Innholdsfortegnelse for 1440 i Auto Express

EVERYONE loves a used car bargain, and this week we honour the models we think make the best second-hand choices of all. Our Used Car Awards showcase some great buys from only £3,000. Without giving the results away, one brand that has fared pretty well is Kia. And a big part of that is down to its warranty. Buy approved used and you get seven years and 100,000 miles of cover. Buy elsewhere and you’ll get what’s left of the car’s original seven-year warranty. Pretty impressive, eh? It’s clear it’s helped underpin the brand’s rise to prominence in recent years, a fact acknowledged by Kia Europe COO Michael Cole when I met him this week. Cole was MD of Kia UK when the cover was introduced in 2010 and admits…

THE AMG GT R is crammed with racing technology. In fact, Mercedes-AMG promises that it has never packed so much motorsport expertise into a car before. To see exactly what the engineers from Affalterbach have come up with, we’ve travelled to Germany’s legendary Nürburgring to sample AMG’s wildest sports car from the passenger seat. Our driver for the day is Thomas Jäger, who’s spent a lot of time at the circuit developing this car, and whose CV is littered with 24-hour and endurance race wins. As qualifications for creating AMG’s most hardcore offering go, his are pretty convincing. Visually, the newcomer is quite distinct from its Mercedes-AMG GT S cousin, thanks to aerodynamic revisions and the need to cover a wider track. The front wings are made from carbon fibre,…

IF your supercar gets damaged, what replacement hire car are you entitled to under your insurance? A recent court ruling suggests if your McLaren 12C gets scratched, your two Aston Martins in the garage just won’t cut it. Normal laws dictate if a driver has an accident, they’ll need an equivalent rental while repairs are being done. But insurers won’t pay up if the car you rent is above and beyond what’s required. So the owner of the McLaren – which was hit by a tractor – said a Ferrari as a courtesy car was fair, but when this wasn’t provided after two months, he rented a Mercedes SLS AMG and billed the tractor driver’s insurer. The firm refused to pay as it said he had other cars to drive…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor LONG-running readers of Auto Express know that along with bringing you industry-first news and the latest reviews, we like to push the boundaries with some unusual features. The library of old back issues, neatly organised in maroon-coloured leather binders in the Auto Express office, is a treasure trove of mad and wacky stunts over the past 28 years. Pitching a car against a bike is a favourite theme, but just as a Hollywood movie-trailer narrator would say: “We’ve never raced an aeroplane… until now.” So when the call came in asking whether we’d like to race our own plane, the answer was an emphatic ‘yes’. The man suitable for the job would have to be quick, professional and able to make a car dance around a track. Chief…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan WE tested the ever-so-slightly more popular five-seat version of Renault’s all-new Scenic in Issue 1,439, and now it’s the turn of the £1,400 more expensive seven-seat Grand Scenic. We’re trying it for the first time in range-topping dCi 160 guise, with the electronic dual clutch (EDC) automatic box, to see if it’s worth cancelling that Citroen Grand C4 Picasso order. The Grand Scenic is all about extra length – all 228mm of it, to be exact. Only 70mm of that goes into the wheelbase; the rest extends the rear overhang. You can guess the benefits: either an extra pair of seats that sprout from the boot floor, or 596 litres of load capacity if you fold them down electrically using the (optional) buttons in the boot or via…

THE Ford Fiesta is our favourite second-hand supermini once again. But that’s hardly surprising when you consider that Ford has taken 40 years to perfect this best-of-all-worlds runaround. It’s resulted in a supermini that ticks all the right boxes; with its rakish good looks and spacious, well specced cabin, it’s fantastic to drive and also cheap to run. Of course, the Fiesta is also Britain’s best-selling new car, so there’s plenty of used stock for buyers to choose from. And with a huge range of trim levels, plus a choice of three and five-door bodystyles, there really is a car to suit every taste. The sheer volume of Fords on the road means servicing tends to be good value, too, and there’s no shortage of specialists equipped to carry out…

USED CAR AWARDS WINNER 2016 BEST ESTATE CAR SKODA SUPERB Mk2 EXPERT INSIGHT “THE Skoda dealer network ranks very highly for the quality of its service in the Auto Express Driver Power survey, proving that the stigma once attached to the brand is now long gone. And when you add a low average repair cost of just under £400, the Superb Mk2 is a good choice for anyone wanting a midsized family car. Warrantywise sold 160 Superb extended warranties, and 40 per cent of policyholders made a claim.” IN this category, space reigns supreme – and few models offer more room than Skoda’s cavernous Superb Estate. But it’s not just about a big boot and vast cabin. The Superb is the ultimate all-rounder; it’s beautifully built, great to drive, well…

USED CAR AWARDS WINNER 2016 BEST COMPACT SUV KIA SPORTAGE Mk3 THE third-generation Kia Sportage was a huge hit when it was launched in 2011 thanks to its familyfriendly versatility and attractive chunky styling. Combine these two traits with Kia’s habit of offering a generous amount of standard kit on all of its cars, and that’s enough for the Sportage to be crowned our used compact SUV champ. And with the introduction of an all-new Sportage earlier this year, the third generation is now an even more tempting buy. Prices for used examples start from just under £8,000 for a 2010 car, although if you budget just over £12,000 you’ll get yourself a newer model with plenty of kit. Kia’s simple 1,2, 3, 4 trim numbering means it’s easy to…

USED CAR AWARDS WINNER 2016 BEST EXECUTIVE CAR AUDI A6 Mk4 EXPERT INSIGHT “AUDI seems to have its gearbox issues under control and the A6 makes a great used buy. Just ensure the servicing is up to date. The brand has recently put a big effort into improving the service standards of its repair network, which we’ve seen first hand at Warrantywise. The biggest issues are various electrical sensors, but they should be an easy fix. According to our stats, 51 per cent of cars make a claim for a repair, and the average cost of a fix is £654.” AUDI has a reputation for following the path of evolution, rather than revolution, with the design of its cars, and this is certainly true of the A6. The fourth-generation executive…

USED CAR AWARDS WINNER 2016 BEST CABRIOLET MAZDA MX-5 Mk3 EVEN though we’re heading towards autumn, this is still a good time to take the plunge on a used Mazda MX-5. The arrival last year of an all-new Mk4 model means the talented third generation looks better value than ever. Prices start at just £3,000, and for this amount, you’ll get one of the most engaging drop-tops on the road. Spend a little more and you can have the keys to one of the post-2010 facelift models that benefit from slightly sharper looks and even more standard kit. The later car was also available in RC guise with a novel powered folding hard-top. This set-up weighed a little more than the fabric roof, yet boosted security and refinement. However, we’d…

USED CAR AWARDS WINNER 2016 BEST GREEN CAR NISSAN LEAF EXPERT INSIGHT SALES of electric cars rocketed from just over 3,500 in 2013 to more than 14,500 in 2014. We’re now seeing these two-year-old cars hitting BuyaCar.co.uk. This includes many of the 4,051 Leafs sold in 2014, which start at less than £9,000. Make sure you know what you’re getting: since April 2013, new Leafs could be bought outright or without batteries, which are then leased for a monthly fee.” LOOKING to go green? Electric cars have stronger eco credentials than most. And the good news is that there’s never been a better time to buy used. Not only are there more models than ever to choose from, the second-hand market is still unsure about zero emissions vehicles, meaning prices…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer SELLING a car can be just as difficult as buying one. There are various ways to go about it, from part-exchange to mobile apps, each with their own pros and cons. As with buying, knowing these can make all the difference to ensuring you get the best deal. A recent poll on the Auto Express website highlighted that consumers are split when it comes to the best method of selling a car. So, when a staff member at the magazine decided to sell his own 2007 SEAT Leon, we tried out four of the most popular ways, ranking the pluses and minuses of each. First, to get an idea of the kind of money we should be asking for, we compared our Leon to those already on sale.…

IN the six years since its launch, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta has only had one round of minor changes, in 2014. In that time we’ve seen all-new versions of the SEAT Leon and Kia Cee’d appear, with the latter even receiving a mid-life facelift. So a thorough going over for the Alfa is long overdue, prompted by the arrival of the new Giulia saloon. Along with the forthcoming Stelvio SUV, that model will be key to relaunching the brand in the US. But Europe and the UK in particular still love their hatchbacks, so the facelifted Giulietta is an important car in Alfa’s quest to reach 400,000 sales per year by 2018. As a result, the Giulietta looks more like its new saloon cousin, but don’t expect a complete overhaul…

Testers’ notes “The Leon’s standard XDS electronic differential does a better job than the Alfa’s Q2 equivalent. There’s more grip and understeer is controlled more effectively in the SEAT when it does show. Yet you wouldn’t know it, because the way the XDS system works is nowhere near as intrusive. In the Giulietta, you can feel the set-up applying the brakes strongly; in the SEAT it’s much smoother, which makes for more relaxed, safer progress.” James Disdale Chief reviewer HAVING taken the Best Compact Family Car crown at the Auto Express New Car Awards for three years in a row from 2013-15, the SEAT Leon is a firm favourite. In SE Dynamic Technology trim it rivals the Alfa for sporty appeal, driving dynamics and, with the 1.6-litre turbodiesel, efficiency. Our…

Pete_Gibson@dennis.co.uk THE Renault Kadjar has notched up plenty of victories in Auto Express road tests, seeing off many of its major rivals in the process. But earlier this year, Renault and the Kadjar edged themselves ahead of the competition when it comes to ownership. In the Auto Express Driver Power survey, the Kadjar was voted the best SUV to live with by our readers, while the French brand’s network of garages topped our 2016 car dealer rankings. So with ‘my’ Kadjar now having covered 18,906 miles and due its first service, we headed to Glyn Hopkin Renault in Chelmsford, Essex, for its first round of routine maintenance so I could experience first-hand what puts Renault’s dealers top of the pile. The first impressive thing is that the Kadjar’s 18,000-mile service…

“Despite the lower roofline, Honda claims there is more room inside the new Civic than before” Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram FOLLOWING months of teaser images, concept cars and spy shots, the allnew 10th-generation Honda Civic has finally been revealed. The five-door hatchback goes on sale in the US this week, before UK sales start in early 2017. It will make its world debut at next week’s Paris Motor Show. Honda claims the all-new Civic represents a significant step forward for the brand, with the new car benefiting from the largest single model development programme in the company’s history. At launch, the Ford Focus rival will be offered with a choice of two all-new turbocharged petrol engines, although initially there’s no diesel. Honda predicts the best seller will be the 127bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder…

IT’S often the draw of new technology that tempts motorists into a dealer to buy a shiny new car. That was certainly true for reader Dougie Miller of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, whose 16-plate Nissan Pulsar Tekna was advertised with the promise of “advanced on-board innovation” and “super intuitive” navigation – thanks to its NissanConnect system, which also features on the likes of the Micra, Juke, and Qashqai. Dougie told Auto Express he was therefore shocked to find it came with a sat-nav system pre-loaded with three-year-old maps. “I realised this soon after collecting the car,” Dougie explained. “After a long drive to Edinburgh, we noticed a few roads not on the maps. I discovered the map data is from 2013 and couldn’t believe it.” He complained to supplying dealer Parks Nissan…

“Air-suspension meant our car felt composed over all but the worst bumps” John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy PLUG-IN hybrids are really starting to break through into the mainstream, after many years as little more than a niche choice. The BMW 330e is bringing plug-in tech to the small executive class – and now we’ve had a chance to try one of its main rivals, the Mercedes C 350e, on UK roads. The C 350e takes the existing C-Class but makes use of electric power to deliver some tax-busting CO2 figures – precisely the sort of recipe that can appeal to company car buyers, who account for the sales of so many of these kind of vehicles. It mixes a 208bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an 80bhp electric motor. In combination, the two…

VAUXHALL’S biggest MPV, the Zafira Tourer, has been a big seller since it was launched in 2012. But with competition from smaller rivals like the Volkswagen Touran and Renault Grand Scenic (driven on Page 34), it’s time for a mid-life update. Gone is the distinctive boomerang front light arrangement of the old car, replaced by a neater – if less idiosyncratic – face that’s not a million miles from the latest Astra. It’s handsome enough, as large MPVs go. Inside, all the clever Flex7 seating technology and useful storage spaces remain. While there’s enough legroom in the middle row, the rearmost seats are best reserved for kids. Unlike rivals, ISOFIX points are on the two outer second-row seats only. The dashboard gets a noticeable update. The mass of buttons on…

EXPERT INSIGHT USED CAR AWARDS WINNER 2016 BEST PREMIUM SMALL CAR FIAT 500 “FIAT is taking a Porsche-like approach to updating the 500, with only minor tweaks over the years. That means used values will stay reasonably firm. The 500 has always been about style, though. It’s a bit short on space inside and the ride is a little firm, but it’s a fun car to own for not a lot of cash.” HERE’S a car that rose from the ashes of the Fiat archives to become one of Britain’s best-loved retro revivals – and it’s our favourite second-hand premium small car in this year’s Used Car Awards. Much like the MINI, which set the tone for these iconic, comeback cars, the Fiat 500 is simple and fun to drive,…

USED CAR AWARDS WINNER 2016 BEST FAMILY CAR VAUXHALL INSIGNIA “There’s a lot more to the Insignia than an eye-catching second-hand price tag” TRADITIONAL family cars have struggled in recent years, with buyers overlooking these hard-working machines in favour of more glamorous compact executives or rugged SUVs. Yet despite suffering from a showroom slump, models such as the Vauxhall Insignia still make a lot of sense, particularly for used buyers. With supply outstripping demand, secondhand forecourts are overflowing with lightly used examples that will save you thousands over list price. However, there’s far more to the Insignia than just an eye-catching price. For starters, the Vauxhall looks a lot sleeker than many of its mainstream rivals. It’s a similar story inside, where you’ll find the sort of fit and finish…

USED CAR AWARDS WINNER 2016 BEST LARGE SUV VOLVO XC90 Mk1 EXPERT INSIGHT “SIX years of use is nothing to a car that was built to survive a head-on collision with an elk. There are over a decade’s worth of used XC90s to choose from, too. You can expect some issues with older versions, but owners told Driver Power that electrical issues or worn upholstery are often easily fixable.” THE Volvo XC90 has been a staple of the school run since its launch back in 2002. And now that the second-generation version has established itself as a front-runner in the large SUV class, the original model is even more of a used car bargain. Thanks to the XC90’s longevity, there’s a wide range of cars on offer. There are mega-mileage…

USED CAR AWARDS WINNER 2016 BEST COUPE VOLKSWAGEN SCIROCCO FEW coupés are quite as versatile as the Volkswagen Scirocco. Like its eighties predecessor, the Scirocco is based on the same platform as the VW Golf, but while the original Scirocco had a radically different look to the hatch, the model launched in 2008 is more like a sporty compact variant of the Golf Mk5 on which it’s based. There’s space for four inside, although access to the back seats is tricky, so it’s better to think of the Scirocco as a two-seater with extra back seats for occasional use. Power comes from 1.4 and 2.0-litre petrol engines and a 2.0-litre diesel, but while the latter is an efficient choice, its extra weight blunts the Scirocco’s handling. If you want to…

USED CAR AWARDS WINNER 2016 BEST PERFORMANCE CAR FORD FIESTA ST THE Ford Fiesta doesn’t just make a great used buy as a supermini; it’s a top performance bargain, too. Fast and feisty, the Fiesta ST became an instant hot hatch hit when it arrived in 2014. Its popularity when new means there are lots of examples to choose from on used car forecourts, with prices now falling below the £10,000 mark for entry-level ST-1 models. Regardless of which trim level you choose, you’ll get the same muscular turbocharged 180bhp 1.6-litre engine and acrobatic handling. You’ll also benefit from the snappy six-speed gearbox and figure-hugging seats. On the move, few cars are as fun as the ST, and its performance will have contributed to the Fiesta’s 18th place finish for…

USED CAR AWARDS WINNER 2016 CAR OF THE YEAR KIA SPORTAGE Mk3 IT’S a double whammy for Kia in our 2016 awards. Not only has its Approved Used scheme picked up a trophy (Page 68), the Sportage is our Used Car of the Year. With its rakish looks, spacious cabin and low running costs, the third-generation SUV ticks all the boxes for buyers wanting a family car bargain. Plus, the brand’s industry-leading seven-year warranty brings new car peace of mind to the used market. The Mk3 Sportage is attractively priced, too; £8,000 is enough to get you behind the wheel of an early car. It’s likely to have high miles, but there shouldn’t be any mechanical worries, with owners placing the SUV well inside the top 50 for reliability in…

EVERY year in the UK, more than seven million used cars change hands. Some will be on their last legs; many will be as good as new. The problem for most buyers is that they don’t have the budget to purchase a new car, and don’t have the knowledge to buy a used model with confidence. In short, they’re worried they’ll land a banger rather than a minter. For more than a quarter of a century, there has been a solution: the approved used scheme. Vauxhall offered one of the first with its Network Q programme, launched in 1990. And rivals quickly jumped on the bandwagon; the Ford Direct scheme followed in 1994. The beauty of these manufacturer-backed set-ups is that they offer a vehicle that comes with most of…

ALFA Romeo is launching a big product offensive. Its new BMW 3 Series rival, the Giulia saloon, will hit the UK towards the end of the year, while there’s an all-new SUV in the pipeline for 2017. But the brand hasn’t forgotten the car that grew sales over recent years, so it’s also treated its Giulietta hatch to a round of updates. One of the big changes is that Alfa’s TCT dual-clutch gearbox is now available with the more efficient 1.6-litre turbodiesel, so it’s the £22,550 Giulietta Super 1.6 TCT that we sample here. STYLING 3.8/5 IN a fiercely competitive sector the Giulietta has always stood out for its style, and while Alfa has subtly updated the looks, it’s not gone so far as to risk what made the modern…

Testers’ notes “Mazda’s engineers developed the MX-5 around the smaller 1.5-litre engine, while the 2.0-litre was a bit of an afterthought to satisfy the North American market. Drive the lower-powered car, and it’s obviously the car the company spent its time on, as it feels lighter, while the zingy 1.5-litre engine revs with greater enthusiasm. The ride is more composed, too. If we were spending money on an MX-5, this is the one we’d pick.” James Disdale Chief reviewer THE Mazda MX-5 has been around for the best part of three decades and is the world’s best-selling roadster. Now in its fourth generation, the Japanese machine has stayed true to the original’s template of simple and affordable driving thrills. There’s a choice of 1.5 and 2.0-litre petrol engines and four…

“It’s one of the most relaxing cars we’ve ever had on fleet” James_Disdale@dennis.co.uk ARE you sitting comfortably? Well I certainly am, so let me begin. You see, after nine months behind the wheel of our Discovery Sport, I’ve got used to emerging from journeys feeling as fresh as when I set off. In recent years, we’ve become accustomed to cars with good driving positions, but even by current standards, the Land Rover is supremely comfortable. In fact, I’d go as far as to say it’s one of the most relaxing machines we’ve had on our fleet over the last decade. Part of this is down to the relationship between the seat and steering wheel, both of which give more than enough adjustment to accommodate a wide range of body shapes…

NEW PRODUCT ValetPRO Foam Blaster Price: £94.99 Rating:⋆⋆⋆ Contact: www.cleanandshiny.co.uk USING a snow foam when washing your car reduces the risk of dragging damaging grit across the paintwork, but to apply it has always required a pressure washer, or at the very least a hose. But thanks to ValetPRO, these are no longer needed – as it has launched the Foam Blaster. Snow foam not only looks spectacular when applied, as it turns any car a brilliant white, but it also has practical advantages. That’s because the soap clings to the body panels, allowing it to work on loosening grime for longer. Creating the thick layer of foam requires force, which usually comes from a pressure washer pumping water and soap through a lance. But with the Foam Blaster, you…

MITSUBISHI has revealed a brand new plug-in hybrid SUV concept, which will take pride of place on its Paris Motor Show stand next week. Called the GT-PHEV, which stands for Ground Tourer, it’s described as the “latest expression” of the brand’s design direction. The steeply raked windscreen and narrow glasshouse in these first pictures show a far more outlandish design approach than is currently seen on Mitsubishi’s production models. Key styling details such as the vertical lamp cluster and heavily chiselled side panels give the newcomer a very distinctive appearance. The front end also shares design cues with the XR PHEV II concept seen at the Geneva Motor Show in 2015. There are no cabin pictures yet, but Mitsubishi says the GT-PHEV Concept gets a “horizontal dashboard”, with a high…

Sean_Carson@dennis.co.uk @Sean_Carson_ PORSCHE has shown a chink in its armour in 2016 with the still brilliant but much less charismatic new four-cylinder 718 Cayman S. So if you’re looking for a compact performance coupé with an engine that offers real personality, the Audi TT RS offers a compelling alternative to its droning fellow VW Group stablemate. It’s fair to say that the previous TT RS wasn’t exactly a smash hit when it came to driving dynamics. However, with its sharper MQB chassis, this latest car promises more involving, agile handling, a substantial performance hike and even greater efficiency, all at the same time. The heart of the TT RS is its new 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine, which is 26kg lighter than before due to extensive use of aluminium. Thanks to…

EXPERT INSIGHT “IT doesn’t always ring true that a New Car Award winner makes our used list, but it’s hard to look past the Citigo. It provides a level of maturity to the city car sector that we would’ve thought impossible years ago. It’s comfortable and reasonably spacious, yet has the charm that a small car needs.” USED CAR AWARDS BEST CITY CAR SKODA CITIGO WINNER 2 SIZE clearly does matter to city car buyers, and Skoda’s tidy Citigo is the best of the bunch. This enormously popular pint-sized runaround is our city car champion in the Used Car Awards once again this year. Not only that, but it won the city car gong at our New Car Awards in July for the fifth consecutive year, while owners have heaped…

USED CAR AWARDS WINNER 2016 BEST COMPACT FAMILY HATCHBACK SEAT LEON Mk3 EXPERT INSIGHT “THE Leon is popular on BuyaCar.co.uk because people know they’re getting a cheaper and more stylish version of the VW Golf. It’s more likely to be trouble-free, too. In this year’s Driver Power survey, the Leon was ranked 63rd out of 150 for reliability; the Golf was 105th. There’s an updated version of the Leon due next year, so if you wait until then you may benefit from lower prices in the coming months.” THOSE wanting to combine the practicalities of a small family runaround with the sporty, rakish design cues of a hot hatch should look no further than the SEAT Leon. This car has refused to let go of its racy reputation, and that’s…

USED CAR AWARDS WINNER 2016 BEST SMALL SUV PEUGEOT 2008 EXPERT INSIGHT “THE 2008 is a great used buy, as long as you can live with the driving position. Peugeot has designed the dash so that the instruments are visible over the small steering wheel, not through it, so most people will need to move the wheel into their lap to see them. It can feel a bit awkward at first, but you soon get used to it.” THERE’S a wide range of choice in the small SUV and crossover class, but our used favourite delivers a decent mix of practicality, quality and low running costs. As its name suggests, the Peugeot 2008 is the sister car to the 208 supermini, and in essence it’s a stylish 4x4-style replacement for…

USED CAR AWARDS WINNER 2016 BEST COMPACT EXECUTIVE CAR BMW 3 SERIES F30 THE 3 Series has been a front-runner in the compact executive saloon class ever since the original was launched way back in 1975. The latest model, the F30, is the sixth generation and was introduced in 2012. With nearly 40 years of development history to fall back on, it’s arguably BMW’s best effort yet. It’s just been facelifted in 2016, too, so the first examples of the F30 are looking even more affordable. Thanks to sales figures that regularly place the 3 Series in the monthly top 10 of the charts, there are plenty of cars around, so you can afford to be choosy with the example you’re looking for. Prices start from well under £10,000 for…

USED CAR AWARDS WINNER 2016 BEST MPV SEAT ALHAMBRA Mk2 IF you’re looking to accommodate a growing family, few cars do it better than an MPV. And used buyers will find it hard to see past the cavernous SEAT Alhambra. A facelift earlier this year means that values of older models have started to slide, making the spacious seven-seater even more attractive and affordable. You certainly get a lot for your money with the Alhambra. Its upright and boxy body isn’t the last word in style, but it houses an interior that’s vast, neatly designed and packed with upmarket appeal. Access to the cabin is straightforward, thanks to the huge sliding side doors, and these are powered on flagship SE Lux versions. Once inside, you’ll find plenty of standard kit,…

USED CAR AWARDS WINNER 2016 BEST LUXURY CAR MERCEDES S-CLASS W221 EXPERT INSIGHT “THIS Mercedes ushered in a new era of quality and reliability for the brand. Due to the expensive nature of S-Class repairs, Warrantywise sells a lot of warranties for these highend Mercedes and the main area of payouts is for air-suspension issues, so check any potential used buy thoroughly. A total of 51 per cent of the S-Classes on cover needed a repair for something or other, so a secondhand car warranty makes sense.” THE Mercedes S-Class is more than just a luxury saloon; it can lay claim to the title of best car in the world. For more than half a century this imposing limo has set the standard for comfort, refinement, technology and safety. As…

Joe_Finnerty@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer WHETHER you’re buying a car through an approved used scheme, from an independent dealer or via a private seller, it can be a risky business. Every potential purchase is fraught with danger. Yet although this will always be the case, there are plenty of things you can do to mitigate against making a purchase you’ll regret. Auto Express met with CAP HPI retail and consumer specialist Philip Nothard at Specialist Cars in Stoke-on-Trent to create a top 10 checklist on what to look out for. BODYWORK CHECKING the bodywork is one of the easiest visual inspections you can do while looking at a car. Essentially, you’re searching for any signs of repainting or replacement panels that might suggest the model has been in an accident. Car park dents…

● Comprehensive body, mechanical and electrical checks ● A guarantee against outstanding finance ● A warranty that runs for at least 12 months ● At least a year’s breakdown cover ● A verified mileage ● A guarantee that the car has never been written off ● A 30-day exchange policy ● A franchised dealer service history ALFA ROMEO usedcars.alfaromeo.co.uk THE Fiat Group has just revamped its scheme, with the Alfa Romeo programme now branded SelectedForYou. Cars up to five years old and with 60,000 miles on the clock are eligible; as we went to press there were 412 models on offer, all but three being Mitos, Giuliettas and 4Cs (there were 14 of the latter). The cheapest car available was a £4,995 Mito; the most expensive was a £68,495 4C…

Testers’ notes “Given the competitive nature of the compact family car class, it’s surprising that Kia didn’t give the Cee’d a more far-reaching update. The tweaked looks are a subtle improvement, but the car has barely changed inside. The fit and finish are good, while the infotainment system is a model of clarity and responsiveness. Yet features such as the cheap-looking digital clock on top of the dashboard date the car.” James Disdale Chief reviewer A FACELIFTED version of Kia’s Cee’d family hatch arrived late last year, bringing with it a new dual-clutch transmission option for the car. And we test the DCT model here, complete with the firm’s 1.6-litre diesel engine in £22,230 GT-Line trim, although our pictures show a top-spec 4 version. Styling 4.0/5 GT-Line trim was introduced…

IT’S almost 50 years to the day since the original Fiat 124 Spider first broke cover. Back then, Italian car makers led the way with affordable roadsters, and it was the latest in a long line of models that placed open-top thrills and agile handling ahead of practicality and comfort. Yet over the following half century, Fiat lost faith in two seater drop-tops as buyers looked first to hot hatches and then to rugged SUVs. So when the slow-selling, left-hand-drive-only Barchetta disappeared from price lists in 2005, the firm didn’t bother replacing it. That’s all changed with the arrival of the new 124 Spider, which harks back to the original with its retro lines and traditional rear-drive layout. Yet under the skin there’s a lightweight aluminium structure and punchy turbo…

THE huge improvement in cordless domestic vacuum cleaners means there’s plenty of alternatives to 12V vacs, but Hoover has just launched the Handy Car Vacuum that runs off the lighter socket. So how does it perform? We tried it against our most recent 12V test winner, Halfords’ Dual Speed Car Vacuum. Whether the vacs we test are mains, cordless or 12V-powered, the test is always the same. We dusted a carpet mat with sugar and breadcrumbs to assess how much is removed in a sweep, and how many passes it took to lift the debris. Then we moved to a car footwell, looking for the ability to get into tight gaps. Prices are direct from the suppliers’ websites. There’s little to choose between these two on cleaning power, so it’s…