Used car tests

The Mk2 Ford Ka is reliable and fun. Are there any pitfalls of buying used?

Our reader has £10,000 to spend on a 4x4 with genuine off-road ability

Our reader has £350 a month to spend on a Ford Mondeo-sized saloon

The MINI Convertible is one of the most stylish soft-tops on the market

Our reader has £2,000 to spend on a trusty first car, but which one?

Reader has £13,000 to spend on a capable front-wheel-drive crossover. Here are our best buys...

Don’t be put off by Alfa’s reputation, the Spider makes a fine buy

Our reader has £10,000 to spend on a small but versatile people carrier. So what should he buy?

The Peugeot 407 looks like great value, if you can put up with the glitches

The Vauxhall-engined Lotus Europa is great fun... if you can find one

Our reader has £5,000 to spend on a petrol-engined, five-door city car

The stylish Mazda RX-8 coupe is cheap to buy, but expensive to run

Our reader has £12,000 to spend on a flash, luxurious saloon. So what should he buy?

Reader has £5,000 to spend on a reliable roadster, so what should he buy?

The Avensis scores on value and is easy to own. But are there any pitfalls?

Our reader has £8,000 to spend on a capable seven-seater

Our reader has £15,000 to spend on a good value off-roader

The R-Class MPV is a steal second-hand, but it is expensive to run

Our reader has £3,000 to spend on a distinctive first car

Our reader has £20,000 to spend on a distinctive four-seater convertible

Reader has £14,000 to spend on a practical car with low running costs

Our reader has £14,000 to spend on a small hot hatchback

Our reader has £6,000 to spend on a road tax-exempt supermini

Steep depreciation makes the VW Phaeton look a real bargain. But is it?

4x4s don’t come much more luxurious than the Range Rover Sport – but there are some issues to look out for

The Audi A3 is about to be replaced, and looks more tempting than ever used

The Stratos is one of the most beautiful cars ever to have entered a special stage. Less than 500 were ever made, and they are now prized collectors’ …

Fifth generation brought hot hatch back to top of the class – but is there anything to watch out for?

It's Britain's family favourite and there are loads about, so how do you ensure you get a good one?

New emissions-based road tax rules are set to hit drivers hard – unless you buy carefully

Hot diesels from Skoda and Ford are bargains right now. Which is our choice?

Small, light and cheap to run – these cars from Nissan and Smart have the lot!

Bag a prestige car at a value price with Mercedes’ A-Class and BMW’s 1-Series

Want a roadster that’s a good everyday car and great fun on a track, too? Look no further...

Demand for hatch remains strong – and we give you the lowdown on finding one second-hand...

What to look for on Mazda’s radical rotary-engined coupé.