Category Archives: Cars

Are you ready to ride the urban strip? Want a car that gives you continental cool with a whole trunk-load of space and usability? Well you could do a whole lot worse than the Renault Scénic. This small French multi-purpose vehicle took the kingdom of the road by storm when it won the 1997 European Car of the Year on its release. And there’s been no stopping it ever since.

Even though it’s without question a great buy for a second family car or first car for a young motorist, you can still get caught out with a duff model if you don’t quite know what you’re looking out for on the test drive. That’s why we’ve put help at your fingertips with our common problems guide. Continue reading →

Want a mid-size luxury car that does the business with a ton of space? This German engineered car is sold under the Vauxhall badge in the UK and has what it takes to haul you and the kids and a ton of other stuff from A to B in considerable luxury and style. Available in saloon, hatchback, estate and cross-over estate variants, you’re looking at a good on the road vehicle that combines utility and power.

Want to buy a second-hand Vauxhall Insignia? These cars are definitely a good investment and won’t break the bank by any stretch of the imagination. However, even with their Teutonic origins they are still prone to several widespread faults. Keep your eyes open for the following… Continue reading →

Believe it or not, the Subaru Impreza has a legacy stretching back all the way to 1992. If that doesn’t make you feel old, then realise that this vehicle is now on its fifth generation, making it a true stalwart of the Subaru range. Included in its evolution are the famous World Rally Experimental (WRX) cars that have always been extremely popular and desirable.

The Impreza is a quality car that embodies the best in Japanese motoring. A good buy that’s available in enough flavours for there to be something in the range to satisfy just about anybody. However, as with all cars it is not immune to faults, so here are some of the main red flags to look out for when on the hunt for a second hand Impreza. Continue reading →

If you want a good second-hand car that has very few problems and won’t scorch your bank balance then why not look at the Suzuki Swift? This little compact has sat happily at the lower end of the manufacturer’s range since 1985, providing drivers with 3 and 5 door hatchback action.

Known for their economical 1.3 and 1.5 litre engines, this Suzuki won’t break the bank on running costs either. Thinking of investing in one? Even though they are up there on the reliability charts, there are still a few issues that are widely reported and could impact a buying decision. Continue reading →

The Skoda Octavia is a popular car that’s has its fans in taxi firms all over the UK as well as police departments. According to many motoring journalists, this is the car that killed Skoda’s reputation as a poor Eastern Block cousin of the American and Japanese makes and firmly cemented it as a quality contender in Western markets.

Expect consistent engineering from the Octavia, although due to its workhorse like nature you may find many vehicles on the used-car market have a number of miles on the clock. Take the time to perform the following checks to ensure your second-hand Skoda hits the mark. Continue reading →

The Porsche Boxster is an affordable, sexy and stylish sports car that has what it takes to turn heads without making the outlandish cry for attention associated with Ferraris or Lamborghinis. The car is a powerful, mid-engine roadster that is the first vehicle of its kind to be created by the German manufacturer since the Spyder 550.

If you want a great sports car on a budget, then opting for a second-hand Boxster could well be the answer. However, with all used cars make sure you give it a total once over before buying – and to help you on your mission we have created this easy to use problem guide. Continue reading →

Nissan is a well-respected Japanese car manufacturer. They have had some hits with big cars like the Skyline as well as smaller city faring vehicles like the Nissan Micra. With over three decades of history under its wheels, this is one car that is both economical to run and simple to drive.

If you are thinking of purchasing a second-hand Nissan Micra, then what are the potential faults? In this article, we explore some of the widely reported issues. Continue reading →

Originally starting life as the Vauxhall Nova, the Corsa is one of the classic vehicles of our time. There are millions of Corsas on the city and country roads of Europe, as it has become one of the best-selling cars of all time.

The second edition of the vehicle, available as small city run-around, announced the Corsa to a global market and there have been no signs of its popularity waning since.

Want to buy a second-hand Vauxhall Corsa? As with all used cars, there are many problems that you’ll need to avoid. In this article, we list some of the most common issues helping inform and guide your purchase. Continue reading →

The Renault Clio is a so-called supermini that was released by the French manufacturer way back in 1990. Since then it has been one of Europe’s top selling cars thanks to its quality engineering, sleek design and front wheel drive set up. Interestingly, alongside the Opel Astra and VW Golf it is one of the only cars to be awarded European Car of the Year twice.

Buying any second-hand car can be a process beset on all sides by difficulties. It is hard enough dealing with the negotiation process, so we have created a handy guide to take you through the most commonly occurring problems with the Clio. Continue reading →

Want a combination of luxury and solid motoring? You could do a whole lot worse than looking at the Volvo S40. This strong and very solid vehicle gives you a professional edge, loads of space and a cool profile that is available in a whole range of different models.

There’s nothing quite like a Volvo when it comes to safety, but this doesn’t mean it’s immune to problems and issues. If you’re considering purchasing a used S40 then you should be aware of the following widely known faults. Continue reading →