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Hi Michael,

I think your best bet then is to go for the Golf. As long as you are buying 2004 or newer (and I presume you're in the market for much newer than that), you'll be getting a car that feels barely, if any, less well made than your Merc, and as long as you go for a 1.6 or 1.9 TDI diesel, you'll have a compact hatch with the sort of performance, refinement and economy to mix it with even the best luxury cars. Depreciation? Well, everything depreciates but the Golf is perennially in demand so you shouldn't have any trouble shifting it on.

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Hi Adam,

Yes on all counts I'd say. That V6 diesel engine is a proven Merc unit and in a lightweight car like the CLS, it's spectacularly under-stressed. Watch for white smoke from the exhaust though, as that could indicate a knackered turbo, but other than that as long as it has a full Merc service history (complex car, remember) then you should be fine. Keep an eye on the frameless door glass to make sure it's sealing properly against leaks too.

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Hi Gerard,

Sadly probably not. That generation of E-Class had a litany of build quality and reliability issues, so much so that Mercedes had to offer 10-year warranties on certain parts to keep disgruntled customers happy. If you get a good one, they're fine but it's a bit of a lottery. 

You'd probably be better going for an older model E-Class or, if you want genuine five-year solidity, do what we always recommend to those seeking reliability and buy Japanese.

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Hi Jack,

Actually, the 300C is really well built. The European market cars were built under licence in Austria and under the skin it's essentially a 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, so all the components are rock-solid, especially the 3.0-litre diesel engine. Where you need to be careful is in making sure it's been looked after. There are a lot of complicated electronic bits and you need to see a full service history with a car like this, as neglect will lead to problems very quickly. If there's no, or patchy, history, walk away. Also, a good few 300Cs saw service as taxis so beware of abused and damaged interiors or knackered suspension.

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Hi David,

Skoda all the way. It may not have the prestige of the others but it'll do them for reliability, space and practicality.

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Hi Darragh,

Well, there's both good news and bad news. The good news is that the W124 is from an era when Merc built its cars properly, so they're as rugged as the day is long. 

The downside is that this is now a very old car so literally anything can be wrong with it. Ignore any sewing-machine noises coming from the engine - that's just a classic Merc trait and nothing to worry about. Blue smoke from the exhaust is bad news though and could be the piston rings on the way out. If it's an auto then check to make sure there's no hesitation selecting a gear or kicking down. The cabin should stand up to wear and tear pretty well, and there's not much in the way of complex electronics to go wrong but check all the internal systems, like dials, air conditioning and electric windows, to make sure they're in good health. 

With an older car like this, it's always a good idea to get in touch with the owners' club who will be a font of advice and help.

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Hi Willie,

Generally speaking, the S-Class rides imperiously over any concerns as meek as reliability issues. Which is another way of saying that they're very solidly built. But, they are hugely complex cars with more wiring and computer power than most space craft (that's not an exaggeration either) so make absolutely certain that every button and switch works properly. It's a mammoth task, so we'd recommend bringing some expert help along on the day, or buying a car that comes under Mercedes' own approved used programme.

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Hi Amanda,

Pretty good, but all Mercedes models of that era suffered major problems with the electrical systems (especially the instrument displays) and some braking issues too. It's a complex car so perhaps get in touch with the Mercedes Club of Ireland to get a better handle and some friendly advice.

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Hi Nuala,

Mostly yes, they're fine. The engines and gearboxes are essentially old Mercedes-Benz items and they're pretty long lived and can rack up mega mileages. What you've got to watch for are cabin trim (which is spectacularly fragile and can often come off in your hands) and electrical gremlins. Essentially, if it's on a Rodius and its got a wire in it, it can go wrong, so check carefully to make sure that everything electric is working and budget for running repairs in the future. Expect to pay around €3,500 to €4,000 for a 2005 version, but they're pretty thin on the ground.

Hope that helps

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Hi Isobel,

Yes it is, noticeably so. The biggest difference is that the sloping roof of the CLA means adults have to really duck down to get in the door. It feels cramped in truth.

Best thing to do is to go to a Mercedes-Benz dealer for yourself and try it out.