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Hi James,

I'd say between €8,000 and €10,000 depending on the condition and history. Lower end if it's a trade in, a little higher if the service history is immaculate.

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Hi Andrew,

It seems there are some niggly little issues with the current shape Astra, but none of them seem to be utterly disastrous. There have been some reports of electronic issues, particularly around the cruise control and the (optional) electronic parking brake. Those problems can also cause the brake lights to flicker annoyingly. There have been two recalls issued for the car, one for the anti-trap sensor in the electric windows and one for faulty bolts on the front passenger seat. Make sure both of those have been carried out. Finally, as with the Insignia, there seems to be an occasional issue with the rubber seals on the boot so check the boot carpet for any signs of damp or water getting in.

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Hi Aidan,

More recent Clios, the current and just-replaced models for instance, would have decent reliability, but anything dating back before 2005 we'd have concerns over. Older Renaults are all too often bad news. If it's a 2005-2013 model you're looking at, make sure you carefully check brakes, suspension and anything electric for faults.

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Hi John,

Well, you haven't mentioned a specific model so it's a little hard to tell. In 2005, Alfa was making the 147, 159, GT Coupé, Brera and Spyder - all of which fall into classic recent Alfa territory. That is, more reliable than their reputation would have you believe, but less reliable than the industry best of Honda and Toyota. In other words, if you're contemplating buying one, make sure it's been properly well cared for in the past, has a full service history and decide now that you're not going to be put off by minor electrical malfunctions and tantrums.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Conor,

Tread very, very carefully. Saab 9-5s are generally very troublesome, with electrics and suspension being the key weak points. According to Warranty Direct in the UK, it's probably the least reliable prestige car you can drive. 

In terms of parts, it shouldn't be a major issue and there are Saab specialists such as www.saabparts.com from whom to source them. 

To be honest though, you're probably better off going for something else. Maybe track down a nice Volvo S60 T5 instead? Terrific car, that and much more reliable.

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Hi Ragnar,

Several things can cause that, so you need to take the car to an auto-electrician to ascertain which. Possibilities:

1) The battery itself needs to be replaced, but don't do that until you're sure it's none of these other things.

2) The alternator isn't charging the battery properly. Check for loose leads and/or the alternator belt itself before paying an auto-electrician to check it.

3) Something may be staying on to drain the battery when you turn the car off. It could be a light in the boot or glovebox or the alarm or stereo or something else entirely. Will need a little investigation.

Best of luck with it - let us know how you get on.

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Hi Ruairi,

You're expecting me to say 'everything' aren't you? 

Well, actually, 159s are pretty well built and when they do suffer from old-school Alfa flakiness, it tends to be more on a car-by-car basis. So the best trick is to talk to the previous owner. If the car gave them no major trouble, then it's probably a good 'un.

The critical check point is anything electric. Wiper motors are weak and the cruise control can freak out easily and take a good long test drive to make sure that the engine always delivers its power smoothly and consistently. If it doesn't then the ECU could be on the way out. 

Finally, if the front tyres are showing signs of uneven wear, then the front suspension is out of alignment and needs sorting.

Best of luck

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Hi Mike,

No, parts shouldn't be too pricey as all vans are supposed to be quick and cheap to fix. We haven't heard of any reliability scares and Peugeot vans tend to be pretty solid. The only concern would be on condition - vans, especially ones owned by companies rather than owner operators, tend to get dog's abuse so check it over carefully before you buy, and make sure it has been serviced properly. 

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Hi Sinead,

To be honest, I'd avoid it. The 307 was never a great car to begin with and it was probably one of the lowest points for Peugeot build quality. They tend to suffer every electrical problem going, the cabins and interiors are very fragile and the suspension is prone to outright failure. 

If you still fancy a Peugeot, see if you can stretch your budget to a 308 - that was a much better built car, has decent reliability and if you get the 1.6 diesel then 65mpg in daily driving is a reality for you.

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Hi Marguerite,

Check all the electrical systems very carefully and when you take a test drive, let the engine sit and idle for a while with one eye on the temperature gauge - they've been known to suffer from static overheating issues. Check all the floors and carpets for any dampness (the roofs and the driver's door can leak) and make certain it has a full and complete service history; that little three-cylinder turbo engine is highly strung and needs careful maintenance. If it's been skimped on, walk away.