Author Archives: Justin Smith

The Audi TT is an iconic vehicle, with some saying it takes more than a slice of inspiration from the VW Beetle. Audi are staying quite tight lipped about the car’s origins, although we can be sure that it is named after the famous Isle of Man TT race.

Originally manufactured as a 2 door coupe, this car is a fast roadster available as a nippy 1.8L all the way up to a top of the range 3.2L, which will chew up the motorways. And of course, as an Audi is brand you can trust, the TT is a very good second hand investment. Thinking of purchasing one? Check out this article to make sure you avoid some of the most common problems known to beset this model of car. Continue reading →

Want a decent 4×4? Why not take a look at what BMW have to offer in the form of the X5, a competent mid-range SUV. Available in both automatic and manual variations, this sporty yet practical car has been a favourite for both country dwellers who need a bit of power on the dirt roads and urbanites looking to make that strong impression.

If you are considering purchasing a second hand X5, be aware of these warning signs. Whilst the car is generally considered a safe investment, there are a number of widely reported problems that you need to guard against. Continue reading →

The Audi A3 is a quality small car that gives you the best of Audi’s engineering in a city run around that’s both agile and quick to accelerate. Perfect for a second car or for a younger driver who’s after their first vehicle, the Audi A3 is resilient and operates well in tough conditions.

If you are considering purchasing an Audi A3, then what are some of the most common problems you need to be aware of before parting with your money? Continue reading →

The Ford Mondeo is one of this manufacturer’s most successful and iconic models, which took over from the Ford Cortina as the flagship four door sedan car. It has seen many iterations, including a highly popular estate car and you’ll still see many of these vehicle on the roads today.

It is a very well-engineered car that has a small number of reported faults given the high numbers sold over the years. With good reliability and satisfaction scores, it makes for a decent second hand car. If you are thinking of purchasing a Ford Mondeo, make sure you check with our list of commonly occurring problems. Continue reading →

The Audi A6 is a comfortable executive car made by the well-known German manufacturer with a focus on comfort and ride quality. It is the evolution of the famous Audi 100, a popular car with businessmen in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Offering 4 wheel drive as standard, this is a powerful vehicle that is good for both long distance motoring and city sprints.

If you are thinking of purchasing a second hand Audi A6, you should be aware of a number of issue have been reported with this car. Continue reading →

The Volkswagen Passat is a great family car that’s perfect for hauling around the kids on a Saturday afternoon or taking the big shop home from the supermarket on a Thursday night. It has been one of the stalwarts of the manufacturer’s range, with the first models going on sale as far back as 1973.

As with many cars from this manufacturer, the Passat is definitely built to last. You’ll get years of happy motoring out of a new car and therefore a second hand vehicle is a good investment. However, there are a few faults that you should be aware of before you part with your money in a private sale or at the dealer’s yard. Continue reading →

The Honda CR-V has now been a feature on the UK’s roads since 1995. This compact and reliable cross-over utilises the popular Honda Civic platform to create a slightly more spacious car that the manufacturer refers to as a sport utility vehicle. However you want to describe it, this is a good choice for both urban life and the country road making it a versatile run around for many motorists.

Like most Honda cars, the CR-V is a robust build that has the structure to survive many years of use. A quality that makes it a popular shout for a second hand city car. If you’re thinking of going down this route, keep a look out for the following common problems: Continue reading →

The Vauxhall Astra is one of the most easily recognised cars from this popular manufacturer on UK roads. It started life in 1979 and was the first Vauxhall to utilise front wheel drive, making it an excellent alternative to the VW Golf.

Available in hatchback and estate versions, the Astra is a durable car that has the power to last through the years and is not too money hungry when it comes to servicing. It’s a great choice for a second hand car, but make sure you do the due diligence and go through some of the checks listed in this article: Continue reading →