Author Archives: Justin Smith

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 →

Got a family you want to get about? The Ford Galaxy is an attractive proposition with a load of seats, a ton of space and some hefty head and foot-room. If you want comfort in your motoring at the expense of sleek and sporty style, then this could well be the vehicle to suit your needs.

Still when it comes to purchasing a Ford Galaxy there are a number of faults that could catch you out. Most of them are concentrated around the electrical systems, giving you the following warning signs, which should make you think twice about a purchase. 

Small motoring is the perfect solution for crowded city streets and Ford’s entry into the conversation is the Ka. This diminutive run-around has everything you could possibly want in terms of a fast acceleration factor combined with the size to just nip into that little space.

Whether you are considering a Ka for a first car for your son or daughter, or want a second car for those economical trips to the shops or city there are several pitfalls that could beset any second-hand model.

When it was launched in 2004, the BMW 1 Series took the mantle of the 3 Series as the manufacturer’s most economical car. As a result, these cars are rather well pursued on the desirability front, combining good looks with great driveability.

With a real sporty feel behind the wheel and the classic BMW styling, this is a great car that will keep its value for years. Even with the rear wheel drive set-up it manages to offer a consistent ride quality throughout its years. However, like all vehicles, it is not completely rattle-free and there are many known issues to watch out for when purchasing a second-hand model. Continue reading →

The Ford C-Max is a compact car that’s been rolling off the Ford production lines since 2003. Available as a standard five door model it has a simple front engine, front wheel drive system that’s great on the road and gives the car a good balance of fuel economy, space and handling.

Based on the Ford Focus, the C-Max is a great car that holds its value nicely within the second-hand market. There are tons of spare parts available and like many Fords, it doesn’t suffer from too many faults. However, there are a few danger signs you should be aware of when looking at buying a second-hand model. Continue reading →