what your needs with regards to towing etc. are it's difficult to give a precise answer, but as a starting point, and in alphabetical order:

None of Audi's Q models are really suited to heavy off-road work, though the Q5 and Q7 are fine towing machines. Not that you'll find a Q7 with a manual gearbox.

Same story with BMW's X models. Fine for towing. You'll have to seek out an older X5 if you want a manual transmission though.

Citroen C-Crosser, Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V, Hyundai ix35: fine road cars.

Hyundai Santa Fe: depending on age and spec can be quite good off-road and as a tow car.

Hyundai Terracan: horrible beast of a thing, but it is big...

Hyundai Tucson: more car-like than most 4x4s.

Isuzu Trooper: hard as nails, durable workhorse.

Jeep Cherokee: good workhorse, but raucous on the road.

Jeep Compass: really not that great on the road despite its 'crossover' image.

Jeep Grand Cherokee: surprisingly good depending on age.

Jeep Patriot: a Compass with more upright bodywork...

Jeep Wrangler: tough, great off-road, but not so good on it.

Kia Sorento: first generation a tough tow car; latest more road-biased.

Kia Sportage: fine road car - especially the latest one.

Land Rover Defender: same comments as Jeep Wrangler above.

Land Rover Discovery: one of the very best all-rounders - newer versions way better.

Land Rover Freelander: good mix of on-road behaviour with all-road ability, but others at price better.

Range Rover line-up: luxurious regular model not bad off-road, Sport great to drive on-road and Evoque not really a 4x4 despite the badge.

Mazda CX-5: new SUV in the crossover mould - lovely on the road, where it should stay.

Mercedes-Benz M-Class: see BMW X5 comments.

Mitsubishi ASX/Outlander: very much road cars.

Mitsubishi L200/Pajero/Shogun: durable, strong, tough, but also rough and unrefined - proper 4x4 system though.

Nissan Navara/Pathfinder: see L200 etc. above...

Nissan Qashqai: a road car, even in 4x4 guise.

Nissan Terrano: old-school 4x4.

Nissan X-Trail: pretty good mix of attributes.

Opel Antara: road car - and not a good one.

Peugeot 4007, Renault Koleos, Skoda Yeti: just road cars.

SsangYong Actyon/Kyron/Rexton: rough and ready tow machines.

Subaru Forester: more a road car, though later one pretty good.

Subaru Outback/XV: road cars - nice ones.

Suzuki Grand Vitara: not bad as an all-rounder - relatively cheap and cheerful.

Suzuki SX4: car with 4x4 mechanicals.

Toyota Hilux/Land Cruiser: enviable reputation for toughness and reliability, though not very civilised.

Toyota RAV4: good road car, ok tow car.

Volkswagen Amarok: good all-rounder, though just a pick-up.

Volkswagen Tiguan: lovely road car, but most models so-so off-road.

Volkswagen Touareg: high quality car that's a good all-rounder.

Volvo XC60/XC90: good road cars - not for off-road.

So come back to us with more details and we'll talk you through a purchase.

Expert answer

Hi Eoin,

If your car is pre-2002 then the interval is 80,000 kilometres (50,000 miles). If it's the newer model then the interval is 112,000 kilometres (70,000 miles). In terms of time, that's five and seven years respectively.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Colin,

We would never have pitched those two cars against each other, as the 5008 has significantly more space, but if the Hyundai has enough space for you then that's not a consideration here. Both are fine cars, but we'd be swayed towards the Hyundai by its value. Not only is it cheaper than the Peugeot, it has a better specification, annual road tax is lower and it comes with a great warranty and aftercare package.

Saying all that, the 5008 would be better for a growing family...

Let us know which way you go - and why!

Expert answer

Hi Lisa,

You're better placed than us to answer that question, as it really depend on your driving style, the road conditions, how heavy traffic is, the type of road and how full the car is.

Saying all that, the official combined consumption figure for that car is 3.7 litres/100km (76.3mpg) and it has a 53-litre fuel tank. So that means 358 kilometres. The 'combined' figures can be a little misleading though, as they don't relate to the real world.

We'd estimate 250 kilometres on average for that car.

Hope that's of some help.

Expert answer

Hi Suzie,

Others to consider include the Citroen C3 and Fiat 500, Mazda2, Nissan Micra, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 207, SEAT Ibiza, Skoda Fabia and Suzuki Swift. They're all good small cars. Given your low mileage you're definitely better off with a petrol model.

I assume you know that you could afford slightly larger cars in the Ford Focus class as well with that budget, but that you don't want one that big? They'd be far more comfortable on the motorway.

With all that in mind, and sticking to your small car demand, we reckon one of the three Volkswagen Group cars makes the most sense - that's the Skoda Fabia, SEAT Ibiza or the Polo. If you'd like help narrowing down your search further come back to us.

Expert answer

Hi Noel,

There's a lot of choice out there within those restrictions and you've not given us your budget, so we'll give you a list of the cars we think are worth looking at to start with and you can come back to us if you'd like help narrowing the search:

1. Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi
2. Hyundai i30 1.6 diesel
3. Kia cee'd 1.6 diesel
4. Mazda3 1.6 diesel
5. Nissan Note 1.5 diesel
6. Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel
7. Peugeot 207 1.4 HDi
8. Peugeot 308 1.6 HDi
9. Toyota Auris 1.4 D4-D

The Volkswagen Polo and Golf and the Skoda Octavia are other considerations, though the 1.6 TDI engine was not introduced until 2010.

Let us know what you think

Expert answer

Hi James,

Come back to us with the asking price of that Opel if you want a more precise answer, but your Hyundai is worth in the region of €4,500. A trader may offer a good deal less however.

Let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

With those options in front of us and no clue to each car's mileage and condition then we'd say there's a strong case for the Mazda6. It's significantly more spacious than all the other cars you listed for a start. That 2.0-litre diesel engine has plenty of grunt and is relatively economical, while the Mazda6 has a great reputation for reliability.

Hope that's of help