The Toyota Hiace is a successful van that has dominated New Zealand’s commercial transport for many years. It boasts of exceptional reliability and a level of utility that’s second to none. However, the Hiace is among the most heavily used vehicles and many that are sold in the used market tend to hide problems. It takes a trained eye and a bit of knowledge to spot these problems. This includes problems such as DPF failure and EGR valve issues. This guide will empower you to spot these problems and be able to buy the right Hiace.

The Subaru Impreza offers exceptional 4WD capability that cannot be matched by any of its competitors. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system is an ingenious technology that gives the Impreza unparalleled performance in slippery conditions. This is what sets it apart from a crowded playing field that includes the Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Auris (Known as Corolla Sport in later years), and Mazda Axela. In this guide, we give you a detailed comparison of these storied hatchbacks and tells you which one comes on top. We also tell you about the new FB engines that come with the Impreza, why they can be problematic and what to do to avoid such when buying a used Impreza.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, and nothing exemplified this more than the Nissan X-Trail. It thrived in simplicity and owners here in New Zealand loved it for its DIY maintenance. However, this has changed and the current X-Trail is nothing but simple. It’s laden with the latest technologies such as idling stop and an array of safety systems that make it a complex SUV. These systems are good when they work but problematic when they don’t. If you are a buyer looking for a used X-Trail, you need to be knowledgeable and meticulous in your search. This guide will equip you with useful information that you need along your ownership journey.

The Honda Fit is a versatile car that can be deployed in various roles such as passenger transport and light cargo transport. It can carry 5 adult passengers in relative comfort and has sufficient boot space to carry their luggage. With its rear seats down, in what Honda calls the ‘magic seat’ configuration, it can haul sizable cargo comparable to a light delivery van. All these plus its excellent fuel efficiency makes the Honda Fit a very desirable car and it’s often heavily used. This makes the Fit a tricky car to buy in the used market and you need a comprehensive checklist when buying one. This is where this Buyer’s Guide becomes handy.

This 2018 Toyota Prius Owner’s Manual is specifically for cars that are sold in the New Zealand market.

This 2017 Toyota Prius Owner’s Manual is specifically for cars that are sold in the New Zealand market.

This 2016 Toyota Prius Owner’s Manual is specifically for cars that are sold in the New Zealand market.

The VW Golf is the epitome of excellence and longevity in the automotive field and it’s one of the most longstanding cars in production today. Hardly a minute passes by without one driving down the highway in any part of New Zealand. It has long been prized for its reliability, but it took a heavy hit when it onboarded the complex DSG gearbox which has been the cause of misery for many owners. The engines have also gotten complex in the pursuit of more power and efficiency. Buying a used VW Golf is no longer a walk in the park but it’s a complicated process that requires accurate information.

When it comes to efficiency, practicality and affordability, nothing beats the Nissan Note. You will be hard-pressed to find an alternative that can match it across these parameters. In New Zealand, the demand for the Note is shooting through the roof but historically, the Note has not been stellar. It takes a hit when it comes to long-term reliability and stories abound of how it does not age gracefully. Its engines have also been fingered to be less than stellar when it comes to longevity. Is this still the case or has the Note improved? This is the question we seek to answer.

The Ford Ranger has become the backbone of light commercial transport in New Zealand. It’s one of the best performing pickup trucks in the market and it has a wide array of configurations to choose from which makes it a versatile pickup. It can be deployed for various missions such as cargo transport, family car, towing, off-roading and many more. In this guide, we talk about its reliability and the common problems to look out for when buying a used Ranger. We give you a detailed comparison with the Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max and Nissan Navara including pros and cons of each of these pickups.