Expert answer

Hi Ted,

Well, it’s a little hard to say. You haven’t given me a year for your Focus 1.8, but assuming it’s a 2009 model then I’d take a stab at it being worth around €6,000 as a trade in. However, it’s impossible for us to predict how much a dealer is going to offer you against a specific car – it depends how much they have invested in the sale of that car, and how many other cars similar to your own that they already have on their lot.

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Hi Colin,

It depends which models you mean. I presume you’re looking at an Audi A3 and a Volkswagen Golf, which share a 1.6-litre diesel engine. On the base model of both cars, the quoted CO₂ figure is exactly the same – 99g/km. It could be that you’re looking at an A3 Saloon, which,  with the optional 18-inch alloy wheels, has a CO₂ figure of 109g/km, or possibly even the A3 Saloon quattro 1.6 TDI on 18s, which has a whopping (in comparison) figure of 130g/km. Extra equipment (or indeed a complete four-wheel drive system) and bigger wheels all have an effect on consumption and therefore emissions, you see...

Expert answer

Hi Ben,

Well, you can always haggle more and if the dealer isn’t budging, then simply shop around. There are plenty of examples of the C-Max out there to choose from, so don’t get hung up on just the one car if you feel like you’re not getting a good deal. While that does seem like a fair enough price, €17k is top end for a 2012 C-Max, so it had better (a) be perfect, (b) have a full service history and (c) come with a decent warranty.

As for the B-Max, yes there’s quite a big difference. The B-Maxis based on the Fiesta, the C-Max on the Focus so you can see from just that fact that the levels of space on the inside and in the boot are significantly different. Plus the C-Max is a far more comfortable car on a long journey than the B-Max, which can also be sluggish to drive as those sliding doors are actually pretty heavy for such a small car.

As for other cars worth looking at (and I’m assuming you mean against the five-seat C-Max, not the seven-seat Grand C-Max), the Volkswagen Golf Plus offers lots of space and plenty of comfort, as does the five-seat version of the Citroen C4 Picasso.

Here are a few reviews to help you decide:

Ford C-Max review

Ford B-Max review

Citroen C4 Picasso review

Expert answer

Hi Cyril,

There are a few advertised ‘trick' fuel additives such as STP or Dipetane that promise to reduce the emissions from the engine, but these are at best unproven and at worst utter snake oil. Your best bet is simply to get the car thoroughly serviced and tuned up and make sure it’s running on high-quality petrol or diesel bought from a reputable source. 

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Hi Paul,

It’s fine, but you’ll probably find the CO₂ emissions a touch high – it was generally from a time before car makers got really serious on CO₂ so with 146g/km it’s a bit more expensive to tax than newer models.

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

It's more important to look at the condition than the mileage, really. If all of those miles were on the motorway, if it's shiny and fresh-looking and there's a service book full of nice dealer stamps then it should be fine. 

Expert answer

Hi Oliver,

Actually, it's really good. True, not the fastest car in history, but peppier than you'd expect, smooth and very economical. Actually suits the car rather well, but if you're doing low mileage, have a look at a C 180 petrol model, which uses a 1.6 turbo petrol engine. Well worth checking out. 

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Hi Joe,

A hugely underrated car, the S80. Big, comfy and mostly very reliable. As ever with something that started out in life as an expensive model, don’t buy anything without a full service history and check carefully for any electrical gremlins. They’re also sensitive to knocked-about suspension, so check the tyres carefully for any uneven wear and tear. Other than that, reliability is pretty decent. The bigger diesel engines can be expensive to run, but if you go for the 1.6 diesel you’ll have a car that’s really frugal and not all that under-powered.

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Hi Larry,

The seven-speed DSG automatic works very well with the 2.0-litre TDI engine. Around town and in traffic is makes driving relaxed and easy while the long top gear means the engine revs remain low on longer motorway journeys. In fact, the noise insulation in the new Tiguan is very good and you'd almost forget that you're driving a diesel.

I also drove the manual version, and to be fair it drive very well too. If you can afford the price jump to get the DSG automatic though I would recommend it. 

Read our Volkswagen Tiguan review in full

Expert answer

Hi there,

Right, I'll be honest - we had to get on to Nissan Ireland for help with this, but it came through in spades.

Over and above the SV model, the SVE added Xenon headlights, Intelligent Key, illuminated passenger sunvisor, seven-speaker BOSE audio system, 17-inch alloys and rear parking sensors.

The engine has a timing chain, not a belt, so it doesn't need replacement,  but it does need to be inspected at regular intervals. Any Qashqai with a full service history should be fine on that score.

In terms of economy, the 1.6 petrol Qashqai got 44mpg overall while the 1.6 diesel got 55mpg, or 60mpg if it was fitted with the stop-start system.

Hope that all helps