Suspension parts wear out. Interior can be noisy, and parts rattle. Timing belts need regular replacement. Image credit: OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia...

This model has above average reports of reliability. There were some problems with very early models catching fire due to a fuel leak, and some reports of...

By all reports a very reliable model with no major common problems at all. All engines use a timing belt that requires replacement every 110,000 km. Image...

Many owners love their Mini but they can be expensive to run and have some serious common problems. The CVT transmissions are not at all reliable and should...

Four-cylinder petrol engines (M271) use a single row timing chain that can stretch and ultimately cause major engine damage. These can need replacing at...

Early four-cylinder models up to 2002 used the M111 engine which are long-lasting and reliable. Later models used the M271 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine which...

Available as a 4-door sedan or 5-door wagon. The model received a facelift in 1997. Early pre-facelift models (1997) had problematic wiring harnesses which...

Four-cylinder petrol engines suffer from many problems, mostly due to too long service intervals. Problems include oil consumption due to worn valve stem...

Available as a 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible, and 5-door wagon. 4-cylinder engines feature variable valve timing/lift system and can be...

Available as a 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible, 3-door hatchback and 5-door wagon (320i only). N42 engine can suffer from problems with timing...

Early models were criticised for poor quality interior, somewhat improved in later models. Initially available as 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe introduced 1992,...

1.8-litre turbo engine can suffer from oil sludging which can lead to engine failure. All engines except the 2.0-litre use a timing belt that requires regular...

2.2-litre and 3.2-litre petrol engines have timing chains but these can have problems and may require replacement. 1.7-litre petrol engine and diesel engines...

Early models with twin spark four-cylinder engine require timing belt replacement every 50,000 km or 3 years. The interval was initially longer but was...

My Volvo V50's rear-view mirror is pretty small and all I can see out of it at most times is what is directly behind me, and not the rear corners like I have...

I recently bought a VXDIAG VCX NANO device which can be used with Volvo's VIDA software to communicate with Volvos from the early 2000s up to 2014 or so. The...

BMW Australia launched the E36 3 series in May 1991. The range initially comprised of the four-door sedan with 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine (318i) and two...

The new 3 series models were introduced from August 1998 with the 318i and 323i arriving first, followed closely by the 328i. Only the 4-door sedan body was...

The Dog & Lemon Guide is a New Zealand publication with reviews of most of the cars available in NZ. This is an excerpt covering the S40 and V40 from the...

Magazine article comparing the Volvo V40 T4 to Alfa Romeo 156 V6, Audi A4 1.8T, BMW 328i and Vauxhall Vectra V6 wagons. From Car (UK) magazine, September...