Is this one-year-old Meriva a good buy?

Am I wise to go for an 2011 Meriva 1.4T 140 for £7795 from Motorpoint, including trade in for my old Tacuma? It seems to tick all the family's boxes but I never thought I could get a suitable one-year-old...

Are there any known faults with the Mercedes-Benz SLK 320?

I have seen a 2001 Mercedes SLK 320 for sale with 53,000 miles, two owners and FSH for £6495. Can you tell me if this is a fair price and what are the most common faults are with this car? It would be...

I want to buy a Mini Cooper S - should I get an older car with lower mileage or a newer car with higher mileage?

I'm looking to buy a used Mini Cooper S JCW, and have found two that meet my budget and spec on Mini’s approved site. They are the same price, but one is one year old with 8500 on the clock, while the...

Thinking of buying a secondhand diesel - when did DPFs and DMFs appear?

I am driving a 2004 Ford C-Max 1.6 diesel which is giving excellent service and fuel economy. I will keep it for a year or two longer, but I wonder about its replacement. If buying secondhand cars, it...

Which family car would you recommend?

My nephew has asked me for advice on buying a family car. He is going to test drive a 2001 Honda Civic 1.6SE auto which has had one owner and has 100,000 miles on the clock. They will also look at a Fiesta...

Dealer sold a faulty car - does "sold as seen" apply?

A colleague purchased a 2007 car three months ago from an independent motor trader. Last weekend the engine fell out, causing extensive damage and leaving him out of pocket and without a car. He has asked...

Is this Mercedes-Benz E-Class likely to be a money pit?

I have been offered a 1999 Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI Avantgarde with 63,000 on the clock. One previous owner with full main dealer service history for £2400. The interior is leather and in excellent condition,...

How can I get a cheap Lexus?

Your correspondent who buys cars with high depreciation is on the right track, but I've refined the idea even further. Go to your local Lexus dealer and ask them for the name of the local independent car...

Should I buy a cheaper Aston Martin from a non-franchised dealer?

I am about to buy an Aston Martin V8 Vantage. I have a choice of two almost identical cars with full service history and with 16,000 and 18,000 miles on them. One is with an Aston Martin dealer and is...

Should I be wary of a 2011 Mondeo with a 2010 paint colour?

I am considering a 2-litre diesel 140 automatic Mondeo Titanium X from a large dealership. The car is on a 61 plate but the body colour has been omitted from the Ford brochure since August 2010. The car...