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Hi Stephen,

If it won't turn over at all it sounds like the battery is flat (it takes a lot more charge to turn the engine than to light up the dashboard) or the starting motor has stopped working. As you mentioned slow degradation I'd suspect the battery, and perhaps the alternator isn't working to full efficiency. Best bet is to get a good mechanic or auto electrician to sort it out.

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Hi Pauline,

I think your best bet is to go for a Honda Civic 1.4 EX with the CVT automatic transmission. High seats, lots of space, comfortable, frugal, reliable and yes it has standard folding electric mirrors in that spec.

Honda Civic review

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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

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Hi Aiden,

No, you're not missing anything. French cars, and big French saloons in particular, always suffer staggering depreciation and the 407 is not a car that's especially loved by the used trade. 

There's nothing much mechanically wrong with them but make sure you check that all of the electrical bits and pieces are working, and check the cabin for loose or ill-fitting pieces of trim. Then check the suspension, especially at the front, for any damage. Listen for clonking or knocking noises and check the tyres for signs of uneven wear.

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Hi Tony,

Not a bad old lump, the Xsara, but watch for failing clutches, sagging suspension and dodgy electrics. Actually, you could be better off tracking down a well-cared for ZX hatch - they're a little more mechanically robust, and they're much more fun to drive than the Xsara, especially the desirable Volcane.

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Hi Laurence,

Well, to be honest, we don't often hear of any Lexus models suffering anything in the way of major component failure. Was there some major factor, such as physical damage to the batteries, or flooding or something like that? Batteries in hybrids and electric cars are always a concern when it comes to longevity, but Toyota has 15-year-old Prius still running around and their batteries are still working fine. Lexus claims that the batteries are designed to last the life of the car, so I'm suspecting that there's some other factor at play here.

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Hi Joe,

They're actually pretty nice to drive and don't seem to suffer too many reliability horrors. Electrical gremlins are the most common so check that everything with a wire in it works OK. That 1.6 diesel is good but it needs regular servicing by a pro and only put the highest grade of synthetic oil in it. If there are gaps in the service history, leave it. Also worth asking to see if the water pump has been replaced at some point. 

The suspension is a bit sensitive to any knocks too so listen out for any clonking noises and if the steering is anything other than smooth and precise, there's something up.

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Hi Denise,

No, you should be OK. Renault reliability and quality has come on a long way since the bad old days of the early 2000s. Check it out carefully and make sure it has a full service history.

Relevant review:

Renault Fluence Z.E. review

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Hi Peter,

OK, first off the MX-5 is the go-to choice for an affordable convertible. Lots of them out there to choose from, they are reliable and solidly built, so there are few major problem areas to worry about.

Actually, the problems that do occur are usually more to do with maintenance than anything else. Check the convertible hood first for tears, splits, shrinking or mildew and mould. If there are any leaks, check for damage from water getting into the cabin, especially the electrical system - electric windows can easily pack up if the switches get leaked on to too much.

Check the alloys for corrosion and check that the rear-window demister is working - if there has been work done on the hood it can often be left disconnected. If the steering feels anything less than laser-precise and brilliant, suspect worn bushes, but it's not a big or expensive job. 

Check also for accident damage - MX-5s can be tricky in the wet for anyone not used to rear-drive and any prangs need careful attention and work to make sure that the structure of the car remains sound. Also, avoid anything modified or tinkered with like the plague.

As for differences between the Japanese market cars and our ones, they're in the details more than anything else. The basic mechanical stuff is the same, but JDM cars often came with things like proper mechanical limited slip differentials when European cars had viscous couplings, and equipment levels in Japan were usually higher. If you're thinking of buying a Eunos Roadster (the Japanese name for the MX-5) then it would probably be a good idea to get in touch with the MX-5 Owners' club who can help you out with details of individual models and special editions, and on parts availability. You can get them on http://www.mx5ireland.com

Best of luck and let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi William,

They're generally very solid cars, A4s, and the fact that this one comes with a full service history bodes well. The weak points are the electrics (so check to make sure that everything with a button or a wire works properly) and the cooling system (so try and go for a good long test drive and let the engine heat up properly to see if the radiator is doing its job). 

On the dynamic front, there's no doubt that a BMW 3 Series is a more engaging drive, but the Audi's robustness and practicality make it a very sensible second hand buy.