What should I replace my troublesome BMW with?

Hi, I bought a 2005 BMW 1 Series from a dealer and have had to return to garage six times with a series of problems. They are prepared to look at a swap with/without money and are offering a 2008 Volkswagen Polo, a 2008 Honda Civic (plus €2,000) or a 2007 Ford Focus. I need a reliable car and don't have a lot to spend. Also would like to put a bike or two into the back. What car would you suggest?

Marie Cahill (Cork)

Aug 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi Marie,

Funnily enough this is similar to a series of incidents I went through with my father-in-law a few years back. He also had a BMW (a 5 Series) that was giving him no end of trouble and after, I think, the fourth time it left him stranded at the side of the road, he finally got sick of it and started shopping for a new car. I pointed him towards what I thought was a safe bet and, seven years on, he's had three quarters of a decade of near-faultless motoring in his Honda CR-V. Moral of the story? If you want a reliable car, go for a Honda. Take the Civic - it should be able to take a couple of bikes if you fold those clever rear seats flat too.

Let us know how you get on

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe