James Ruppert: the future of the banger is in danger

The point I am making here is that these are the utterly reliables that have proved themselves in the real world. However, the next generation of potential bangers is not looking good. A reader writes – and I will protect his identity – that he has recently spent quality time delivering hire cars and what he is experiencing is not great when it comes to wear and tear. Obviously, hire cars lead a very hard life indeed, but these are 19-plate vehicles and are no more than 10 weeks old and with mileages that are less than 1500. 

So let’s start with some worn carpets on a Hyundai i10 and Honda Jazz. More serious is a service light being on at 3500 miles with a Ford Tourneo Courier. Annoying is a frozen touchscreen on a Ford Focus and irritating, especially for neighbours, is a repeated alarm activation on a Citroën C4 Cactus. Driver’s door switches not working on a Mini Countryman need to be snagged and false tyre pressure warnings on both a Jazz and a Mitsubishi Outlander are a surprise. 

Our undercover correspondent signed off with a “Best of luck buying a banger in 10 to 15 years’ time”. He has a point. Cars are now needlessly complicated. It is disturbing that the cars he is driving are box fresh and already showing signs of failure. I spent some time with a major supplier of warranties called Motoreasy. They have the real-world stats, which identify repeat reliability offenders. Maybe I’ll tell you some real-life breakdown stories soon.

What we almost bought this week

Audi TT 1.8T Quattro: The 1.8T is the orphan in the Mk1 range but no matter: this one, a 2002-reg with 112,000 miles, looks like a bargain. It’s got full service history, claims the private seller, and has had just three previous owners. This should go in its favour – except for the fact that they could all have been animals behind the wheel. 

Tales from Ruppert’s garage

Mini Cooper, mileage - 102,954: My 1964 Mini, which has been piling on the miles recently, made a guest appearance at the Autocar Awards and was in a little film that was shown on the night. I made the epic journey. Well, it was only a 250-ish-mile round trip, and blimey was it noisy. I usually do half-hour blasts, but six hours at 250dB was rather tiring for someone of my age, but huge fun. 

I will give it a quick once-over because it is due an MOT. Legally, it doesn’t need one, but one would be stupid not to. 

Reader’s ride

Skoda Fabia estate: Steve Lee is giving us an update on his Fabia 1.9 TDI estate: “It is not far short of 177,000 miles. It was originally for my son, who needed something cheap and economical. Once he had finished with it, I took it over and used it for work and now my wife uses it. 

“During its time with us, it took four of us and a boot load to near Frankfurt and back at 60mpg. That was when it had done 144,000 miles. Since then, I’ve used it to move the contents of my daughter’s flat, twice. 

“While we’ve had it, it has had only routine maintenance and servicing, a couple of front dampers, rear door locking solenoids, two brake light switches and a few minor things. I have done all the work myself. It’s been the best car I’ve ever had and I’ve had a few.”

Question: I’ve got £5000 to spend on a first car for my 18-year-old daughter. Is this enough or would I be better off paying a smaller deposit and £100 a month for something newer? Gordon Turner, Bedford

Answer: For £100 a month and a £200 deposit, you could get her a 2016 Renault Twingo with 27,000 miles but that’s a four-year PCP with an optional final payment of £2300. Simply put, you’ve paid £5000 over the term but still don’t own the car. So see if you can persuade her to take a 2015 Skoda Citigo SE with 38,000 miles for £5000 dead – no deposit, no monthly payments and she can part-ex it any time. John Evans

Question: I’ve been observed doing 38mph in a 30mph zone by speed watch volunteers. I was caught doing the same speed by police in the same zone two years ago and attended a speed awareness course. Will I get a ticket for being caught again? Lucy Harris, Folkestone