READERS’ QUESTIONS

QUESTION

I’m really tempted by an early Aston Martin V8 Vantage. What should I look out for? Michael Groves, Surbiton

ANSWER

Evidence of meticulous maintenance is imperative. Look for bills to prove services have been done on time. A sticky first and second gear when cold are normal, but avoid anything with knocking or rattling suspension. Check for paintwork defects on the A-pillars and water ingress in the boot. Inside, ensure the sat-nav screen opens up properly since the mechanism breaks easily. AR

QUESTION

Am I right to be nervous about buying diesel for my next car? Anne Pettifer, Rhyl

ANSWER

There has been a lot of hype around this topic, but our advice remains the same: if you’re doing high miles, diesel still makes sense; otherwise, go for a petrol. In general, the market favours petrols in familysized cars and below, while SUVS and executive saloons still sell well in diesel form. AR

QUESTION

Which is the better buy for £15,000: a Nissan Qashqai or a Renault Kad jar? Jonathan Boot, via email

ANSWER

They’re both largely the same car underneath, but the Qashqai is sweeter to drive. That said, there are question marks surrounding the latest model’s reliability, so I’d look at a Skoda Yeti or a Suzuki Vitara instead. AR