Kia Problems

You've missed my pick, and our current Car of the Year, the Kia Sorento. It's better than any of your contenders and a top car that gets The Tick from me.

I have spoken to Kia and the company says it has replaced the steering rack and power steering and that it believes the car is operating correctly. It has not been able to identify any brake fault.

The problem needs to sorted out with the dealer and Kia, so go back and tell the dealer you are unhappy with the car as it is and request them to fix it. Tell them you will not accept the car as it is. Ask them to demonstrate on another Cerato that the problem is 'normal'.

If you have records showing when you reported it to the Ford dealer I would think you have some claim, although it's a little unclear because you've since had it worked on by other people. I think you'll be battling to get any compensation, but by all means give it a go.

The Sorento has a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Auto safety braking is great to have but it will be some years before it is fitted to all new models.

I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t be allowable, the price could have been a sale price for a period of time, and went up when the offer finished.

The three cars you name all have merit, none has any major issue to be concerned about and all fit your needs, but you will have to shop around to find them within your age and budget limits.

It sounds like the right time to move into an all-new Forester, to power you across the divide and into retirement. No matter what you do with repairs to the current car, it’s going to be a gamble.

The Carnival only got a four-star score from ANCAP in July because of excessive movement of the parking and foot-brake pedals, with a heightened risk of injury to the driver’s legs and feet. Work has been done and there should be a re-test early in 2016 with ANCAP with improved cars on sale in the first quarter.

The best time to buy is January, when dealers and car companies are trying to clear all their 2015 stock. Just like northern hemisphere horses, they all get a year older on January 1. A free auto upgrade is one of the typical baits these days, since more than 90 per cent of people buy an auto and companies can offer an effective $1500 value boost.