NEED TO KNOW

BMW i3

⊲ The i3 went on sale in 2013, as a pure EV or with a range-extender petrol engine. Battery size has increased over the years, so you’ll see i3s advertised as 60 Ah (22 kWh), 94 Ah (33 kWh battery, 114-mile range) and 120 Ah (42.2 kWh battery, 160 miles in everyday use) examples. ⊲ Approved-used cars start at less than £12k for a 50,000-mile early 60Ah, and you’ll pay a little more for a range extender of the same age and mileage; £18k buys a nice 94Ah range-extender.

Honda NSX

⊲ The NSX may be comlicated but it’s also bombproof. ‘Servicing is every year or 12,500 miles,’ explains master technician John White. ‘Camshafts are chain-driven, and the chains are rated for the life of the car. The hybrid system means there are no ancillary belts on the car at all. The platinum-tipped plugs last 60-70,000 miles and you don’t need to check the valve clearances until 100,000 miles. Changing the oil takes time, though – the engine’s dry sump means there are seven drain points…’