Looking for a car for around €10,000.

Looking for a car for around 10 grand. I have a 2005 Mazda3 1.6 petrol with 150k on the clock, which has never let me down, but I want a more powerful and comfortable car, which is reliable. I was looking at the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel and also the 1.8 petrol, but my head is telling me to stay away; are they that unreliable? I am also looking at Mazda6 2.2 diesel and Lexus IS 2.2 diesel; what do you think of them?

The prices of diesel cars seem to be excessive when you look at the mileage a lot of them have; are thay worth it? I do about 12-15 thousand miles a year.

Michael Walsh (Mayo)

Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi Michael,

I’d avoid the pre-2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class – it had no end of reliability issues. Your other two choices, the Mazda and the Lexus, make much more sense as both have excellent reliability. Both are also tremendously enjoyable to drive, and it’s worth keeping an eye out for a hybrid Lexus if your mileage is that low, and especially if most of your miles are in town.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Advisor
@neilmbriscoe