Expert answer

Hi Irene,

Engine size means less than it used to, especially when comparing a petrol engine to a diesel one. That Hyundai will be more economical and cheaper to tax than the 1.4 petrol Golf from 2008. Saying that, if most of your driving is in town there won't be a big advantage for the diesel, but it should still use less fuel overall.

A larger car such as the i40 is likely to be a bit heavier on things like tyres, but it's newer than your Golf so shouldn't need tyres for a while. 

Hope that all helps 

Expert answer

Hi there,

Well, the 207 CC was certainly better-built than the 206 CC that preceded it, but you have to buy carefully - they're pretty heavy cars, so suspension and steering problems are common, as is high tyre wear. Electrical faults need to be watched out for too, and the roof mechanism is a constant source of angst - although you can manually wind it up or down with a wheelbrace if it gets stuck half-way, which is a common issue. 

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Hi Aiden,

No, you're not missing anything. French cars, and big French saloons in particular, always suffer staggering depreciation and the 407 is not a car that's especially loved by the used trade. 

There's nothing much mechanically wrong with them but make sure you check that all of the electrical bits and pieces are working, and check the cabin for loose or ill-fitting pieces of trim. Then check the suspension, especially at the front, for any damage. Listen for clonking or knocking noises and check the tyres for signs of uneven wear.

Expert answer

Hi Matt,

We asked Ford for an official adjudication on this, and here is the response:

"Each vehicle/wheel has a specific offset and wheel width regardless of tyre size. The 7.5J x 18 referenced for the Kuga wheel means that that wheel is 7.5 inches in width and the S-MAX referenced is running 7J x 17 meaning the wheels originally fitted were seven inches in width. Therefore, the answer from Ford is no - we would only recommend like for like replacements."

Expert answer

Hi Elaine,

We'd suggest you up your tyre pressures all round by 2psi if you're going to be carrying that many more people, but as we don't know what type of car you have it's best to follow the manufacturer advice. There's usually a diagram showing the correct ratings either inside the fuel filler flap or on one of the front door frames - visible with the door open only.

It's not unusual for tyre fitters to recommend putting a higher pressure in your spare, but really we'd say that's too high. Stick to 40psi if it's a spare that's not easily accessible and checked often, as it will likely lose pressure over time. If, however, it's easy to get at, keep it at the right pressure and check it monthly.

Hope that all helps

Expert answer

Hi Niall,

Probably around €8k retail or €6,500 - €7,000 as a trade-in.

Expert answer

Hi Josephine,

Our database shows that, if your car is fitted with 195/55 R15 V 85 sized tyres then the correct average pressure is 2.1 bar or 31 PSI. 

This information should be displayed on your car somewhere - either inside the fuel filler flap or on the door frame when you open the door. 

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Liam,

Generally speaking it is reliable, but there are a couple of things to keep an eye out for. Electrical problems can usually be traced to an engine management system fault. It can often be fixed by a software update but sometimes the whole black box will need replacing. 

Rear seat folding hinges can jam and door locks can give trouble too. Oh, and if it's an SVE model beware of tyres - they're an odd specification and can be hard to source. 

Expert answer

Hi Andy,

It's only a small difference but it could well be a reason for failure. The NCT says that having tyres of differing size or specification is a fail point.

It would be worth your while getting that odd tyre swapped out for one the same as the others. Even with that small difference in the sidewall, the way the tyre reacts and the way heat builds up in the tread is different so while the car might fee fine, its reactions in an emergency situation could be suspect.

I know it's an annoying expense, but honestly, tyres are pretty much the most important thing on the car. Better to make sure they're right. 

Expert answer

Hi Mike,

The A6 is a cracking choice - reliable, frugal, stylish and hugely comfy, but it's not as sweet to drive as the 5 Series. That said, it is more spacious and if you can track down an Avant estate you'll have one of the best looking cars around. 

If you're concerned about driving on snow and ice there are two avenues you should explore, no matter which car you go for. One is to look into fitting either winter tyres (which you'll need to swap back over to normal tyres in the spring) or all-season tyres, such as the new 'CrossClimate' one from Michelin. Better again, go on a winter driving techniques course. BMW runs one at Rally School Ireland in Monaghan and the skills you'll learn there would get you through even the worst blizzard, no matter which set of your car's wheels are driven.

Further reading:

Audi A6 review

BMW 5 Series review