Expert answer

Hi Vincent,

Not that tough, these days actually. Would you consider an Opel Mokka? Not the greatest car ever made or anything but it has a higher seating position, which may help and, better still, its front seats are approved of by the Aktion Gesunder Rucken, which is the German Bad Back Association. If you don’t fancy the Mokka, I too am a bad back sufferer and I always found that the seats in the Citroen C3 Picasso were always very comfy. Worth a try at any rate.

Here are the reviews:

Opel Mokka X review

Citroen C3 Picasso review

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Hi Patrick,

The official fuel figure for the Sportage petrol model of that era was 27mpg, but we'd expect you will probably do a little lower than that, most likely around 25mpg. It's not terrible, and you have to play that off agains the extra that a diesel model would cost, but it's not exactly economical. Then again, with a bit of practice and technique, you may be able to do better.

Other than that, it makes entirely good sense. Sportages are rugged and pleasant to drive and very practical too. One thing; the price seems a touch high, although that could have to do with there being a dearth of good 2009-2010 used cars around in general, as well as the very low mileage.

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Hi Peter,

Generally Tourans are pretty well made and the cabin in particular is very rugged indeed, a major consideration if you're going to be hauling kids around in the back of it. There are some reports swirling around on t'internet of gearbox issues, with some owners reporting that the DSG gearbox has failed when driving at speed, with literally explosive results. Other than that, it's the usual electrical niggles and some issues with the fuel injectors and pumps on the diesel engines.  As for value, if it's a petrol version, you might pick a 2008 model up for around €7,000-8,000, but if it's a diesel, expect to pay more like €11,000-12,000.

Let us know how you get on.

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Hi Diarmuid,

On the site we have a full test of the XF Sportbrake estate here, powered by the diesel engine. I never added in the average economy figure as my driving that week was mostly in an urban setting. For the record, it used about 9.0 litres/100km (31.4mpg). It should do a lot better on the motorway.

Is that of help?

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Hi again Eamonn,

You're right. There does seem to be a recurring issue out there in Civic-land with customers complaining about premature pad and disc wear.

Now, early brake wear is a very hard thing to analyse as we all drive differently. Someone who brakes late, rides the middle pedal constantly and generally displays a lack of mechanical sympathy is clearly going to wear the brakes and pads out faster. Look at F1 history for the perfect comparison. Back in 1988, McLaren engineers working with (super fast) Ayrton Senna and (super smooth) Alain Prost would have to remove and chuck away Senna's brakes after every race whereas Prost's could almost be re-used - if re-using things was something F1 teams ever did.

We have heard about the possibility that this early brake wear issue mostly affects low mileage Civics, as the brakes are simply not used enough to clear corrosion from the discs on a regular basis. Not sure about that one but it sounds just about plausible.

All we can suggest is to either take a competent mechanic along to help you thoroughly inspect any potential purchase (and we mean THOROUGHLY - wheels off and everything) or get the AA to inspect and report on the car prior to purchase. An honest vendor should also tell you whether they've noticed any early-onset brake wear when asked.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Erwan,

The 207 had recalls in 2007 for engine power loss, a loose seatbelt fixing and short-circuiting electrics. 

Watch for failed wipers and faulty fuse boxes while both clutch and gearbox can be fragile, especially with lots of urban driving. As always make sure the cambelt is replaced on schedule.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi James,

Theoretically it’s a tie between the Hyundai i10 and Citroen C3, both of which score an official 57mpg on the combined economy cycle. A lot is going to depend on your driving style and where you drive them, though.

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Hi John,

With that kind of mileage, I think you should go for the petrol Avensis. Yes, it’ll be a little higher in tax costs, but you’ll get it for less than the diesel, and have lower maintenance costs. 

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Hi Donal,

The Discovery is one of our very favourite cars, especially for the way it can carry seven full-sized adults in luxury-car comfort down the motorway. With big mileage like that though you will be rocking up the fuel bills, as a 2.7-litre V6 diesel Disco will only get about 29mpg in normal driving conditions. That said, you won't get any better from any of its rivals, so there you go.

As for reliability, Land Rover has come on in leaps and bounds in this respect recently, but there's no getting away from the fact that its vehicles tend to be more fragile than the Japanese competition. Small electrical niggles are the most likely problems but both the gearboxes and the air suspension can give problems too and those are rather more serious issues. The V6 diesel engine is pretty solid though.

It would be worth checking out both a Toyota Land Cruiser and Mitsubishi Pajero too, but while both of those would be more likely to have better reliability, neither can hold a candle to the Disco's on-road refinement and comfort.

Let us know which way you go

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Hi Gerry,

Yes, as not only is it smaller and nippier than the Punto, it will be a lot more reliable, and easier to sell on again.