Expert answer

Hi Dorothy,

OK, the official schedule for changing the timing belt is 60,000 miles so if the one you're looking at hasn't had it done, it's on serious borrowed time. Other than that, they're very reliable, one of the most solidly built cars you can buy. We've heard reports of intermittent issues with the electric sliding side doors and some problems with the infotainment system, but the main mechanical package is pretty tough. In 2010, the Carnival got upgraded to the full Kia seven-year warranty, so that just shows you the faith Kia has in it.

Expert answer

Hi John,

Yes, but with one small caveat. The Prius has always been one of Toyota's best, and indeed best-built cars. It's essentially a flagship model, particularly for Toyota's eco-friendly ambitions. There have been a few recalls (for malfunctioning brake lights, airbags, steering and brake issues, as well as the infamous sticky-throttle-pedal one), but generally Prius are solidly reliable and there have thus far been no reports of fading or failing battery performance. We've heard one or two reports of rust breaking out, but they're probably most likely down to unattended panel damage exposing bare metal.

The caveat? It depends how and where you drive as to whether or not it's worth buying a Prius. Yes, you'll get cheap road tax, but to get even vaguely close to Toyota's quoted 65mpg fuel economy figures, you're going to have to drive with the reticence of a trappist monk. Get anywhere in the neighbourhood of enthusiastic driving and you're going to see the fuel economy plummet, ditto for undertaking any long motorway journeys. But, if you spend most of your time in town, where the Prius' electric motor and stop-start systems can best bring their armament to bear, then the economy should pick up, and you'll have one of the most comfortable, reliable and relaxing cars in which to hustle your way through city traffic.

Expert answer

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.

Expert answer

Hi Liam,

OK, the value is a hard thing to put an absolute figure on as the 8 Series is now of an age where it's all about the condition and history of the car. If it's in good nick and there's a full set of BMW or independent BMW specialist stamps in the service book, then you should be looking at a value of around €6,000-7,000, maybe a touch less considering that this car has pretty high mileage.

Thankfully, that mileage is nothing to worry about, with one major caveat and that caveat is engine failure. Some 840ci models used engines with a cylinder bore lined in an alloy called Alusil, which is prone to wear and can cause the engine to go expensively pop. If your car has the other type of cylinder liner, Nikasil, then you should be fine, and by and large the 8 Series is an astonishingly robust car, with very few reported common faults.

Just make sure you check that everything electrical is working correctly, as the 8 Series was kind of on that cusp between the simpler pre-electronic age and the arrival of all the complex modern gadgets.

If you buy it, let us know how you get on and give us as flash of your cool pop-up headlamps!

Expert answer

Hi Ronnie,

It's a bit of a mixed bag, apparently. While the Rexton is a pretty simple beast, there are plenty of tales of electrical issues and minor glitches and we know of one owner who blew two Rexton engines in quick succession - after which he was advised to have it serviced every 10,000km! Other than that, keep a keen eye out for signs of abuse. Rextons are often seen as a cheap alternative to other 4x4s and so tend to be bought for hard work and heavy lifting. If it's been used off-road or on building sites a lot (a common fate for many Rextons) there could be some bodywork damage to deal with.

As for just being a car, they're not much cop to be honest. Noisy, slow and with spectacularly bad handling. You'd be much better off in a Toyota Land Cruiser, even if you have to go for an older model within your budget.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

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 Philip,

The thing with Italian cars is that they're like the apocryphal little sister. When they're good, they're very, very good. When they're bad, they're 'orrible.

The Multipla is actually one of the more robust Fiats, and speaking from personal experience the 1.9 JTDM diesel engine seems to take all manner of abuse and high mileage in its stride.

The best bet seems to be to avoid the 1.6 petrol model, and check to see if a diesel is down on power or displaying obvious flat-spots in the power delivery. If so, it could be an exhaust gas recirculation valve, or a more serious crankshaft wear issue. 

Other than that, check and make sure that everything electronic is working right. Fiat has come a long way on reliability since the bad old days but irritating electrical gremlins remain the brand's Achilles heel.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

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

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

It’s a bit of a downer, I’m afraid. The 307 was never Peugeot’s finest hour,and suffered from build quality that, if not quite poor, was certainly not the best. The SW is the best version, with lots of space and the option of seven seats, and if you get the 1.6 HDI diesel engine it’s a pretty reliable lump, but expect electrical faults as you go along. Buy it cheap and run it into the ground, would be our advice.

Expert answer

Hi Thomas,

It seems to be a bit all or nothing with the Voyager and reliability. Some owners skate through life with nary a problem, others have no end of hassle. The primary issues seem to be electrical, including wiper motors, ignition systems, fuel pump controls and electric tailgates and sliding doors. The interior is also pretty fragile in places, and items such as interior lights and instrument lighting can give trouble, as can the radio systems.