Expert answer

Hi Joe,

The official fuel economy figure for that model was 35.3mpg, or 8.0 litres per 100km. At this age, and depending on how well it’s been cared for, I’d expect that to be considerably worse today, probably close to 25mpg on average.

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

The manual version uses 8.4 litres/100km (33.6mpg) and the automatic 8.5 litres/100km (33.2mpg).

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Jon,

Well, it depends which model you mean, but I’m assuming it’s a 1.4 VVTi petrol with a manual gearbox. If so, the original official fuel economy was 42.2mpg, or 6.7 litres per 100km. Depending on how well the car has been looked after in the 14 years since then, it’ll probably do around 35mpg in daily driving.

Expert answer

Hi Gareth,

No, more like €5-6k unless it’s in ludicrously good condition and has delivery mileage. The 1.6 engine is pretty underpowered but it’s robust — just watch for problems with the fuel injectors. You’ll need to check the suspension for wear and tear too (listen for nasty clunking noises over bumps) and, for a car of this age, you really need to check everything. It would help if it comes with a full service history, but at that age I doubt that it will.

Expert answer

Hi Robert,

There’s lots of choice in that price bracket for an estate. You could go posh with an Audi A4 Avant TDI (you’ll get into a 2007 model for that budget), or big and practical with a Toyota Avensis (2011 or thereabouts), or sporty with a BMW 3 Series Touring. However, you’re probably best going for a Golf — that budget gets you a 2008 or 2009 Golf Estate, which is roomy, practical, reliable, and nice to drive.

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

There is a known issue with the Freelander concerning the central locking that may cause this, which annoyingly requires replacement of the fuel filler flap motor, then the central locking system fuse (F25 (10A) in fascia fuse box/relay plate if you want to check that before doing anything else).

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

The D3 model has 136hp and the D4 has 163hp ao we're not sure which you're interested in, but here's all the data in any case:

- S60 D3 136hp manual: 65.7mpg (4.3 litres/100km)

- S60 D3 136hp Geartronic auto: 58.7mpg (4.8 litres/100km)

- S60 D4 163hp manual: 65.7mpg (4.3 litres/100km) [yes, the same!]

- S60 D4 163hp Geartronic auto: 58.9mpg (4.8 litres/100km)

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Paraic,

First and foremost is the running costs, but I guess they're on the same level as any large SUV-based commercial with an automatic gearbox - they're heavy on fuel and tyres, etc.

Other than that, while the Discovery 3 is proving to be more reliable than its predecessor, it's hardly the most dependable truck of its type. Some cars are perfect, but others have loads of issues, from the electrics to the air suspension and even to full engine failure.

Don't settle for anything less than a full service history and make sure you have the car checked out by someone that knows what they're looking at too.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Maria,

If it’s the four-wheel-drive version (a 2WD model was occasionally offered) then it should have a maximum towing capacity of 3,504kg, which should easily handle a horse box with two on board. Just make sure that the combined weight doesn’t put you over the total 3,500kg limit, or you’ll need a special towing licence. Official fuel economy when the car was new was 31mpg, or 8.9 litres per 100km.

Expert answer

Hi Nabeel,

No, the S40 gearboxes were all pretty solid, both manual and automatic. If an S40 is going to develop problems, it’s usually with the turbo on the 1.6 diesel engine, or with the central locking or ignition system. There is a bit of a disadvantage in terms of fuel economy with buying an auto S40, but it’s not a huge gap, depending on how you drive.