Author Archives: Justin Smith

There are mini motors. Then there are super-minis. One of these, hailing from the continental construction factories of the French, is the awesome Peugeot 207. With a production run that started in 2006 and finished in 2014, this is a good value car that has what it takes to wear the big trousers created by the very popular 206.

Using a modified platform originally created for the Citroen C3, the 207 was built for city motoring with 3 engine sizes on offer, including 1.4 and 1.6 litre engines, with the option to go turbo-charged and inter-cooled if you want high end motoring in a short-frame car.

Even though this little car is very reliable, it doesn’t get away without any problems. Before you part with your money for a second-hand vehicle, consider our list of faults to ensure you don’t end up with a lemon. Continue reading →

The Chrysler Voyager is a popular vehicle that’s great on the road and offers seven seats of passenger space with an ample boot at the rear. It’s not going to win any prizes for good looks, but when it comes to carrying power it’s up there with some of the best.

First introduced by Chrysler in 1984, this model became a stalwart of the range in the US before it was released in the EU in 1988 and has undergone a slight rebrand in recent years as the Grand Voyager. It is a well-engineered car that makes a great second-hand purchase. However, you should be aware of several known faults with the car. Continue reading →

Large, relaxed, fit for a family. Spacious motoring is available in the form of the Renault Laguna, which gives you ample room for everything from hauling hardware from the DIY store to taking the dogs down to the forest for a day. This great French motor had facelifts in 2001 and 2008, giving you a choice of styles if you want a vintage or retro flavour.

Buying any second-hand car can be a process fraught with difficulty, especially if you have very little or no mechanical knowledge. Fortunately we have compiled a listing of the most common issues, giving you a suspect problems cheat sheet that you’ll want to avoid when looking for a decent buy. Continue reading →

Want something super quick and stylish to get you round town? The Peugeot 206 could be the very thing you need with its continental stylings, which was created as an evolution of the best-selling 205. It has been a continual hit with motorists, selling over 8,000,000 vehicles in a production run that lasted from 1998 to 2016.

Chances are that you can now pick up a 206 at a very attractive price and get yourself a quality car that’s good on the pocket and great for fuel economy straight off the web or the second-hand lot. But what are the dangers and pitfalls you need to watch out for? Continue reading →

Go back 30 years and the thought of Skoda producing a luxury car would be beyond comprehension. Now the Superb has put all doubts to rest making a serious and affordable entry into the large family and executive car market. And to really silence all the critics, it has a great standard of engineering to back up its stylish and imposing profile.

However, as with all cars it is not immune to problems and faults and there are several danger signs that any buyer should watch out for when on the scout for a quality second hand vehicle. Use this list of issues to check you don’t get caught out. Continue reading →

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 →