Expert answer

Hi Willy,

Lots. Want something compact? Track down a Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI 4x4. Surprisingly good off road, that one.

A little bigger you say? Well, I've got a big soft spot for the Subaru Forester, both the current and previous models. Permanent four-wheel drive, a peachy flat-four diesel and they're virtually indestructible. 

There is also the fleetingly rare Nissan Qashqai 4WD but good luck finding one if you're buying second hand.

Have a yen for something luxurious? Try a Volvo XC70. 

Of course, with all of these cars, and especially when buying second hand, make sure they're actually equipped with four-wheel drive. Most of them are sold with front-drive and a great many owners simply don't know or can't tell the difference.

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

The Qashqai is a cracking car, but the problem here is that the new, second generation Qashqai, is so much better, it makes the old one seem just a tad disappointing. On that basis, I'd go for the cee'd - it's handsome, nice to drive, well made, has a massive boot and still has four years of its warranty left to run.

Let us know what you decide either way

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Hi Pat,

You need to change it every five years, or 120,000km, whichever comes soonest.

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Hi Evelyn,

I'd suggest choosing between a Skoda Yeti or Nissan Qashqai if your budget allows - both have high h-points, or the point at which the base of the seat lies, without being so tall that you have to climb up into them. Test drive both to see which one you find the more comfortable, and it's also worth considering the Kia Sportage and Hyundai ix35 if you can find either within budget.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Bruno,

Hands up, we cannot find ground clearance data for the first gen Mercedes-Benz B-Class, but it's a lower-slung car in general than either of the other two, and with that sandwich floor construction, we'd guess it would be quite low riding. Mind you, it's worth pointing out that ride height is not the be all and end all when it comes to tackling rough roads - suspension design, layout and stiffness have a major, potentially larger part to play.

Nonetheless, of the other two, it's the Nissan that has the slightly higher ride height, 188mm plays the MINI Countryman's 163mm. Given that we've nothing but praise for the new Qashqai's brilliant twin-chamber shock absorbers and silky-smooth suspension, we'd say it's probably the best bet for what you need.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Elizabeth,

The short answer is the Qashqai. Both the Nissans will be more reliable than the Peugeot (certainly according to the respective JD Power ratings of those brands) even if Peugeot's quality and reliability levels have dramatically improved in recent years. The Juke is a smaller, niche-ier vehicle than the Qashqai, which has been ragingly popular since it was launched, and lives smack in the middle of the ever-popular family car market, so it's the bigger Nissan that will hold its value the best.

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Hi Lizzy,

Well, for a start, you're looking at two different segments here. The 3008 and Qashqai are much larger than the Juke, which is really quite a small car, especially on the inside. So, if you're regularly carrying large people or large loads, then I'd cross that one off your list. It's a little hard to say exactly how reliable any car is, but a good indicator is the result of the JD Power customer satisfaction survey. The most recent one, done in the UK last year, showed that Nissan was in the top ten for reliability and satisfaction while Peugeot finished in the bottom four.

Take from that what you will.

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Hi Martin,

I'd say you're looking at a trade-in value of between €5-6,000.

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Hi Jemima,

It really depends on which model you're talking about. Assuming it's the all-new Qashqai launched this year, the 1.5-litre dCi diesel are in Band A2, costing just €180 per year to tax; the 1.6-litre diesel (manual or automatic) is in Band A4 at €200 per year; while the 4x4 Qashqai with the 1.6-litre diesel is in Band B1, costing €270 per year. The 1.2-litre petrol versions are also in Band B1.

Hope that's of some help

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Hi Helena,

I presume you mean the diesel versions of both cars? If so, according to the official figures, a Qashqai 1.5 dCi diesel will return 54.3mpg on average, while a Corolla Verso 2.2 D-4D will return 44.8mpg.

Hope that helps