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Hi Patrick,

Volvo tends to build its cars pretty tough and the S80 is no different. Make sure that the timing belt (and its tensioners and pulleys) have been attended to at service time and that all of the electrics are working properly - apparently the S80 has a habit of warning of electrical failures when the components are actually fine.

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Hi Rafal,

There are no problems that suggest themselves as a likely culprit. The Bora is more or less mechanically identical to the Golf, so has the same solidity and suffers the same basic niggles - if there were a problem causing Bora NCT failures, it would be happening to Golfs too. Certainly, Volkswagen Ireland is unaware of any particular Bora issue when we asked for a comment. 

The only thing we can think of is that the Bora has slightly stiffer, sportier suspension than the Golf and that could potentially lead to wear and tear on things like bushings and track rod ends. Given the age of the cars you're looking at, that could be the problem, although in fairness, any 10 to 14-year old car could be suffering from that kind of problem, especially if it's an original Irish car.

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Hi Gerard,

Sadly the answers are yes and yes. I always quite liked the 75 (and its sporty offshoot the MG ZT) but the sad fact is that reliability is not their strong point. 

While the 75 was probably the best built Rover ever that's not saying much and quality was always an issue. The head gasket issue is linked to the intake manifold, which warps as it ages and causes gasket leaks and failures. 

Sorry to say but it's probably best left well alone.

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Hi Jaro,

Are you talking about the E46 model (1998 to 2006) or the E92 (2007 to 2013)?

If it's the E46, check carefully for any suspension problems - listen for clonking noises from underneath and look closely for uneven tyre wear. There was also a problem with radiator cooling fans failing. It's easily replaced but the problem is that the damage may already have been caused so if the car you're looking at has had a new fan, check carefully for any signs of head gasket damage or overheating.

If it's the E92, then cabin rattles and nosies are your biggest problem. They can be fixed but they can be a nightmare of trial and error to do so. Some electronic systems can also give trouble, especially the optional Bluetooth phone system, but that can usually be fixed with a software patch from a BMW dealer. The petrol 320i version can burn through a lot of oil, so take a long test drive to check for any signs of leaks or a smell of burning oil or blue exhaust smoke. There have been reports of total engine failures for the 320i too, but thankfully they seem to be very rare.

Hope that all helps

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Hi Gerard,

I write this as a former (recovering?) Laguna owner and the best I can tell you is to tread very, very carefully. Admittedly, I owned the previous generation Laguna that was quite simply a reliability disaster and one that cost Renault a fortune in warranty claims. The third-generation car, the one you're looking at, is much better in reliability terms, but still, you need to be suspicious of anything that uses electricity – make sure absolutely everything electrical is working properly and watch it like a hawk to check for failures. The 1.5 dCi engine is actually pretty good, and robust too, and you should pretty easily get high-forties mpg out of it. However, you're going to be on a pretty steep depreciation slope as nothing loses value faster than a big French car. That's fine if you're planning to keep and use it until it dies, but not so good if you're planning to trade-in in a few years. As a family car, it's actually quite good though – spacious and comfy, with a big boot and Renault has an excellent reputation for safety too.

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Hi Bill, glad we're of assistance - spread the word!

In answer to your question, it's something of a yes and no. Yes, you could potentially find a cheaper 5 Series by shopping somewhere other than a franchised BMW dealer, but why then try and buy a warranty from BMW? Part of BMW's second hand car warranty package is a full inspection of the vehicle and a check of all major components. Assuming that they would warranty your car unseen, there would almost certainly be a loading on the premium to reflect the fact that they are effectively insuring an unknown car against failure.

So, I would suggest one of two things - either stick with the full franchised BMW second hand package (which is actually pretty keenly priced once you factor everything in) or buy elsewhere and go to a third party for the warranty insurance. Mapfre is pretty much the only game in town in Ireland for aftermarket warranties at the moment, and it has a simple online application form so you can work out the cost of the warranty before you buy the car. Here's the company's website.

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Hi Mary,

First off, no you're not crazy. The Clubman is a terrific little car and I actually own one myself. It's more practical than you might think and much more distinctive and different than the standard MINI Hatch. Secondly, on the alloys - blistering could mean that the paint finish is peeling off or that the metal underneath is starting to corrode. It may be that you could simply sand down the bubbles and have the wheels resprayed, or you may need to budget for some replacement wheels.

The only major mechanical issue is a recurrent gearbox problem that can lead to failure and replacement. As long as it shifts gear cleanly, you should be OK. Don't worry if the shift feels heavy, as they are supposed to feel like that. 

Other problems are persistent interior rattles, issues with the stop-start system and a windscreen that seems to be peculiarly prone to cracks and chips. No issues with the timing belt as long as the service history is up to date.

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Hi George,

Oh dear, where to begin? Warranty Direct describes the 9-5 as one of the most troublesome cars it's ever surveyed. Electrics are the most common problems, so make sure all the buttons work, then check the suspension for signs of wear, tear or incoming failure. Uneven tyre wear is an early sign of problems there.

Approach with caution basically.

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Hi Susan,

Cracking car the i30, and an excellent purchase. Just avoid the petrol engined ones - there are reports of persistent misfires and even full-on engine failures. And if you're buying a car that's still under Hyundai's five-year warranty (which it might just be) then make sure that it has a full main-dealer Hyundai service history with completed routine inspections - or the warranty will be invalid. Also keep an ear out for squeaky interior trim - not a serious issue, but they do seem prone to it.

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Hi Niamh,

Doning an NCT is like going to the dentist; no-one wants to do it and it always ends up costing more than it should. Nonetheless, it's necessary every couple of years.

Much like going to the dentist, the result of your NCT will have more to do with how you've been looking after things over a long period. Bringing your car in for a service just before the test is rather like breaking out the mouthwash and floss just before visiting the mouth doctor. It's not going to fix any underlying problems.

It also depends on how thorough your garage is and whether or not you've told them you're going for an NCT. A good garage, properly informed, should check and re-check everything that's necessary to ensure a pass, but even then, the NCT test is both thorough and inflexible - the smallest issue could trip you up. In that sense, it's probably better, if a little more long-winded, to go for the test and then get everything that's flagged up sorted. Yes, it will be expensive, but you'll have to make the repairs anyway.

But ultimately, we're back to the dentist metaphor again. Looking after your car on a daily basis is what will ensure you a pass.