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Hi Mervyn,

Generally speaking, most car makers design major parts such as engine heads, blocks etc. for a life of around 400,000 to 500,000km. That said, if you look after the car properly, keep it serviced and be prepared to spend the cash to replace major components from time to time, the total life is essentially unlimited. It’s all down to the care the car gets a lot of the time.

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Hi Mary,

First off, no you're not crazy. The Clubman is a terrific little car and I actually own one myself. It's more practical than you might think and much more distinctive and different than the standard MINI Hatch. Secondly, on the alloys - blistering could mean that the paint finish is peeling off or that the metal underneath is starting to corrode. It may be that you could simply sand down the bubbles and have the wheels resprayed, or you may need to budget for some replacement wheels.

The only major mechanical issue is a recurrent gearbox problem that can lead to failure and replacement. As long as it shifts gear cleanly, you should be OK. Don't worry if the shift feels heavy, as they are supposed to feel like that. 

Other problems are persistent interior rattles, issues with the stop-start system and a windscreen that seems to be peculiarly prone to cracks and chips. No issues with the timing belt as long as the service history is up to date.

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Hi Eamonn,

MPV means Multi Purpose Vehicle. Some refer to it as a people carrier too.

HDi is a PSA (Peugeot/Citroen) brand name for diesel engines. It stands for High pressure Direct Injection.

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Hi Niall,

Depends. Do you need lots of space in the back seats and boot? If so, go for the Merc, as it's the most practical car in the class by miles. It's also massively comfy and surprisingly spirited to drive. 

But, if space is not such a priority, go for the Jag. It's gorgeous to look at and simply stunning to drive with a sense of precision and feedback that most other cars have given up on. The 2.2d diesel is fine but if you can afford it the 3.0D S is a gem.

Let us know if we can be of further assistance.

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Hi Brian,

Well, when you say 'super car' that would suggest that money is no object so...

Your choice is slightly limited as there aren't yet any full-on mid-engined diesel supercars, but there are three German powerhouses in the shape of the BMW 640d Gran Coupé, the Audi A7 3.0 TDI Bi-Turbo and the Porsche Panamera Diesel. (There's also the new Maserati Quattroporte diesel, but it pales in the power and torque race a bit.)

Of those the BMW is the best - frugal and well under the 225g/km limit but damn near as quick point to point as an M5. 

If budget is an issue, just grab yourself an E60 BMW 535d. Wheelspin in third gear in that one...

Come back to us if you'd like help narrowing it down a little

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Hi Paddy,

I have a bit of a soft spot for Saabs in general, but would advise some caution here. That generation 9-3 suffered from a chassis that aged very badly relative to the competition and to be blunt, a Ford Mondeo will drive rings around it. There's also not a lot of space in the back seats. 

On the upside, the 1.9 diesel (a Fiat-General Motors unit) is a good 'un - noisy but very economical and, being a Saab, it's both refreshingly different to other cars, superbly comfy and well able to deal with the rigours of an Irish winter.

Hope that's of some help

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Hi Peter,

Electrical problems seem to be the big issue. Make sure that everything, absolutely everything works properly. Alarms can go on the fritz too, going off for no reason. Clutches, diesel particulate filters and boot water seals can also go, so keep an eye out for those.

Hope that helps

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Hi Deen,

The CR-V is best of the bunch on both counts, as long as you go for the 2.2 CDTi diesel versions. The last-gen model of CR-V is the best one to go for (2007 to 2012) and it feels properly premium inside too. HR-V is just a bit too cheap and tinny in our opinions. RAV4 is a touch crude and noisy until the current (and rather excellent) current generation model was launched.

Hope that helps you

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Hi Brian,

Yes it is. All CR-Vs up to the latest 1.6 diesel have had four-wheel drive only. The latest 1.6 is the first offered with front-wheel drive only.

Best of luck with your purchase.

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Hi Tara,

Well none of the above. Not really at any rate.

Early build (i.e. 2000-2001) MINIs had some issues with fuel pumps, but other than that they suffer from no major repetitive reliability problems. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve on the 1.6 diesel can be a weak point but other than that, as long as you keep it serviced on the button, you shouldn't have any problems. 

Fuel consumption is only a problem if you go for an early, supercharged Cooper S. Regular 1.6 Coopers should easily do 40mpg and I have personal experience of the fact that a 1.6 diesel Cooper will do better than 60mpg.

As for the back thing, well, I myself suffer from a bad back and I own a MINI and can report no problems. They are a bit low slung for climbing in and out of but the seat and driving position are excellent. Try before you buy and see how it feels.