Expert answer

Hi Elaine,

It will depend hugely on the condition and service history, but the ballpark is between €1,200 and €1,600.

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Hi Joe,

The current model? It’s a little too early to tell, as it usually takes several years before any major reliability issues come to light. So far, they seem to be solid, and for the most part they use tried and tested Opel engines and gearboxes, so as long as you buy one that’s got a full service history, we wouldn’t expect too many problems.

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Hi Emma,

I’d go for the Micra, as it’ll be the most reliable of the cars you’ve mentioned. A budget of €2,000 should get you a 2006-2007 model, and I wouldn’t be bothered about mileage — buy on service history and condition. Other good options are a Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz or, if you fancy a bit of driving fun, a Suzuki Swift.

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Hi Veronica,

The S40 is pretty solid, and that 1.8-litre engine is more or less unburstable, but there are common problems with the ignition and central locking systems, and on a car that old you’ll need to check for a full service history, and have a good, long inspection to look for signs of excessive wear and tear.

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Hi James,

As discussed via email:

That generation Audi A6 is in general a reliable car, but not fault-free. Some owners have had no problems, while others have been plagued. The Multitronic transmission is not renowned for being the most trouble-free, though units made pre-2006 have the most problems. Also, the gearbox's fluid should be changed at 55,000 and 115,000 kilometres (or 35,000 and 75,000 miles) so the car you're looking at should have had two changes by now. Check that it has and then look in detail at how the gearbox works. Does the 'PRNDS' indicator on the dash flash? Is there hesitation? Is it easy to get reverse?

No matter what turbodiesel car you look at you'll hear of turbo problems from some owners. Most of the time it's likely to be due to poor oil maintenance. So check the car's service history in terms of oil changes and that the oil level itself is right. They do use a bit of oil.

While you're checking out the car in detail, make sure the air conditioning can produce freezing air in just a few minutes, as these have been known to fail.

I'm probably making this sound worse than it is! I'd buy an A6 for myself - it's a good car - you just need to know what you're looking for and not get caught out by one of the few badly maintained examples out there.

Let us know how you get on.

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Hi Sean,

I don't think you're asking for too much actually, so long as you don't mind a car that's a few years old. There's plenty of choice at that price point. You've not told us how big a car you need or how far you drive each year so we're keeping an open mind there, but only shortlisting diesel saloons and hatchbacks. Options include:

- Ford Fiesta 1.4 TDCi

- Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi

- Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi

- Nissan Note 1.5 dCi

- Peugeot 407 1.6 HDi (only if it has a full service history)

- Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI

Come back to us if you need help narrowing things down further.

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Hi Paulina,

There’s a common wiring fault that can disable the speedometer, and check too for corroded brake discs. Leaking shock absorbers are common too, but thankfully that’s about it for the known issues. But do bear in mind that it’s 15 years old now so check the whole car over very carefully and insist on a full service history.

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Hi Tom,

Expert answer

Hi Tom,

First thing to do is pop along to Cartell.ie and pay for a full history check, as this will tell you a lot. Then, ask the seller to scan or photograph all the documentation for you so you can check it before you go any further.

After that, you either make the journey to Dublin to test the car or you pay an independent assessor (the AA provides such a service) to do it for you.

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Hi Joe,

In general this is a sound purchase, though there are a few things to look out for as ever. We'd advise readers to get as full a service history as possible, even on a relatively old car such as this. On the diesel models check for smooth running and have a look at the condition of the oil. Walk away if it's filthy or there's blue smoke in the exhaust. Black smoke under acceleration shouldn't be an issue though.

The 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol models are known to have issues with their coil packs, while many have air conditioning problems. Just make sure all switches work as you'd expect and check that the air conditioning gets cold within a few minutes. Minor electrical gremlins seem to be this car's biggest problem, but don't let that put you off - just thoroughly check the car you're considering buying.

As ever, we'd advise you to bring along a mechanic to inspect the car before you commit any money.

Let us know how you get on.