Expert answer

Hi Jules,

You could be on to something there alright. The 9-3 is generally a pretty reliable car, although you have to watch carefully for things like engine ECU problems (if it's slow to fire up or runs sluggish then walk away) and gearbox and clutch issues. 

As for parts - there is definitely a price difference. A quick trawl of the listings over at micksgarage.ie will show you that, for instance, a replacement front wing for the 9-3 will cost you €114 whereas the same part for a contemporary BMW 3 Series will only set you back €70.  That's not the case right across the board for all parts but there is definitely a premium charged for Saab bits.

Expert answer

Hi Dermot,

Really nice car the Insignia. Good looking, nice to drive and good quality. The 2.0 CDTi 163hp diesel engine is the one to go for, although if your pockets are deep enough you could try tracking down the vanishingly rare 2.0 SRi Turbo 265hp 4x4...

If you're buying used, check everything electrical for any problems and especially check the central locking and alarm system. Check the boot too for any sign of water getting in past the rubber seals. Other than that, as long as you get one with a full service history, you should be fine.

Opel Insignia 2.0 CDTi review

Expert answer

Hi Caroline,

Wow, you really couldn't get two more different cars. The CLA Shooting Brake is a really nice car, probably the best of the A-Class spin offs and very nice to drive. But it's not especially practical, so if that's what you're looking for then it's not the right car. 

The current X-Trail is a very good car, with lots of space. It's well made and nice to drive, but if you're shopping in and around the €38k mark have a really good look at a Kia Sorento or Honda CR-V - those are the two joint best mid-size SUVs around at the moment for my money. 

Worth looking at a spacious estate too. Mazda's just-updated 6 is utterly lovely and well-specced and the Mondeo Estate and Passat Estate are both well worth a look too.

Relevant reviews:

Nissan X-Trail review

Kia Sorento review

Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake review

Honda CR-V review

Expert answer

Hi Gerard,

Not bad, but you have to go in with your eyes open. They're cheap and they're cheap for a reason - comfort, quality and dynamics are all well behind the curve compared to the more expensive opposition. That said, it's not bad - spacious, OK to drive, good diesel engine and they have a good reputation for reliability. Worth remembering though that you only get safety gear like stability control if you upgrade to the top spec model.

Dacia Duster review

Expert answer

Hi Ben,

OK, first off, if it's a second car for short journeys and low mileages, go and track down a petrol model. That shouldn't be too hard if you're looking pre-2008, and it will save you from getting diesel particulate filter problems later.

Of the three, the Tuscon would probably be the most painless to own - it has a great reliability record and the 2.0-litre petrol version is decently frugal. Worth looking at a Kia Sportage of the same vintage too - it's mechanically identical and, to our eyes, slightly better looking.

I'd avoid the RAV4. That generation of RAV was very short on refinement and they tend to need clutch and flywheel replacements as the miles build up. Not a patch on the current, much more sophisticated RAV4.

The X-Trail is well worth a look too. You might struggle to track down the rare 2.0-litre petrol version, but it's worth doing so - it's more reliable than the diesel version and, as long as you go for the second-generation X-Trail, introduced in 2007, you're getting a massively spacious car that's surprisingly good to drive. Be picky though - it has to be that second-gen model, as the first X-Trail was a bit underwhelming. If you can't find a nice one, revert to the Tucson or Sportage.

Expert answer

Hi Ruairi,

With that kind of mileage you would probably be fractionally better off with a petrol, but the thing is that you're unlikely to find one - petrol sales collapsed in the wake of the 2008 change in the car tax regime, so it's very likely that all you'll find out there are diesels. 

Which is no harm - the 308 was always nicer to drive with the 1.6 diesel than with a petrol (unless you can track down a vanishingly rare 150hp 1.6-litre petrol turbo). You just need to watch for a few key items. Make sure the diesel particulate filter has been kept clean, and make sure you give the car at least one good long drive at motorway speeds every week to keep it that way. Check that the cooling system is working properly and that the (plastic) water pump is in good nick. Check the gearbox too - the five-speed manual can sometimes get jammed in neutral.

Expert answer

Hi Anna,

Ford recommends intervals of no more than 125,000 miles (about 210,000km) or 10 years. We'd suggest you err on the side of caution, however.

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

Not necessarily. The rule is never buy on mileage, buy on condition and history. Does the higher mileage car have a more complete service history? Does is have fewer owners? Does it come with a warranty? Does it look and feel as if it's been better cared for? If the answers to those are all yes then the higher mileage car could actually be the better one. It's about much more than simple mileage.

Expert answer

Hi Enda,

Yeah, he's definitely better off with the petrol version, not least because Toyota's 1.4 diesel is not the best, but its 1.33 petrol is a cracker. You might need to do some digging to track one down though - they're thinner on the ground on a 2010 plate than the diesels. 

Now then, Auris versus Corolla. Yup, they're the same size inside. The boot on the Auris is a little smaller but then it's also more versatile thanks to being a hatchback. The point about air conditioning is probably right - standard spec on Toyotas tends to be quite stingy and Corolla saloons are basically built for emerging markets (no, seriously, we're the only Western European nation that still sells them) so tend to be even more basic again. 

I'd say you'll need to find about €3-4k to finance the upgrade from a 2008 Corolla to a 2010 or 2011 Auris.

Relevant reviews:

Toyota Auris review (2013)

Toyota Auris review (2010)

Toyota Corolla review (2013)

Toyota Corolla review (2010)

Expert answer

Hi Martina,

That model Ford Focus TDCi has no pump in the tank, so it can't be that. The only thing that we can think is an issue with the fuel filter or its housing, perhaps letting in air. I'm afraid the only thing for it is to bring the car to a good mechanic to assess. Best of luck,