May 2024

Scoodle

Hi.

I'm considering buying a 2020 Grandland X, 1.2, 24K miles, FSH. I am aware of the horror stories regarding the 'wet cam belt' design in these engines, which is also used in various Peugeot and Citroen models, for example. It seems pretty clear that there IS an 'issue', with early 'wet' cam belts - say 2017-2019 models? - being susceptible to deterioration and breaking up, allowing the resulting particles to block the oil pick-up pipe; no need to mention what this can do. What I don't know is whether this issue has now been resolved?... Read more

Halmerend

Totally agree, with a turbo and wet belt it’s vital that the car is maintained to manufacturer recommendations.

Beth Swait

Hi, I am looking into getting a used Ford Connect as I have previously had several Ford Cars and really rate them. However I have been warned to avoid those with a wet belt, (for reasons I have researched) but I am struggling to find a way to tell which do and which don't. My local garage suggested it is only in the Eco range, is this correct?

... Read more

Dave N

Connect diesel isnt wet belt. Petrol is though.

Mich52

I'm a lone shy woman and I don't have anyone with car knowledge to go with me to buy a car. My 17 yo Citroen C1 Cool is on its last legs and I need another! I know the car I'd like (Toyota X), but it's so daunting to buy one. I just don't think the sales guys take me serious when I go.

My budget is max £13k which I have saved for these past 17 years. Any advice please/or car make suggestions? ??. I just want a good reliable car of course, as I've had to pay £500 on my current one for one thing or another and I don't think it's right to keep paying so much on an old jalopy! ... Read more

Falkirk Bairn

Over 40 new / nearly new cars in 57 years of driving.

1995 - complete change from the usual Ford/Vauxhall/Peugeot - our 1st Japanese car (made in USA) sold 2003 93K and really no repairs and "never left at the roadside"...

JadeT

We're looking at getting a 7 seater automatic MPV and I was considering the S Max or Grand C Max but obviously Google has horror stories about the Powershift transmission. Just wondering whether there are any versions that are more reliable, or whether people say it's a blanket no to all. I would only be buying a vehicle with a service history with receipts, and I've had DSGs for years with no issues so am well versed in the importance of maintenance schedules for "problematic" gearboxes. Obviously the risk is not knowing what's come before - would there be recommendations on what to look for in test drives?

We're a family of 5 and often need space for friends/family, and I'm restricted by an automatic license so no real leeway on the requirements (I dislike SUV types). I was originally looking at the Touran and the C4 Spacetourer but have seen a few Fords that looked decent nearby. If it's a definite no to Powershift in all cases then I'll stick with leaning towards the Citroen, which no doubt has its own problems. Read more

SLO76

I’m not convinced by the newer (also Fiat designed) 1.6 diesel either, I’ve heard too many problems with them. Good friend at work had to put a second hand engine in his Astra at less than 100,000 miles with said engine despite a full service history. Ask anyone that’s tried using one as a taxi in a Zafira or an Insignia and you’ll usually hear plenty of expensive misery.

peanutstew

Hi

... Read more

badbusdriver

Another fan of the Jogger here, possibly the ideal family car for those on a budget (and who don't feel the need for excessive amounts of power and/or a prestige badge!)

Re ground clearance, the info I can find says 200mm for the Jogger and 205mm for the Duster, so very little difference. ...

UncleBlobby

Like most people I know I was hanging on to my 10 year old diesel KIA as long as possible having heard how bad the UK car market is today. Sadly someone driving on wrong side of road hit me head on writing the car off and nearly killing me just before Christmas. 4 months and a lot of hospital time later I've received 3K for my old car from the insurers and need to replace it as it was written off. I've had terrible issues with second hand cars in the past and have bought ex demo cars from dealerships to avoid this for the last 20 years with success. However, I visited a few of the cheaper local dealers (Kia, Skoda, Ford) and the prices of new or nearly new budget cars is now insane (30-40k new, not much cheaper for ex demos). All dealers try and push EVs, I don't want an EV. Or they try and push hybrids, see EVs. Most dealers no longer even know the actual price of their cars and instead quote monthly payments under PCP deals that benefit only the dealer not the buyer. Most dealers I visited were empty of customers as a result. I'm desperate for a new car living in a village with no public transport and I need it for work. But it's been so disheartening I've given up trying. My wife and I both work full time on professional salaries and we cant even afford a budget brand, How other people manage I've no idea?

I'd welcome recommendations for any dealer or car make that was different? By different I mean doesn't push what customers don't want, doesn't only offer good deals to PCP customers and welcomes someone who can afford to pay cash by offering them good deals on diesel/petrol cars.... Read more

Dover Cliff

One of these maybe;

Hyundai i30 Estate...

Richard Burroughs

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a Automatic SUV and was looking at this Mazda CX-5, Its top trim but has over 100k miles but will full main dealership history and is only 5 years old (2019). What are your thoughts? Would there be alot of service stuff to pay as it done over 100k? Sorry i'm not very experienced on this.... Read more

Engineer Andy

A shame that Mazda main dealers tend to be so variable in quality on the post-sales front.

Can that not be said about all makes though?...

chesterfieldhouse

l know it's a case of test driving however, l would be interested in peoples opinion.

The SX4 S-Cross is a car, on paper, l like. It's not full of technology & seems to have a overall good reputation. Like others, these days l'm not willing to shell out too much on a car & want to keep things relatively simple. l don't want the complications of the Allgrip 4 wheel drive in the later 1.4, so that leaves the older N/A 1.6 & the 1 litre Boosterjet. Both have similar power, mpg etc with the 3 cylinder having the edge on torques. ... Read more

galileo

Its generally accepted in automotive engineering that, all things being equal, increasing engine Specific Output (kW output power per litre of displacement) will negatively affect durability and reliability. That is because the engine will be operating with higher pressures loads and temperatures. A small forced-induction engine is typically going to deliver 30%+ higher Specific Output than a NA equivalent. And then of course the turbo engine will have many additional components. So as a rule of thumb a bigger naturally aspirated engine is a better choice if you're concerned about long life and reliability.

I worked for 36 years at a turbo manufacturer, which experimented with passenger car turbos but concluded it was a better plan to stay with the type of diesel used in trucks, buses, and industrial gen sets, where weight and packaging factors were less restricting. A significant improvement they made was to variable geometry turbocharging....

SLO76

As much as I like cars and motoring I’m struggling remember the last car I had a serious want for, something I really hankered after. Is it just age? Do we all lose interest as we get older or have cars become soulless machines filled with unnecessary gadgets and lacking in any real joy?

I’ve always liked hot hatches, ask me what my favourite car is at almost any point in my life and a fun to drive yet useful family hot hatch of some sort would pop to mind immediately. Peugeot 306 GTi-6, Citroen ZX Volcane, Renault 19 16v, Renault Clio 16v, Honda Civic Type R EP3, Peugeot 205 GTi, Metro GTi were all a hoot on a twisty B road yet affordable to ordinary folks like me. They weren’t over endowed with too much power, they didn’t come with feel sapping electric steering racks that sucked the fun out of driving. They were usable, fun and practical. They generated a smile on your face.

Ask that question today and I’m at a loss to answer it, I really can’t think of a single car I really lust after. I mean I respect many modern cars, I like my C Class estate and same goes for our Nissan Leaf, both are very efficient and surprisingly quick but I’ve no real interest in them, I won’t be found out in the garage polishing them every other night like my dad did with his long line of interesting cars while I was growing up and I don’t just go out for drive for the sake of it anymore. They’re appliances.

Hot hatches today are overpowered, ludicrously overpriced and unattainable for ordinary people. A Type R Honda Civic comes in at almost £50k, a fast A class Merc is over £60k! There is no real world hot hatch offerings left. SAIC make a stupidly fast electric MG4, but it’s absolutely numb to drive as per the norm with EV’s, fast but no fun in the twists where a good hot hatch should shine, outright speed had nothing to do with it.

I think the last car I really fancied was my neighbours bright red Fiat 500 Arbath, but it’s a bit too small to work for us even as a second car. Beyond that I’m drifting back to the early naughties or even the 90’s. I’ve driven a recent Golf GTi and found it no fun at all. Very efficient, quick and refined but it just wasn’t fun.

Bring back the fun. Even car adverts and motor shows are largely gone, cars are a financial product you rent to get you from A to B as dispassionately as possible. They don’t stir the soul. Maybe I need to finally get my bike license.

If asked today what your favourite current car is what would be your answer? I have none to give, no recent cars give me the fizz (as James May says) nothing stirs me at all. I don’t even think they still make the Fiat 500 Arbath petrol with a manual box, I believe it’s an EV shopping trolly now sadly. I’ve so little interest I don’t even add to my huge collection of What Car and Autocar mags, nothing of interest ever provokes me enough to buy a copy. Read more

gordon115

My wife has a 2014 Swift sport. We've had it 9 years.

Great fun and mega reliable....

Jillbo

We've received a VARS drive off notice from a petrol station in Bristol we've never been to. We live in Devon and were in Exeter for a hospital appointment on 11th April, the date in question. So it definitely wasn't us. The CCTV photo is useless - its the same model and colour, but you can't read the number plate at all. They maintain it is us, and we're responsible for paying the fuel (only £25 but its the principle!). They won't provide a better image because of GDPR but they want us to provide photos of our car.

If we don't pay up within 14 days they start escalating fees and threatening debt collection. Help!? Read more

Middleman

Agreed.

All they have is a photo of a car which they say is yours. Even if it is, they have no idea who was driving it (and hence who allegedly made off without payment)....