Expert answer

Hi Tara,

I'd actually go for the Ibiza. The interior is nicer and the reliability prospects are better.

Expert answer

Hi Sinead,

Needing to fit three car seats but not wanting an MPV is a difficult juggling act. Normally I'd recommend something like a Ford S-Max, which ticks all your boxes and, while its an MPV right enough, it's an uncommonly sleek and good looking one. 

A good non-MPV option is the Opel Insignia Sports Tourer estate. Sleek and lovely to drive, it comes with the required three Isofix mounts and a big boot too for all the kiddy clutter. Easily as classy inside as your old Audi too.

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

That doesn't sound related to a timing belt problem. A timing belt can either break altogether (potentially causing very expensive engine damage), in which case the engine would not run at all, or it could slip causing the engine to, at best, run poorly all of the time.

Best bet is to bring your car to a good mechanic for a look but it could be as simple as a dirty air filter or bad fuel, neither of which would automatically cause a warning light to come on.

Let us know how you get on 

Expert answer

Hi Gerry,

It's very difficult to assess such things from afar I'm afraid. It could be any number of things. Basically it comes down to spark, fuel and air, but of course, electronics also come into it, so a sensor could be faulty as well. The best bet is to bring the car to a good local mechanic to have a look.

Hope you get it sorted soon.

Expert answer

Hi Cormac,

Yes, and the Insignia is also lovely to drive and really quite classy. It may not be quite so robustly reliable as an Octavia though. But if you buy with a full service history and look after it properly it shouldn't give any major trouble.

Expert answer

Hi Joan,

It's a bit of a quandary to be honest. You'll get more for the Ibiza - probably around €7-8k as a trade in. But with the Toledo costing you money, your best bet might just be to keep the Ibiza and use that as your small car, chop the Toledo in for whatever you can get for it (€2k max and that's with a following wind).

Actually, better yet, why not avail of one of the scrappage schemes still being offered by some car makers? Opel, for instance, has a good one going - up to €4,500 - and you could then trade in your Toledo against a new Insignia; far more affordable than a BMW or Audi, and with a shiny new warranty to boot. Reliable and nice to drive too. Nissan also has a similar offer (potentially €4k against a nice new Qashqai perhaps?), or potentially €3k scrappage off a Hyundai ix35?

Lots of good options out there.

Expert answer

Hi Cyril,

They do suffer occasional electrical glitches, so check and make sure all the buttons work, especially the central locking system. Check also that the boot seals are working properly and that the carpet in the boot and under the back seats isn't getting damp or wet.

Expert answer

Hi Barry,

OK, all are good, solid choices and in terms of reliability, I'd rate them as Accord the best, the Volkswagen slightly behind and the Ford and Opel together, slightly behind the Volkswagen. The Ford would be the most fun to drive, the Volkswagen probably had the nicest interior but the Opel is arguably the most handsome and, as you point out, really very good to drive. If it were me, I'd go for the Accord - no question. It'll be the most reliable and that sells it for me.

Expert answer

Hi Moza,

Simple - lots of them about, and they were replaced by a much better, more desirable model (the Insignia). Besides, the youngest possible Vectra is now seven years old, and family-size saloons are not known for holding on to their value. A 50 per cent retained value after just three years is a rarity in that class.

Expert answer

Hi Amanda,

You may get lower labour rates at an independent garage, but we rang an Opel dealer to get a starting point. If it's the front crankshaft oil seal then it'll be about €170 (1.5 hours), but the rear seal is much more expensive to replace as the gearbox needs to be taken out and put back in, which is estimated at 5.5 hours of work. That costs about €580.

In both cases, those prices include VAT, labour and parts, but there might be a small bit more to cover topping up the oil.