Not yeti

I need to buy a new car after not having driven for 8-9 years. Using buses has become hopeless with so many services closing. I'm thinking of a diesel Skoda Yeti. I watched your video review and you seemed positive, but I wondered what else you might recommend. My priorities are practicality (hatchback) and low running costs (low CO2 and reasonable servicing costs) and I'd really like a "raised" Golf. The Yeti seems to be the nearest to it, but I wonder if the Yeti is likely to have inherited any maintenance issues from the use of VW parts. Do you also think there are likely to be any better deals next year given that everyone is forecasting a downturn in the motor industry when VAT goes up again.

Asked on 13 February 2010 by L.L., Harlow

Answered by Honest John
Sterling would have to go up for car prices in the UK to come down. Many Euro manufacturers now regard the UK as a loss-making market. They get much more for their cars in mainland Europe, so those markets get priority, which explains the current supply problem. You stand a slightly better chance buying a British-built Qashqai or CR-V, but 2010 model CR-V prices are eye watering.
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