Expert answer

Hi Liam,

Wow, you're 24 and thinking of a Honda Accord? I thought all you young 'uns wanted Citroen Saxos or Civics? Well, frankly, I don't think I can recommend a better car than the Accord. They're comfy, refined, spacious and utterly reliable. Just watch the insurance rating as the smallest possible engine is 1.8-litre and that could really crank up your premium.

Again, the Lexus IS is a good choice with solid reliability and a playful rear-drive chassis thrown into the bargain. €15,000 gets you into the current model (just about to be replaced actually) easily enough, and the 2.2-litre diesel engine is the one to go for - it's punchy and frugal.

Let us know if you'd like other suggestions.

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Hi James,

Actually, you mentioned the Ford C-Max there and, while we criticised it when new for not being exciting enough, it's a pretty canny secondhand buy, with good build quality and excellent economy as long as you go for the 1.6 TDCi diesel.

If it's a full-size seven-seater you want then your €8k budget will easily get you into a SEAT Alhambra seven-seater. It's the old shape model, so you won't get fold-flat rear seats, but the 1.9-litre TDI diesel engine is both frugal and largely unburstable.

Finally there's the good old Opel Zafira. Ever popular, it's not the most refined or sophisticated but the 1.9 CDTi diesel engine is frugal and the interior is hugely flexible and adaptable.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi John,

Interestingly, you haven't given us a budget to work with here, so that means a whole world of possibilities looked to be opening up, and then you hit us with the sub-2.0 clause, which instantly shut them down again.

So how about these for some suggestions:

Kia Sportage: you'll get a 2.0-litre diesel 4x4 auto for €35k and it's as stylish and good to drive as you could wish for.

Want something a bit more premium? How about an Audi Q3? Very stylish, but a bit more pricey. €41k gets you a 2.0 TDI quattro.

Finally there's the new Ford Kuga. Bigger and more practical than either of the other two mentioned, you'll pay €43k for a 2.0 TDCi diesel with Powershift auto.

What do you think?

Expert answer

Hi Catherine,

A rough estimate of your C4's value should give you a budget of around €12,000 (and you might even do a bit better than that if you're lucky). Even at that level though, there is a plethora of cars matching your description out there. How about we start with something really classy? A BMW 316i maybe? Plenty out there, all priced around €11k and the 1.6-litre engine means reasonable tax and fuel economy even though it's a petrol engine.

Or you might need something a bit more spacious and economical. So we found a Citroen C5 Tourer estate with the 1.6-litre HDi diesel engine. It's a 2008 model so you'll be on the new CO₂-based tax system, it's massive inside and very comfy. Well built too.

Finally, you might fancy something a bit more compact and cheaper to run, and that budget opens up a world of Ford Focus saloons and estates with either the 1.6-litre petrol or 1.8 diesel engines. Simple, spacious, reliable and plentiful, you won't go wrong with that one.

WHat do you think?

Expert answer

Hi Lisa,

Well, there is the obvious recommendation of a Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi, but a €7,000 budget won't, sadly, get you into a post-2008 car, so you'll be paying a higher rate of annual motor tax. 

So here's a less obvious recommendation: an Opel Astra 1.3 CDTi. It's not the fastest car in the world, but it should prove very economical, it's well built, comfy, spacious and even has a decent boot. Best of all 130g/km emissions mean you'll pay a reasonable €270 a year to tax it.

What do you think?

Expert answer

Hi Ed,

Do you mean a Jaguar XF? The XK was the fast V8 coupe, and never had a diesel engine. If it is the XF, then they’re pretty solid cars. The diesel engine needs careful checking to make sure that the diesel particulate filter is working properly, and that the cam belt has been changed every 160,000km. Also listen for clonking suspension and check for cracked alloys, and make sure all the electrics are working properly. If it has a full service, then it should be fine.

As for the Merc, that generation of E-Class was very badly built, and you need to check and make sure that it’s been back in for all its ‘service recalls.’ Check for leaks from the transmission and the radiator, and the air mass sensor often triggers an engine warning light. Electronics are deeply suspect, and if the car vibrates under acceleration, the gearbox could need replacing.

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

Not really, no. The 1.9 TDI did get a minor reputation for having con-rod problems, but it was usually traced to another fault. Generally what happens is that a problem with the diesel particulate filter causes the engine management system to add too much fuel to the engine on start-up, which starts to thin out the oil, which then causes problems. There was another recurring issue with the air mass sensor, but that’s usually pretty easily remedied. Other than that, the old 1.9 TDI seems to be a pretty robust engine.

Expert answer

Hi Geraldine,

Updated answer:

In 2015, Ford gave the Focus a major update, with new styling (check out that Aston-Martin-esque grille at the front) and an upgraded interior (new dials, fewer buttons and the option of the big, bright SYNC2 touch-screen system). The trim levels remained the same - Focus, Style, Zetec, Zetec + and Titanium with the range topped off by the sporting ST model.

Standard equipment on Focus models includes tyre pressure monitors, emergency brake assist, hill-holder clutch, 'MyKey' (which restricts speed, distance and stereo settings for the spare key - good if you have teenagers in the house), front electric windows, capless fuel filler, steering wheel stereo controls, height adjustable drivers' seat and split-folding rear seats.

Style adds a USB connection and Ford's SYNC connectivity for the stereo, manual air conditioning, body coloured door handles and power mirrors, 16-inch alloys, leather steering wheel and gear shifter and map pockets in the back of the seats.

Zetec models get front fog lights, lower, Sports suspension, a heated windscreen, sportier seats and an upgraded centre console.

Zetec + adds keyless start, drive lumbar support, 17-inch alloys, LED rear lights and a 'premium' centre console with a sliding arm-rest.

Titanium gets the same keyless start but adds dual-zone climate control, cruise control with speed limiter, all-round power windows, mesh radiators grille, an 'overhead console' with a sunglasses holder and integrated reading lights, velour upholstery, rear cup holders and ambient lighting.

ST models get all of that plus some extra sporty bits and seriously tweaked suspension and steering, while the current limited Black Edition and Red Edition come with manual air conditioning, curtain airbags, red stitching everywhere, scuff plates and exterior bodykit, acoustic windscreen and metallic pedal covers. 

Original answer:

Ford doesn't actually make an LX Focus any more. Instead, the basic Focus model is now just known as plain old Focus, and it comes with a CD player, USB connection, electric front windows and door mirrors, remote central locking, electronic stability control and, on the five-door hatch, a rear spoiler.

Next up is the Edge model, which adds air conditioning, a 3.5-inch colour display for the stereo, a leather steering wheel, heated mirrors, trip computer with economy driving monitor and body coloured door handles. Then there's the Zetec, which, over and above the Edge gets 16-inch alloy wheels, Quickclear windscreen, centre arm rest with stowage box and 12v plug, sports suspension and sportier front seats.

The Titanium takes all that and also gives you split-zone climate control, a start/stop button, cruise control, jazzier wheels (still 16-inch in diameter though), hill start assist, LED rear lights, aluminium scuff plates, footwell lights, a rear arm rest and a leather gear knob. Please bear in mind that these are current Focus model trims, and if you're looking at older models then they will be different.

Expert answer

Hi Barry,

Right, the problem here is trying to balance the budget for buying (and running) against the need for seats plus luggage space. It's a tough equation to work out, especially as the bulk of MPVs on the market are the compact seven-seat type (think Opel Zafira) and in those, once you're using all seven seats, you effectively have no boot.

Now, there are a couple of ways around this. We did find a Chrysler Grand Voyager within the €10k budget, but with a 2.7-litre diesel engine the running costs may put it out of reach. If six seats is enough we did find a Honda FR-V within the same price range, and in that you still have a big boot even when every seat is full thanks to its three-across seating layout. It's reliable too so there shouldn't be any unexpected bills.

Otherwise it's go for a conventional compact MPV, and of the ones we found on sale, you'd be hard pressed to do better than a Toyota Corolla Verso - not the most exciting, but rigorously well built and your brother could always invest in a roof box if the boot's not big enough...

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

As with any current turbodiesel model, the first thing to check is the diesel particulate filter. Drive the car at a steady 2,500rpm in fourth gear for around 16km and see if the DPF warning light goes out. If it does, all is fine. The 2.0 TDI engine needs a cambelt change every 110,000km so make absolutely sure that's been done as it's an expensive job and a total engine failure if it goes when you're driving.

If the car has the MMI infotainment system then make sure that all the functions are working, as problems are apparently hard to diagnose and expensive to fix. Check the front passenger floor mat for dampness - the air conditioning system can sometimes flood with water draining down from the windscreen and leak onto the floor. Glovebox catches and (more worryingly) seatbelt anchors are prone to wear, so check both. Watch for tracking issues on S-Line cars with sports suspension. A dull thudding noise from the front might be a worn anti-roll bar drop link too.

Hope that helps