Expert answer

Hi Myra,

You should be paying anything from as little as €8,000 to as much as €15,000 depending on condition, mileage and history. As for reliability; are you kidding? It's a Lexus and about as likely to break as a sundial.

All we would say is that, as with any modern premium-brand car, there are a lot of complex systems under there that all need to be properly cared for, so if you don't see a full set of authorised Lexus dealer stamps in the service book, run, don't walk, away.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

With that kind of criteria, and if you’ve driven your wife’s Prius and liked it, I’m minded to recommend the Lexus. The hybrid systems are related (although of course the Lexus is considerably more powerful and sporty), it’s well-equipped (most of what you want is on the standard equipment list) and with mileage of 10,000km a year, it should be just about ideal. Plus, it’s unbreakably reliable.

Here are a few reviews that might interest you:

Lexus IS 300h review

BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo review

Volvo V40 review

Expert answer

Hi Aleksandrs,

The most common fault with the RX 400h, as with any hybrid, is that the fuel economy won't be half as good as you think it will. The last RX model we tested returned just 29mpg overall, a figure we've equalled in both a Land Rover Discovery 3.0 diesel and a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S!

That apart, they're incredibly solidly built, as are pretty much all Lexus models. The high-tech in-car entertainment system, with its touch-screen controller, can throw up an occasional glitch but the only other serious concern lies in the hybrid electric drivetrain. Generally, it's totally reliable but we have heard of an occasional one having an AC/DC power convertor fail, which is a massively expensive job to fix if it does go wrong. As we say, it seems to be an isolated problem but one worth bearing in mind.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi Chris,

Very, very reliable. Lexus simply does not make unreliable cars, but obviously with a car coming up to its tenth birthday you’ll want to give it a good check-over, and don’t buy anything that doesn’t come with a full and complete service history.

Expert answer

Hi Liam,

Wow, you're 24 and thinking of a Honda Accord? I thought all you young 'uns wanted Citroen Saxos or Civics? Well, frankly, I don't think I can recommend a better car than the Accord. They're comfy, refined, spacious and utterly reliable. Just watch the insurance rating as the smallest possible engine is 1.8-litre and that could really crank up your premium.

Again, the Lexus IS is a good choice with solid reliability and a playful rear-drive chassis thrown into the bargain. €15,000 gets you into the current model (just about to be replaced actually) easily enough, and the 2.2-litre diesel engine is the one to go for - it's punchy and frugal.

Let us know if you'd like other suggestions.

Expert answer

Hi Tony,

Lexus offers a five-year warranty on the battery, but a spokesperson confirmed to us that they expect the battery to last the lifetime of the vehicle.

Hope that reassures you

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

According to the official figures, the comparison in terms of combined fuel economy is this: the 520i gets 28.8mpg, the 525d gets 36.2mpg and the Lexus IS 250 gets 31.0mpg. A clear win for the diesel 5 Series there, but it's worth remembering that these figures are taken from laboratory samples and you may have to knock off as much as 25% to get the real-world driving figure.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

Your Lexus is probably going to be worth around €5-7,000 as a trade-in, depending on the condition and service history. The Q5 has a 540-litre boot, so it’ll be a touch smaller than what you’re used to, but still pretty roomy.

Expert answer

Hi Adrian,

I'm afraid so. Quoting from the NCT manual:

"Ensure the malfunction indicators for Airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Electronic Braking System (EBS) / Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and Parking Brake malfunction indicator are in working order."

"ITEM: Malfunction Indicators for Airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS/Electronic Braking System (EBS) and Parking Brake."

"REASONS FOR FAILURE: Not working or indicates a defect in the relevant system."

You'll need to get that looked at I'm afraid.

Expert answer

Hi Enda,

Despite the premium image, the Lexus IS isn't all that bad. Servicing rates are generally cheaper than other premium brands, which helps offset more regular service intervals. It's also a highly reliable model, so you should only be paying for routine maintenance. It's not too bad on fuel either considering.

Hope that helps