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Hi Shane,

There's a huge variation in Mondeo prices out there, but the price seems to be mostly driven by condition and history, not mileage. After all, any 10-year old car, especially a diesel one designed for high-mileage business drivers, is going to be nudging up over 100,000 miles by now. The most expensive ones seem to be hovering around the €3-3,500 mark, but whether these are genuine prices or just sellers deluding themselves is hard to tell. At the other end of the scale, we found a private sale one with 147,000 miles on the clock for just €1,500 but we'd tread carefully there. If you're looking to buy one, budget for around €2,700 to get something really good, and you may be able to haggle lower than that.

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Hi Dawn,

Going on personal experience, I'd say that the C4 Picasso would be the most economical of the bunch. All of them should be able to get between 45-50mpg, and I'd say the C4 should just nudge above 50mpg. That said, you have to remember that what dictates fuel economy more than the car is your driving style. Practice driving with light throttle openings, anticipating further ahead and always using gentle control inputs and you should be able to get that economy figure improved. Also, take any excess weight out of the car, make sure the engine is serviced regularly and the oil changed often and get a good set of low-rolling resistance tyres, and keep them at the right pressure. It all helps.

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Hi Alan,

Actually a really good car, that. Not as sophisticated as the later, more stylish Sportage, but fine to drive, more rugged than you’d think and actually surprisingly capable off-road. Fuel economy will be a bit steep compared to a more modern car (you’ll get around 35mpg on average) and the cabin is nothing to write home about, but it’s hugely reliable and, if it has a full Kia service history, should continue to be so.

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Hi Dawn,

Nissan quoted a combined consumption value of 5.4 litres/100km (52.3mpg) and we'd expect most drivers to get in excess of 40mpg (7.1 litres/100km) so long as all journeys aren't in stop-start traffic.

Hope that helps

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Hi Breda,

Well, on the one hand, both the Aygo and the Auris are very well built and reliable so both will minimise any potential for expensive maintenance costs, and both are very frugal and economical, so either would be a fine choice. The Auris might be a bit more of a painless switch if you've been used to a Golf, as it's similar in size and comfort levels.

But, as you say that your journeys have decreased in length, switching cars may not actually save you any money. Changing cars is usually more expensive than maintaining and running an older car, and you need to sit down and do your sums very, very carefully. Work out what the actual cost of change is for you (the price of either car you are considering minus the trade-in value of your Golf, but including the cost of finance) and balance that against the cost of continuing to run and fuel your existing car, factoring in some cash for a good service and a new set of tyres (often the best way to improve your fuel economy).

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Hi Dawn,

The problem here is that you need space for three child seats across the back, and it's getting harder and harder to find a car that can accommodate that. The Qashqai is a fab car, no doubt, but yes, unless it's the 1.5 dCi diesel model you're talking about, they can indeed be hard on petrol. Besides, it will also fall down on the three-across-the-back test. The Xsara Picasso should be able to manage three across though, so is the best suggestion out of the ones you've been looking at, but here's another possibility: if you're looking for space on a budget, try going for a van-based MPV such as a Citroen Berlingo or Renault Kangoo. They're surprisingly nice to drive, have masses of space both in the back and boot, and both can be found with 1.4-litre petrol or 1.5- or 1.6-litre diesel engines so tax and, generally, fuel economy shouldn't be an issue. Also, being van-based, they're often more reliable and ruggedly built than their car cousins.

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Hi Morgan,

Can't go wrong with either of those, to be fair. The Golf is classier, the Focus slightly better to drive and a bit more affordable. Also consider the SEAT Leon (same as a Golf but a bit cheaper to buy, incredibly solid and reliable) or the excellent Kia cee'd.

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Hi Donie,

It's a pretty new design, the A7, and Audi has an enviable reputation for build quality, so if there are any recurrent problems, they haven't come to light yet. That 3.0-litre diesel engine is a proven design, and doesn't seem to give much trouble in the other models it does service in, so we wouldn't expect many issues. That said, as always with a premium brand car, the A7 is massively complex and high-tech, so if there's not a full and proper Audi service history, walk away. Lack of proper maintenance on a car like this is a sure sign of future problems.

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Hi Mairead,

Typically for a Hyundai, there are no major problems to report with a Tucson. Just tread slightly carefully, as they were popular with hard working types such as builders etc. and many have lived hard lives as beasts of burden, so be alert for signs of excessive wear and tear. Otherwise, just make the usual checks for history and condition and you should be OK.

As for fuel consumption, you're dealing with both an older-tech engine (that 2.0-litre has since been replaced by Hyundai's new 1.7 diesel) and a tall-ish, heavy-ish SUV body. So you're probably looking at around 35-45mpg, rather than the 45-55mpg you'd expect from a newer model.

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Hi Kevin,

It depends. Are you talking about the older model of Sharan, the one that was shared with the old Ford Galaxy? If so, then it’s simply down to the fact that, at the time, automatic gearbox technology was not as advanced, and they tended to be more thirsty than an equivalent manual gearbox.

If it’s the newer model you’re talking about (the current-shape one, with sliding side doors) then it could be that the DSG automatic needs servicing. It requires more intensive care and attention than a manual gearbox, and if it’s left alone it can malfunction, which could affect economy.