Expert answer

Hi Shane,

The 2.0litre diesel engine in the S40 is shared with the Ford Mondeo and it's a 140hp unit. A pretty good and robust one too, with few major reported problems, but watch earlier models for niggling electrical issues. 

There were also problems with leaky windscreen surrounds, some 2008 models had faulty wheel nuts, watch for ECU and fuel pump failures and brake issues because of a faulty vacuum pump.

Other than that, you might find the S40 slightly tight on legroom. It's a smaller car than the BMW 3 Series to begin with and Volvo compromised the cabin room further by allowing for more crush zones up front. So safer, but a touch more cramped if you've got long legs.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Carol,

Well, we'd definitely go for diesel unless your mileage is really low, and while both cars are reasonably reliable, both have issues with electrics and fragile cabin trim. 

If you want something with (near enough) total reliability in this class, go for a Toyota Corolla Verso.

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Hi Martin,

The engine is a proven unit, but on all 307s you really have to watch for recurrent electrical problems, particularly if it's a pre-2005 model.

Hope that helps

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Hi Carrie,

Puntos, especially the 2006-on Grande Punto, aren't bad at all when it comes to reliability. The engines are all well-proven Fiat units with few major issues and as long as you keep a wary eye on the electrics, and buy only with a full service history, you should be OK. 

Compared to Fords you have driven, you'll probably find the Fiat has much lighter, more detached steering and a "looser" feeling chassis. But you'll probably also notice that the Punto is unusually spacious and has very eager engines. An underrated car.

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Hi there,

Surprisingly not bad. The 147 was built at a time when Alfa was getting its game together with build and reliability. Basically, watch the electrics like a hawk as anything can go wrong there. I remember a 147 press car with the Selespeed gearbox. Every time I hit the up shift paddle, the dash lights would go out, which meant at night you had to drive everywhere in fifth gear. Other niggles include engine sensors that can knock you into limp-home mode. Other than that, make sure it's got history and make sure you service and maintain it properly - and keep your fingers crossed.

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Hi Albert,

Generally speaking, it should be fine. In fact, depending on which options the original owner ticked on the sales form, it may even still have a couple of years worth of warranty to run. Most of them are fitted with the 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine, which is a proven and rugged design. It's also very economical, which is a bonus.

As ever, with any French car, watch the electrical systems like a hawk. Renaults are prone to throwing an odd warning light at you, which could be something major about to go bang, or it could just be a faulty warning light. Either way, pounce on any potential issue and get it sorted, quick. Watch for the diesel particulate filter clogging up too if the previous owner has only been doing low-speed, around-town mileage.

Hope that helps and let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

To be honest, if badge snobbery were outlawed in the morning, the Kangoo is what we'd all be driving. Massively spacious, comfy and not at all bad to drive, it's the closest modern successor to the original Renault 4. And yes, that's a good thing.

As for reliability, they're pretty good. Being van-based, the mechanical bits are generally of an older design, so the kinks have been long since ironed out and they don't break down much. The only thing to watch for, as on any French car, is the electrical system, which can storm off in a Gallic huff, especially where electric windows are concerned.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Nuala,

Mostly yes, they're fine. The engines and gearboxes are essentially old Mercedes-Benz items and they're pretty long lived and can rack up mega mileages. What you've got to watch for are cabin trim (which is spectacularly fragile and can often come off in your hands) and electrical gremlins. Essentially, if it's on a Rodius and its got a wire in it, it can go wrong, so check carefully to make sure that everything electric is working and budget for running repairs in the future. Expect to pay around €3,500 to €4,000 for a 2005 version, but they're pretty thin on the ground.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Ros,

Not so much. The Mk IV Golf was not the paragon of reliability that the previous three generations had been, nor indeed that the subsequent three generations have been. The biggest recurring problem seems to be fragile engine management systems that can fail, which often leads to major mechanical components going pop. Smaller irritating niggles such as failed locking systems and electric windows have also been regularly reported. 

That said, by 2003, that generation Golf was gearing up to be replaced so it's possible that Volkswagen had ironed out the model's issues by then. Worth looking at so, but tread carefully and have the car checked. A full set of service logs and history would be nice too as always.

Expert answer

Hi Priscilla,

If it's either the 1.6 petrol or the 1.5 diesel then yes, it's an engine shared with the Nissan Qashqai (and sundry other Nissans and Renaults) and is generally pretty solidly built and reliable. 

With Renaults, it's the peripheral systems you have to watch. Major items like the engine and gearbox usually go on just fine but electric components (especially windows in the past), exhaust systems, cabin trim and such like can all be fragile. Check carefully and make sure there's a full service history.

Best of luck