Expert answer

Hi Gemma,

First of all, we need you to confirm whether this is the engine management light or the oil pressure light you are referring to, as that's important! Those Corollas are known to have issues with gumming up the gauze that leads into the oil sump, which could lead to oil pressure problems - hence illuminating the oil pressure light. Likewise, it could be the pressure release valve as mentioned by your mechanic. If he flushed that out and replaced the oil and filter then the next step is actually to replace the oil light switch itself - as it may be faulty. If it's not, then the sump needs to come off and he needs to look at removing and cleaning the gauze.

However, if it really is the engine management light then you need the car hooked up to an OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) reader to extract the fault code and trace down the problem. This will only be possible when the light is on of course, which is tricky if it's an intermittent problem.

Come back to us if you need more assistance.

Expert answer

Hi Ian,

It's very difficult to assess such things from afar. It could just be dust and dirt in the wrong place or a stiff ball joint or bushing that needs to be replaced.

We advise you bring it to a mechanic to have a look at.

Expert answer

Hi Dave,

If you don't have any luck cleaning this by hand it's probably worth bringing the car into a spray painter and having the paint machine compounded and then polished back up.

Cheaper than a respray!

Expert answer

Hi Steven,

In my opinion this is NOT a good buy for the price and not suitable for your needs. The car looks in acceptable condition, but it already has quite high mileage, and you plan on adding over 45,000 kilometres a year to it. There are a lot of cars around for the same €4,500 with much lower mileage.

Come back to us if you'd like help finding something more suitable.

Expert answer

Hi Paula,

Despite appearances, the CrossPolo is less than 30mm taller than the regular Polo hatchback. We don't expect it to be significantly different to the Polo on the road.

We've not yet driven this car, though we're due to within weeks so keep an eye on the site and if anything changes we'll let you know.

Expert answer

Hi Rory,

I'm sure you're aware that your budget will get you any number of relatively new regular cars such as the Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus, along with bigger models like the Ford Mondeo and Toyota Avensis.

However, given your current choice of car I'd suspect that you'd like to retain the elevated driving position and your mileage dictates a diesel engine. Most cars can take a tow bar and you don't have heavy towing needs so that's not a major consideration. Likewise, all SUVs etc. will have room for your golf clubs.

So the logical choices based on all that include:

BMW X3: Good diesel engine, spacious, but your budget may only get you an older example.

Citroen C-Crosser: Great 2.2-litre diesel engine; rest of car built on Mitsubishi mechanicals.

Honda CR-V: Bomb-proof reliability, but again may have to settle for older example.

Hyundai Santa Fe: Big and comfortable, though running costs higher than smaller SUV.

Mitsubishi Outlander: Spacious, well made, ok diesel, if loud.

Nissan X-Trail: Strangely forgotten, but plenty around at this price.

Peugeot 4007: Shares its engine and underpinnings with the Citroen above.

Suzuki Grand Vitara: Very reliable.

Toyota RAV4: Another with impressive reliability. Possibly the choice of the lot at this price.

There are loads of older, bigger SUVs for sale at that price too, but they'll cost you more to run for no real benefit.

If you're willing to change body styles completely it's worth checking out something like a BMW 120d Coupé or a diesel 3 Series Coupé. There are also plenty of great estates on the market for that budget, including the Audi A4 Avant and BMW 3 Series Touring. I know you don't need that space for a family, but it's useful for a lot of other things.

Come back to us with more information and we'll help to narrow your search further.

Expert answer

Hi Paul,

Well one obvious answer, given the length of your commute would be to charge it in work during the week. Failing that, while the ESB will fit a box to the outside of your house, this would mean a lead being attached to your car from this and this of course could be open to vandalism. You will find that the number of on-street charging posts will dramatically increase over the next 12 months and there may be one near where you live with a special parking spot for an EV. 

Expert answer

Hi Richard,

It's never easy to predict such things, but it's likely that the Subaru would just beat the Skoda to the top spot on this occasion. They're very close in reality.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Deb,

There are loads of four-door city cars that would fit in that space that have ISOFIX, but the problem then is fitting a big travel system buggy into them! I myself have two kids so I understand the challenges...

Some good city cars to consider include the funky new SEAT Mii/Skoda Citigo/Volkswagen up! triplets and the Fiat Panda. They're as narrow as you get really.

Just so happens I have a Mii on test this week and our Quinny Buzz buggy folds in - with no space to spare of course.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Vincent,

That really sounds like you were sold a set of discs that are not up to standard. Bring the car back to where you had the work done for them to look at it. It may be possible to skim them.

Hope that helps