How reliable is the Suzuki Liana?
How many miles are Suzuki Liana engines good for?
Mark Power (Cloonfad)Feb 2016 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
Suzukis are reliable cars, by and large, so I'd say lots and lots of miles, but it's impossible to generalise. It all depends on what kind of condition the individual car is in and how well it's been looked after. Any car that's been serviced to schedule and cared for properly will do mega-miles easily.
I am looking for an automatic four-door.
I am looking for an automatic four-door, not too old, in the South Dublin area.
Stan Quinn (Dublin)Feb 2016 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Stan,
That's quite specific and we don't offer a car finding service I'm afraid, but we'd highly recommend spending some time refining searches on Carzone.ie.
Best of luck
How often should I service my Ford Fiesta?
How often should I service my 2007 Ford Fiesta 1.2-litre petrol? Confession: I don't think it's had the works since I bought it in 2013!
Catherine Hegarty (Ballincollig)Feb 2016 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
It really does depend on your mileage and driving conditions, but a good rule of thumb is at least once a year regardless. We'd recommend every 15,000km on a car like that as well, but even if you don't do that in a year it's best to get the car serviced annually.
It's definitely overdue one!
Is the Mercedes-Benz M-Class a good buy?
I'm a retired driver with full no claims insurance bonus. I'm looking for a reliable, comfortable and high end car or SUV with about 100,000 miles on the clock plus room for golf clubs and a folding trolley in the boot. I like SUVs because I'm finding it increasingly difficult to get out of cars that are lower on the road (have an older E -Class Merc at the moment). A car that would still look well in about five years' time appeals to me. Can you please advise if a 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML 280 would be a good buy?
David Rafferty (Malahide)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi David,
Yes, that M-Class is a particularly nice one, but there's a couple of things to watch for. Mercs of that era can be electrically fragile so beware of anything with a button or a switch and don't dare buy anything without a full and comprehensive service history.
The other thing to worry about is insurance - next year that car will be 10 years old and you'll get hammered for insurance by pretty much all Irish providers. Not a problem for this year but possibly something to keep in mind.
Can you help my buy my first car?
I am in the market to buy my first car. I have looked at a 2007 Volkswagen Polo for €5,500 with 80,000 miles; a 2009 Renault Clio with 50,000 miles for €5,500; and a 2007 Opel Corsa with 110,000 miles for €4,500 (all 1.2). It is important to purchase a car that will help to keep my insurance and maintenance costs low.
Any advice on these cars or others that I should consider would be greatly appreciated. Is the best method of purchasing through a dealership?
Niamh, Limerick
Niamh McCrann (Limerick)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Niamh,
I'd go for the Polo - of the three you're looking at it's the one (all things being equal) that's likely to be the most reliable. One thing though - you'll have to change it again next year as then it will be 10 years old and it's now proving almost impossible to get an affordable quote for a 10-year old car.
Is a PCP right for me in retirement?
I'm approaching 66 and recently had to retire. My state pension will be around €230 when it comes in March plus a small work pension of €57 a week. My car, an Audi A2, is a 2001 reg. It's showing signs of age and as it's an obsolete model services are expensive. I would have 3,000 maybe 3,500 Euros to put towards an upgrade. Can you advise me as to whether I should opt for a new car and a repayment plan or get a second-hand one?
Angela O'Sullivan
Angela O'Sullivan (Waterville)Jan 2016 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Angela,
I think a PCP plan would be entirely wrong for you, because they really only work if you're intending to come back in three years' time to trade in again. I'm guessing you don't want to do that.
Your Audi is worth about €2,000 so put that together with your €3,000 and we're looking at a budget of around €5,000. That's great because that will get you into a 2007 Honda Jazz - one of the best small cars around. It's spacious, comfortable, frugal and above all reliable. You simply can't go wrong with one.
Is it worth looking at the Jaguar X-Type?
I'm looking at an X-Type Jaguar, around 2008 or 2009. Are they worth looking at? Or should I look at a Mondeo or Passat?
Hugh Fleming (Wicklow)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Hugh,
Well, a Mondeo or Passat would be a more sensible choice - more around to choose from and slightly cheaper running costs. And that's the Achilles' heel of the X-Type - running costs. While the diesels are reasonably frugal, and in general it's a well-made and reliable car (after some serious horrors on early-build examples back in 2001 and 2002), the X-Type can be expensive to fix if and when it does go wrong, and don't go assuming that because it's based on a MkIII Mondeo that you can use more affordable Mondeo bits; there's still a lot of bespoke Jag in there.
Still, it's a lovely car to drive, and the 2008 facelift (new grille, slightly squarer looks) made it much more stylish. Shop around carefully, don't buy anything that doesn't have a full service history and check for any noises coming from either the transmission or the suspension.
Skoda Fabia or Opel Corsa or Renault Clio?
Hi,
Would you go for a 2011 1.2-litre Skoda Fabia (89k miles) or 2012 Opel Corsa 1.0-litre (69K miles) or 2011 Renault Clio 1.1-litre as a second family car/run around?
Catherine Healy (Cork)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
Go for the Skoda; assuming that it's in good shape and has a decent service history as it'll be the most reliable of the bunch.
Does this 141 Audi A3 Saloon sound ok?
I am seeing a 141 (2014 Apr) Audi A3 Saloon 2.0 TDI 150hp, SE with Milano leather, a good spec car overall and has done only 10,000km so far. The price being quoted is €25,000. I am actually worried because the price quoted is low for its value. What could the seller be hiding? Any suggestions to help not to get cheated? Seller is a dealer (not SIMI) and has no problems me getting a Audi showroom health check.
Gokul Gurijala (Cork)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Gokul,
It's not massively cheap, maybe a couple of grand below the average asking price, but with just 10,000km on it, it does look a touch suspicious. Independent dealers can be, shall we say, very variable in their quality of sales and service, but maybe ask around and see if others in the area have had any experience.
Any advice on buying a used BMW 5 Series?
Hi,
I am planning to buy a 2011 or 2012 BMW 5 Series M Sport auto. Any advice and price range please?
Susan Jacob (Cork)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Susan,
You should be fine - that's the current model and it hasn't thrown up any major reliability issues. BMW also seems to have fixed a long-standing concern over the reliability of the timing belts on its 2.0-litre diesel engine, as well as some weaknesses around the turbos. That said, unless the car has a pristine and fully stamped service history (preferably from a BMW main dealer) then avoid it - they're complicated things and any skimping on maintenance by a former owner will come back to haunt you.