Can you advise me on buying a Toyota Corolla?

Hi, would you mind giving me some advice/warning re purchasing a 2007 Toyota Corolla 1.4 diesel saloon? It's a new model with 170,000km on the clock and it's advertised for sale at €8,000.

John O'connell (Corofin)

Sep 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi John,

No major problems, as you might expect, but there are a couple of niggles with the 1.4 D4-D engine, specifically related to cutting out or difficult starting. It's usually caused by a build up of salt or grime on a sensor wire in the air intake. Nothing too serious but worth keeping an eye on. 

Other than that, while the Corolla is hardly the most exciting car around, it's a solid, reliable, practical choice.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe