The Qashqai's Renault-sourced 1.5 dCi is economical and everywhere, but high-mileage examples often hide turbo actuator and DPF trouble. Here's what to check, what it costs, and how to buy well.
The Mercedes A-Class W176 diesel is a great car if you do long runs, but short journeys can clog the DPF and lead to costly repairs. Here's how to spot the warning signs before you buy.
Coil pack misfires, timing chain rattle and electric power steering faults are the three big issues on a used Corsa D 1.4. Here's how to spot them and what repairs really cost.
That rattle on a cold start could be the 1.4 TSI timing chain tensioner failing. Here's how to spot it, what a fix costs, and the checks you should do before buying.
The N47 diesel in BMWs built between 2007 and 2010 has a notorious timing chain flaw. Here's how to spot it early and what to do before you buy.
The 1.4 TSI and 1.2 TSI engines from VW Group are punchy and frugal – but early versions had a nasty habit of snapping their timing chains. Here's what you need to listen for, what it costs to fix, and how to avoid a horror story.