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51 articles
CostsUnderstanding Fuel Economy (MPG)
Fuel economy is one of the first things buyers look at, but real-world MPG can be very different to the figures manufacturers advertise.
MotoringMy Own Car and What I've Learnt
What owning the same car for 10 years has taught me about buying and maintaining a used car.
ReviewsBest Automatic Cars Under £10,000
My top 3 automatic cars under £10,000 based on my own experience and industry data.
Buying GuideWhat a Mechanic Looks For When Buying a Used Car
These are the checks I carry out before buying any used car. Most of them don't cost anything and could save you thousands.
ReliabilityTiming Belts vs Timing Chains: What Buyers Should Know
One of the most important things to check when buying a used car is whether it has a timing belt or timing chain, and whether it's been maintained properly.
ReviewsBest Used Cars Under £3,000
If your budget is around £3,000, these are the used cars I'd personally be looking at.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: Kia Optima 1.6 CRDi Facelift
Where condition and history are comparable, the earlier chain-driven 1.7 diesel Optima remains the technician's preference over this wet-belt facelift.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: Kia Optima 1.7 CRDi
The highest-rated car in this series at 9/10 — a chain-driven diesel Optima with faults that are easy to spot if you know what to listen for.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: Peugeot & Citroën 1.2 PureTech
Workshop experience includes belts failing at just 25,000 miles — why low mileage alone shouldn't reassure PureTech buyers.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: Ford Ranger & Transit 2.0 EcoBlue
Wet-belt maintenance history is everything on the 2.0 EcoBlue — including whether a missed service could cost you a warranty claim.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: Kia Sportage QL 1.6 CRDi
The Sportage engine that needs the most caution — a 5/10 rating driven by carbon-contaminated oil and exhaust-valve wear.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: Kia Sportage Petrol Models
A stamped service book doesn't prove the oil was checked between visits — why petrol Sportage buyers need to ask about oil consumption directly.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi
A dependable 8/10-rated diesel Sportage — provided the clutch and manual gearbox check out on the test drive.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: Nissan Navara 2.3 dCi
DPF, EGR and AdBlue problems can catch out Navara buyers who don't ask how the truck has actually been used.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi (A20DTH)
A technician's honest verdict on the A20DTH-powered Insignia — and why proof of oil-pickup seal replacement matters more than anything else.
MotoringIs ChatGPT Good for Vehicle Information?
AI is a brilliant tool for researching cars, but buying the right car often comes down to things that aren't obvious online.
ReliabilityAdBlue Explained: Faults, Fixes & What to Check
What AdBlue is, how it works, the common faults I see in the workshop and whether you should worry about buying a diesel with it.
Buying GuidePetrol vs Diesel: Which Should You Buy?
Not sure whether to buy a petrol or diesel? Here's how I explain it after years working as a mechanic.
Buying GuideWhat I've Learned as an MOT Tester
After carrying out MOTs for years, these are some of the biggest things I've learned that every used car buyer should know.
MotoringThe Best Time of Year to Buy a Car
Knowing when to buy can save you money, give you more choice and help you find a better car.
MotoringHow to Get More Money for Your Car
Simple things that can add hundreds, sometimes thousands, to the value of your car before you advertise it.
Buying GuideBuying a Used Car From Facebook Marketplace
Everything I'd personally do before buying a used car from Facebook Marketplace to avoid expensive mistakes.
ReliabilityDoes High Mileage Really Matter?
Does high mileage really matter? Here's how I look at it after years of working on cars every day.
ReliabilityWhat Is a DPF? Diesel Particulate Filters Explained
Everything you need to know about Diesel Particulate Filters, why they fail, common symptoms and what to look out for before buying a diesel.
Reviews3 Best First Cars for New Drivers
Three first cars I would genuinely recommend, based on reliability, running costs, insurance and what I have seen in the workshop.
Reviews3 Best Used Cars Under £5,000
Three used cars worth genuinely considering for under £5,000, based on years of workshop experience and the common faults to watch for.
Buying Guide10 Things to Check Before You Buy a Used Car
The essential pre-purchase checklist that could save you thousands.
ReliabilityWet Belt Engines: What Every Buyer Needs to Know
Which popular models are affected and what the warning signs look like.
ReviewsBest Cars For Reliability in 2026
Data-backed rankings of the most dependable used cars across every segment.
Fraud7 Common Car Scams & How to Avoid Them
Clocked mileage, ghost brokers, and category write-offs — stay protected.
CostsThe True Costs of Car Ownership in 2026
Beyond the purchase price: fuel, insurance, servicing, depreciation and what it really costs to run a car.
EV & HybridShould You Buy an Electric Car in 2026?
Honest advice on range anxiety, charging costs, residuals and whether an EV is right for your lifestyle.
Buying GuideDealer vs Private Sale: Which Is Better?
The pros, cons and hidden risks of buying from a dealer versus a private seller.
CostsCar Finance Explained: PCP, HP and Personal Loans
A plain-English guide to the most common finance products and which actually saves you money.
ReliabilityThe Most Unreliable Cars to Avoid Buying Used
Backed by real owner data — the models that cost owners the most in repairs and downtime.
MotoringHow to Negotiate the Price of a Used Car
Tactics that actually work — from opening offers to walking away at the right moment.
EV & HybridUsed EV Buying Guide: Battery Health & What to Check
What battery degradation really looks like, how to test it, and which EVs hold up best over time.
Buying GuideThe Complete Guide to Car History Checks
Finance outstanding, stolen, written-off — what a history check reveals and why it's non-negotiable.
CostsYou Can Afford to Buy It — But Can You Afford to Own It?
A used luxury car can look like an incredible bargain. The price has fallen — but the cost of running one hasn't fallen at the same rate. Here's what buyers often overlook before they can comfortably afford to own it.
ReviewsThe Best Cars for Motorway Miles at Every Budget
If most of your mileage is on the motorway, the car you need is very different from one built for short trips — here's what we'd actually buy at every budget, from under £5,000 to £25,000 and beyond.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: SEAT Leon 2.0 TDI (2018)
A technician's honest look at the 2018 Leon 2.0 TDI — and why oil consumption and repeated DPF regenerations are so often two sides of the same problem.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI
A strong all-rounder that can cover serious mileage without much trouble — provided the service history proves it, not just a stamp in the book.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: Ford Focus 1.6 Petrol
A generally straightforward engine, but one specific fault can masquerade as an ignition problem — and it takes minutes to rule out.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: Ford Fiesta 1.25 Petrol
A good cheap first car or everyday runaround — with a couple of specific areas worth checking before you commit.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: VAG Group 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 TSI
Shared across Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT and Skoda — generally good engines, with a couple of faults worth listening and looking for.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: VAG Group 2.0 TSI
Found in everything from Golf GTIs to performance Skodas and SEATs — excellent engines, but maintenance and previous ownership make a massive difference.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: VAG Group — All Engines
The biggest risk with used VAG cars usually isn't a design fault — it's important service items being missed throughout the vehicle's life.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: Discovery Sport & Evoque 2.0 Ingenium Diesel
They can drive really well, but the earlier Ingenium diesels need buying carefully — service history and usage pattern matter more than most other checks combined.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: New Land Rover Defender 3.0 D300 / D350 Diesel
The new Defender gets plenty of attention online for Land Rover reliability, but in our experience the 3.0-litre D300 and D350 diesels are generally fantastic vehicles when properly maintained.
Technician Inside InfoTechnician Inside Info: Range Rover Sport 2014–2020 3.0 TDV6 Diesel
The L494 Range Rover Sport is still a brilliant vehicle, but it's now old enough that maintenance history is absolutely critical.
Technician Inside Info10 Used Cars I Wouldn't Buy Without Checking Properly
Ten used cars I would inspect very carefully before buying, the real faults behind their cheap prices, and exactly what I check before recommending one.
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