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Hi Martina,

Neither car suffers from any major recurring mechanical maladies, although both can develop minor electrical system issues, especially with the stereos. 

Being as they're basically the same car, it's entirely down to personal preference as to which one you should go for. As the Kia still has warranty left to run, that would be a good bet but check with the Hyundai's seller - there may be a warranty option there too.

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Hi Liam,

Generally speaking it is reliable, but there are a couple of things to keep an eye out for. Electrical problems can usually be traced to an engine management system fault. It can often be fixed by a software update but sometimes the whole black box will need replacing. 

Rear seat folding hinges can jam and door locks can give trouble too. Oh, and if it's an SVE model beware of tyres - they're an odd specification and can be hard to source. 

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Hi Dave,

Well, it's been a few years since we drove one... The RX4 was Renault's idea of an SUV based on the practical family friendly Scenic. It had higher ride height, plastic bash-panels and permanent four-wheel drive. 

If you're thinking of buying one check the electrical systems very carefully and also check the suspension, as it could be very fragile. The cabin is a weak point too with disintegrating trim. Also, as it's a practical 4x4, check for abuse at the hands of builders and the like using them on sites.

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Hi John,

OK, there's good news and bad news here. The good news is that the four marques of which you've spoken have all really lifted their quality and reliability games. Renault especially has come on a long way since the dark, unreliable days of the early 2000s. While electrical gremlins are pretty much guaranteed further down the line, that's something you could equally say of any Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Audi.

Dacia tend also to make very reliable cars, in no small part because they're so simple and lacking in the sort of high-end electronics that festoon other models. The brand regularly features very high up in the European JD Power customer satisfaction rankings.

Fiat tends to do less well in those rankings, but much of that is down to a dealer network that's still trying to get its head around modern customer service requirements. The fact is that Fiats these days are no more or less well made or reliable than any other brand (mostly - more on that in a tic). Certainly, we know of many Fiat customers who've had trouble-free motoring for many, many years.

Citroen too has really lifted its game and the latest generations, such as the C4 Picasso and C4 Cactus are really well put together. Long term reliability is still an unknown of course for these new models, but in general, longevity seems to be on the up.

However, just as these Franco-Italian brands have improved, so too have the Japanese and Koreans. There is still a distinct gap in overall solidity between the Japanese brands (Honda especially) and everyone else. It's still the case that if you want genuinely trouble-free motoring, the Japanese are still kings, with the Koreans and Skoda hot on their heels.

That said, I reckon if you bought any Fiat, looked after it properly and made sure it was fully serviced to schedule, you wouldn't have any major problems.

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Hi Gerard,

Not the most exciting car in the world, but they're pretty solidly built. Be careful of electrical gremlins and any clonking noises from the suspension means a car is to be avoided. The diesel engines can burn rather a lot of oil so check the levels and beware of any rough running. The 1.8 petrol is adequate but 1.6 is underpowered and consequently very thirsty.

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Hi Shayne,

Electrics, electrics, electrics. The W211 was full of electrical and electronic toys and all of them are suspect. Mercedes was going through an especially poor stage in its history at this point and the W211 suffered more than most models. Anything with a wire poking out of the back is a potential worry and the battery can run it self flat if the car is left standing even for just a few days.

The electronic brain that controls the brakes is also deeply troublesome often leaving the car in limp home mode. Check that the automatic gearbox picks up gears smoothly and that there are no flat spots in the engine's power delivery. Paint can often be an issue too - check for damage or flakes coming off.

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Hi Eamon,

They're two very different cars, the Zafira and the Galaxy. The Opel is much the smaller car so if you're planning to carry full-size adults in the third row, you really need to get the Galaxy. 

In terms of reliability they both have their common issues. The Galaxy's engine can cut out unexpectedly (a software patch is the fix) and its interior trim can be fragile. A clunking noise from the steering could mean that the power steering pump is on the way out. Electrical problems are common and the alarm can give trouble.

On the Opel check that the tailgate release is working as it should and the air conditioning system can be troublesome. The stereo can also forget its preset stations or just stop working altogether. 

More seriously, the diesel engine can give serious trouble. Timing belt, water pump and the turbo are all problem areas. Make sure you get one with a full service history and an aftermarket warranty might not be a bad idea.

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Hi Nat,

Puntos are actually surprisingly reliable cars - not the shonky Italian jobs of legend. Once all the electrics are in good nick, I'd say you're safe enough and if the work that's agreed to be done is done, then all should be fine. It does sound a little bit pricey though for an almost ten-year-old Punto. I'd try and get another few hundred off.

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Hi Jim,

That depends on whether you mean the last of the old-shape XJs that finished production in 2003 or the first of the new-shape models, the all-aluminium one that started production that year. 

If it's the new one then the news is good - they're solidly reliable and there are no major reported faults. That said there were some recalls so you need to make sure those were attended to. And as with any expensive car of this age make sure all the electrical bits are working properly and that it has a full, uninterrupted service history. Also, as both the body and chassis are made of aluminium, it can be expensive to get minor dings and bumps fixed so maybe have a ring around to see what kind of prices you get quoted for any work that needs doing before you buy. 

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Hi Roman,

The Insignia is a thoroughly good car, and one that feels especially slick and pleasant to drive. The only common problems seem to be small electrical glitches (alarm systems especially) and leaky boot seals that let rain in.

We've never experienced any suspension problems with any Insignia we've driven, nor does it seem to be an issue amongst owners. Could you elaborate on your Passat problems? Could be a useful bit of info for our database...