Advice

It’s often said that if you’re a smart car buyer, you’ll be shopping second hand. That’s because the shine and new car smell of a brand-new car can be fleeting. Especially once you take depreciation into account.

What is the cheapest car to insure? Putting aside the hundreds of factors your insurance company will consider before giving you a price, the cheapest car to insure in Australia is the compact city car, the Kia Picanto. Overall, for cheap insurance, Kia seems to be the brand with the most offerings.Other cheap new cars to insure in Australia, according to financial comparison site Canstar, include the Fiat 500, Suzuki Ignis, Toyota Yaris, Mazda 2 and another Kia, the Rio.If you think that list means you can make a direct correlation between the cost of the car and the cost of insuring it, give yourself a gold star, because that is certainly one of the most important factors - how much it will cost to replace your new vehicle if it’s stolen or written off.The less expensive the car, the less it costs the insurer to replace, and thus the lower your premiums.Other contenders for the cars with the cheapest insurance include the similarly small, and affordable, Toyota Corolla, Kia Stonic and Suzuki Swift, as well as the small city SUV Hyundai Venue.When it comes to working out what the cheapest cars on insurance are it’s worth keeping in mind there are many, many factors an insurer will assess before deciding on the premium it is willing to offer to you.The average cost of car insurance in Australia is $929 per policy, according to financial services regulator, APRA. This is based on 18.13 million "active risks" covered and $16.8 billion in gross written premiums from September 2023 to September 2024.While we can talk about average insurance prices, they will vary wildly depending on these factors, which are used to determine the risk of insuring a particular car, and its particular owner.These include the cost of repairs and replacement; and not just the obvious one, like the sticker price of the car, but how hard or easy it is to get parts for that vehicle, and how much those parts will cost. Cars with higher repair costs will have higher insurance premiums.How likely it is that a particular car will be stolen is another important fact, and insurers have lists of data and statistics on this, going right down to the granular detail of which coloured cars are most stolen.Yes, even the colour of paint you choose can effect our insurance premium, based on past data about the behaviour of car thieves. White and yellow coloured cars can attract lower premiums than black or darker coloured ones because they are less prone to being stolen.As a bonus, brighter coloured cars are also less likely to be involved in accidents, because they’re easier to see, adding another factor to the colour of money when it comes to car insurance.Where you live will also effect your premiums, for obvious reasons. If you’re in a crime-prone suburb the danger of your vehicle being stolen is higher. Similarly, where you park the car will effect your premiums; if it’s kept in a locked garage it’s going to be harder to steal, and thus cheaper to insure.As anyone who has a teenager on P plates can tell you, the age and experience of the person who will be driving the car can have an enormous effect on insurance costs, doubling or even tripling them in some cases if you want to insure a car for a young, inexperience driver, also known as “an accident waiting to happen”.Even if you are older and more experienced, car companies will look at your insurance history when considering your quote, and the size of your excess. The longer you have gone with no accidents or claims of any kind, the cheaper your insurance will be.Sadly, even the gender of the nominated driver or drivers is also a factor. Actuaries and insurance companies deal in raw numbers and those numbers show that men are more likely to be involved in car accidents than women. Young men in particular.The people you list on your policy are going to effect the price.Speaking of accidents, the safety rating of your car is also a factor, according to Canstar. If it’s fixed with the modern systems that might help you avoid having a crash, that can lower your premiums, too.According to Canstar, these were the Top 10 cheapest new cars to insure in 2024 in Australia (they sourced their figures from Youi Insurance’s own make/model/insurance data).

Everyone loves a good joke and car enthusiasts are no different because they all love funny car jokes.You name it and chances are there’s a car joke about it: driving jokes, car jokes for kids, car dad jokes, car jokes for adults, electric car jokes, car mechanic jokes, race car jokes, as well as car insurance jokes and car salesman jokes.So, here’s our exhaustive (exhausting?) line-up of jokes about cars.Q: Why was the car always tired?A: It never took any brakes.Q: What kind of car does Yoda drive?A: A Toy-yoda.Q: Why should you always carry peanut butter in your car?A: In case there’s a traffic jam.Q: Why did the man throw his spare tyre into the woods when he got lost?A: Where there’s a wheel, there’s a way.Q: What did you do with all those old car batteries?A: I gave them away, free of charge.Q: Why does it cost so much to put air in a tyre?A: Inflation.A jumper cable walks into a bar and the bartender says, “I’ll serve you but you’d better not start anything.”My wife asked me if I could go wash the car with our son. I told her a hose and sponge would be more efficient.Q: What did the car say to the stop light?A: You’ve changed, man!My wife gave birth to our son in the car on our way to the hospital. We named him Carson.I just got nine out of 10 on my driver’s test. The last guy was able to get out of the way.Q: What do you need to be able to drive in the outback?A: You need to show koala-fications.The worst thing about reverse parking is witnesses.Q: What kind of cars do people in Norway drive?A: Fjords.Q: What’s the difference between a Land Rover and a golf ball?A: You can drive a golf ball more than 100 metres.New Teslas don’t have that familiar new car smell – they have an Elon Musk.So, 95 per cent of the EVs sold in Australia are still on the road today. The rest were able to be driven home.Do people in EVs listen to AC/DC or something current?I walked into an EV dealership and asked them how much they charge.Q: Did you hear about the new EV from Germany?A: It’s a Volts-wagen.“Who won the 1975 Formula 1 World Championship?“Lauda.”“WHO WON THE 1975 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP?!”Q: What do strippers and the best F1 drivers have in common?A: They start in pole position.Q: How do you make a million dollars racing at Bathurst?A: Start with two million dollars!Q: What do drivers wear under their fire-retardant race suits?A: Speedos.If you can’t fix something on your race car with a hammer, then it’s an electrical problem.Anyone want to buy Doc Brown’s DeLorean? He only drives it from time to time.I went to my local car dealership and was looking at a potential buy when a salesman approached me.I was interested in if the interior was roomy enough to fit my family, dog and camping gear.I said: “Cargo space?”He said: “No, car go on road.”I visited a car dealership last week to check out the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series Sahara. I'm now just waiting to be paid…. so I can catch an Uber and go look at it again.What happened to the car dealership when it ran out of Kias?It sells Nokias now.A man walks into a Lada dealership and says "I'd like a hubcap for my Lada”.The dealer says: “That sounds like a fair swap.”I was in a lot of pain after I injured my neck in a car accident last year.Now I can look back and laugh.When I wrecked my last car, I solved the mystery of whether or not a Mercedes bends.When I regained consciousness after a car crash, the doctors tried to tell me I was actually a Swedish guy who had amnesia.I said: “Ha! I’m not falling for that one – I wasn't Bjorn yesterday!”Q: Did you hear about the car crash in Moscow?A: It turns out the guy was Russian to work.Q: What do you call it when a dinosaur gets into a car crash?A: Tyrannosaurus wrecks.A lot of mechanics reckon the best way to fix any car is to sort out the loose nut on the driver’s seat.Q: Did you hear about the mechanic who was addicted to drinking brake fluid?A: She said she could stop any time she wanted to.A mechanic mate of mine reckons a good way to get rid of annoying customers is tell them to go to the nearest Supercheap Auto or Autobarn and ask for a long wait.Q: What did the disgruntled customer say to the mechanic?A: “You auto know better!”Mechanic: “When were your tyres last rotated?”Me: “On the way here, mate.”Q: What do hospital gowns and car insurance policies have in common?A: You’re usually not as covered as you think you are.Q: What’s the difference between a new puppy and a car insurance company when you make a claim?A: The puppy stops whining after a week or two.A bloke was talking to a police officer after a car accident and explaining why he didn’t have car insurance.“There are worse things in life than pranging your car,” the bloke said.“Oh, yeah – what?” the police officer said.To which the bloke replied: “Talking to an insurance company sales rep.”A drunk bloke stumbles into a hotel where a car insurance convention is being held and yells, "All insurance agents are crooks, and if anyone doesn’t like it, come up and do something about it."A man immediately runs up to the drunk and says, "You take that back!"The drunk replies, "Why, are you an agent?""No," the man says, “I'm a crook.”A car insurance sales rep dad was teaching his daughter to drive when the car’s brakes suddenly failed while going down a steep hill.The daughter screamed: “I can’t stop!" What should I do?"The car insurance sales rep dad said: “Try to hit something cheap!”

There are some states where the very existence of unmarked police cars seems almost as illogical as it is cruel, while in others, like Victoria, it’s a surprise that every second vehicle isn’t a cop car in disguise.

Who owns Polestar?The answer isn’t quite as straightforward as you may think. While Polestar began as a Volvo subsidiary the brand is actually part of the Geely automotive empire, alongside the likes of Volvo, Lotus and Zeekr. If it feels like Polestar started in a flash, that’s because it did - both metaphorically and literally.Polestar is a performance electric brand that first came to prominence as Volvo’s performance and racing division, but is now solely focused on building the most sustainable automobiles possible.But who owns Polestar? Who makes Polestar cars? Where are Polestar cars manufactured? We’ll answer all those questions and more in this deep dive into the brand’s past, present and future.Originally the company was a joint-venture between Volvo and Geely, but the Swedish brand decided to divest the majority of its stake in the operation, making Geely the primary Polestar parent company. Geely founder Li Shufu owns a significant stake in the brand via his personal company, PSD Investment.So, how did Polestar begin in a flash? Well, the brand’s origins trace all the way back to 1996 and a Swedish touring car racing team called Flash Engineering. The name came from team owner Jan ‘Flash’ Nilsson, who had a history racing Volvos.In 2005 he sold his team to businessman Christian Dahl, who renamed the team to Polestar Racing and began forging deeper ties with Volvo. In 2010, Geely took over Volvo from the Ford Motor Company as part of its first steps towards international expansion.Then in 2013 the first Polestar Performance road car project was launched with the S60 Polestar. This was an Australian initiative originally, designed to coincide with a Volvo/Polestar entry into the V8 Supercars championship.The road car project went global in 2014 and by 2015 Volvo had decided to buy Polestar Performance and establish it as its own in-house brand.In 2017 Geely and Volvo made the dramatic shift away from performance and instead reinvented Polestar as an electric vehicle brand, launching the Polestar 1 coupe in October that year (a model that was never offered in Australia).By 2019 the Polestar 2 small sedan/hatchback had arrived as a rival to the Tesla Model 3 and then in 2024 the brand added the Polestar 3 mid-size SUV and Polestar 4 SUV ‘coupe’ to the line-up.While the brand likes to highlight its Swedish heritage it has taken a more global approach to production. Polestar’s headquarters is in Gothenburg, Sweden, which is where it designs all of its cars. Production takes advantage of Geely’s Chinese manufacturing base, as well as the brand’s other industry connections to keep costs and emissions during production down.Because of that the Polestar 2 is built in China, the Polestar 3 is made in China and the USA and the Polestar 4 is produced at factories in China and South Korea.Polestar currently offers three models for sale - the Polestar 2, Polestar 3 and Polestar 4.The Polestar 2 is a mid-size sedan/hatchback that rivals the likes of the BMW i4, BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3.The Polestar 3 is a mid-size SUV based on the same underpinnings as Volvo’s EX90 and has been designed to sit above the sportier Polestar 4 coupe-style SUV.While similar in size, the 4 is built on different underpinnings, the so-called 'Sustainable Experience Architecture' that is the basis for Volvo EM90 and Zeekr 001, amongst others.The brand has already confirmed three more models , scheduled to arrive by the end of the decade. The first will be the Polestar 5 (you may have a feel for the brand’s naming protocol by now) which will be based on the Premacy concept, due by the end of 2025.It is reportedly a mid-size sedan to challenge the likes of the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT.The Polestar 6 will be a sports car, based on the O2 concept, was meant to arrive in 2026 but development of this hero model has been delayed to prioritise the Polestar 7, which is expected to be a compact SUV to sit underneath the Polestar 3. 

Like many things to do with car ownership, a car’s brakes are more than just a crucial safety issue, they can also make up a significant part of monthly running costs. So, how much to replace brake pads on your car?

Trying to pin down the cost of a Tesla in Australia is a bit like swatting a fly - just when you think you’ve got it locked in it suddenly changes.

Buying a car outright - a new car, no less - has long sat just below the increasingly Everest-like peak of Australian aspiration; home ownership. Indeed, for most of us it is the second-largest financial decision of our lives.The key difference is that when you own a home, you return each night to a warm bed and the comforting reassurance that the roof over your head is appreciating in value.Cars, on the other hand, have a nasty habit of greeting you each morning as a rapidly depreciating lump parked on the driveway.Leasing (whether novated, finance, or operating) offers a compelling alternative to outright ownership, provided you know exactly what you’re signing up for.Essentially, leasing a car equates to renting one – usually for a set period between two to five years, with fixed monthly payments.When the lease concludes, rather than having to face the cost of depreciation you face when buying a car outright (unless it’s a rare Ferrari or similar), you can simply hand the keys back and move on – ideally straight into another shiny new lease.Before discussing how to lease a car, however, it’s important to understand the different options available.The most popular is what’s called a novated lease, which is an arrangement where your employer helps manage your lease payments directly from your pre-tax salary (a state of payroll martyrdom called salary sacrificing, which sounds a lot more bloody and alarming than it actually is).This reduces your taxable income and subsequent income tax bill, potentially freeing up more disposable cash for life’s little pleasures, or the big ones, like paying off your house.How does a novated lease work? Running costs like registration, insurance, fuel, and servicing are likely to be bundled into your monthly payments.It will also involve Fringe Benefits Tax, which is calculated based on the vehicle’s value and annual kilometres travelled.At the end of your lease, you’ll face a balloon payment (think of it as a large sack filled with money rather than air) that will have been agreed in advance.You can pay that figure to take ownership of the vehicle outright (if, say, you’ve fallen hopelessly in love with it) refinance the residual through another lease or loan, or sell or trade in the car to pay it off.If the car’s market value exceeds the residual, you’ll pocket the savings. If not, you’ll have to cover the shortfall.Finance leases take a more bread-and-butter approach for those who intend to eventually own their leased vehicle.It’s a direct agreement between you and a finance provider, where you make regular monthly payments and agree upfront on a residual value – a lump sum to purchase the vehicle outright at the lease's conclusion.It's important to consider this residual value carefully, otherwise you might end up owing more than the vehicle's market worth.Lastly, there are operating leases – which are popular among businesses and people who don’t like to be tied down. They tend to be more of a short-term arrangement than other leasing options and usually include maintenance costs.You use the car, make fixed payments, and simply return it when the term ends – leaving you free to switch vehicles as you please.But every financial arrangement has its thorns, and so too, car leasing comes with both advantages and drawbacks, compared to buying.Leasing typically requires less upfront capital and offers lower monthly repayments compared to traditional car loans.Additionally, maintenance and running expenses can be bundled in to your payments, so you’re less likely to be blindsided at service time.The flipside is you won't own the vehicle unless you settle the residual, which may leave an aspirational itch unscratched for some. Plus, leases usually impose strict kilometre limits and expectations regarding vehicle condition, meaning rough treatment might incur additional costs when you return it.Comparing leasing to buying ultimately depends on your attachment to vehicle ownership and your overall financial goals.Leasing provides flexibility and can offer tax advantages, which can be particularly appealing to individuals or businesses looking for predictable costs and minimal initial outlay.On the other hand, buying outright offers complete ownership freedom paired with depreciating vehicle value.So, how do you lease a car in Australia? Firstly, put your thinking cap on and decide which lease type best fits your needs. Shop around for providers, compare deals, and pore over the fine print, repayment schedules, and residual amounts.After all that due diligence, you’ll hopefully drive off knowing exactly what you're responsible for.Like most major decisions in life, the best leasing option hinges on your personal and financial situation (and it might be worth consulting your accountant, or a taxation professional, before making your decision).Novated leases suit employees looking to leverage tax benefits through salary packaging. Finance leases appeal to businesses and individuals aiming to ultimately own the car without the initial cash outlay. Operating leases are a sound choice for those who want flexibility and an easy exit.You should, of course, be mindful of potential pitfalls across all leasing options. Changing circumstances, such as a job switch, could leave you liable for ongoing novated lease payments.Administration fees and potentially higher interest rates compared to traditional loans should also be factored into your decision making.Ultimately, leasing isn't inherently better or worse than buying – it's another financial tool available to help you drive the car you want, sooner.Whether leasing is right for you depends entirely on your specific circumstances, financial position, and a knack for understanding fine print.This material has been prepared for information purposes only. It should not be taken as constituting professional advice and you should consider seeking independent legal, financial, taxation or other advice to check how the information relates to your unique circumstances.

Here’s a question we hear quite a bit at CarsGuide: Is E10 bad for your car and does E10 fuel damage engines?

Sometimes a new car’s price puts it out of reach of a potential buyer, or that buyer is simply at a stage in their life where a second-hand vehicle is a better fit for them.What are used cars?A used car (aka a second-hand or pre-owned car) is simply a car that is not new. It has been previously used and owned and is then resold through a car dealership, via a private seller, or an online marketplace (such as Gumtree Cars).Do they tend to be more prone to problems?Not necessarily but, by their very nature, they have been used before, so they’ve been subjected to wear and tear, as well as the previous owner’s (or owners’) good or bad maintenance habits – and, of course, used cars are older than new cars.However, new cars may also trouble their owners with myriad common car problems and are even sometimes subject to recalls over faults or car issues that only come to light after that new vehicle has been on sale and out in the real world for some time.The good news is consistent maintenance, vehicle awareness and car troubleshooting should help you to prevent any common problems in used carsHere are 10 common problem areas in used cars and we’ll work our way from the tyres up.Note if the vehicle in question is an AWD or 4WD, chances are it has been put through a tremendous amount of stress and strain on tough terrain, so it deserves even closer scrutiny before you even think about purchasing it.Tyres are your vehicle’s first – and hopefully only – point of contact with the ground, so your tyres should be in great condition with plenty of tread depth, no cracks in the tyre’s surface, and no uneven wear and tear.What are the signs of this problem?When you notice uneven tyre wear, damage (cuts or splits) or, worse, changes in the car’s on-road dynamics while you’re driving, for instance steering pulling in one direction, or high-speed vibrations, it’s time to get your tyres checked out by a pro because tyre strife is no joke.How can you avoid this problem?Regularly check tyre condition for wear and tear, always run tyres at the manufacturer recommended pressure (refer to the tyre placard in the vehicle or the driver’s manual), and have the tyres rotated (about every 5000-8000km) and balanced, and the wheels correctly aligned. Also, replace tyres if they are 10 years old or more – a tyre’s date of manufacture is stamped on its sidewall.If the brakes on a car aren’t working properly, then the issue can range from mildly annoying (best-case scenario) to dangerous (worst-case scenario). Faulty/damaged/worn-out brake pads, rotors, or callipers may lead to poor braking efficacy (i.e. longer braking distances, brakes that are slow to bite etc) and so increase the risk of an accident, minor or otherwise.What are the signs of this problem?When you notice any unusual noises from the brakes when you do brake (such as high-pitched screeching), or obvious poor performance (i.e. longer braking distances, brakes are slow to bite or bite with a jerky on-off action etc) or even a brake warning light coming on. The culprit may be the brake pads, rotors or callipers.How can you avoid this problem?Unfortunately, this is one of the common car problems but it can be remedied with diligent maintenance. Undertake regular maintenance (according to guidelines in the vehicle owner’s manual) and regularly check the condition of all of your brake pads.If there are odd noises coming from the brakes, your best bet is to tackle the issue as soon as you aware of it – don’t let it become any worse than it already is.There’s no harm in having a look yourself but, by all means, get a pro to address the problem if you’re more comfortable with that.Have the brake pads and rotors checked and, if they’re too worn, get them replaced. While the mechanic is there, have them check for leaks, drain the brake fluid and replace, and, if needed, bleed the brake fluid.Any issue with the vehicle’s suspension is the next thing to watch out for and you’ll quickly recognise if there is something wrong because the car may ride and handle like a mechanical bull – well, not quite that bad but you get the idea.What are the signs of this problem?Suspension strife – worn-out or damaged shocks, struts etc. – will result in a choppy wayward ride and poor on-road handling with impacted steering.There may be noises coming from some part of your suspension set-up and your tyres may be wearing out unevenly and faster than they should.How can you avoid this problem?Regular maintenance, in accordance with guidelines in the owner’s manual, and being sure to check all suspension components, will hopefully pick up any potential issues before they become serious.When there is an issue, there’s no harm in having a look yourself but, by all means, get a pro to address the problem if you’re more comfortable with that.Have the shocks, struts and entire set-up scrutinised, and have any worn-out or damaged components replaced. If it’s an AWD or 4WD, it may have been punished in off-road situations and will need extra attention to avoid any issues down the track.The exhaust system gets rid of your car’s emissions and any problem with it quickly becomes obvious.What are the signs of this problem?Rust may be the culprit here, or loose exhaust pipes, or a leaking exhaust manifold (often indicated by a ticking or tapping noise in the engine, an illuminated ‘check engine’ icon, and a strong exhaust smell).Any strife with the exhaust system may result in poor fuel efficiency and – warn your neighbours! – a too-loud exhaust note.How can you avoid this problem?Regular maintenance, in accordance with the recommendations in the owner’s manual.Make sure you check all exhaust components when you’re scrutinising a car and hopefully that will pick up any potential issues before they become serious.To fix this problem, you’ll have to replace any rusted, damaged or broken parts, any loose sections of the exhaust will have to be tightened, and the leaking exhaust manifold will have to be sorted out.Any issues with your electrical system – lights, indicators, brake lights, power windows etc – should be addressed as soon as possible.What are the signs of this problem?Electrical problems may manifest as headlights (or other lights) that work only intermittently or not at all, power windows that don’t work properly, or interior lights that are faulty.A blown or faulty fuse, damaged or old wiring, or even a battery issue may be the cause of an electrical system malfunction.How can you avoid this problem?Regular maintenance, according to guidelines in the owner’s manual, will reduce the chances of minor issues becoming major issues.Conduct a full inspection of the electrical system (including wiring), replace any blown or faulty fuses, and check the battery and replace if required.A faulty cooling system could result in an overheating engine, which may become even more serious engine strife and lead to damage to – or even failure of – other components in your car.What are the signs of this problem?Some indications of a cooling system problem include that aforementioned overheating engine, the engine temperature gauge rising to a high level quickly, or an obvious coolant leak.Potential causes may include a split or clogged coolant hose, a leaking radiator, or a faulty water pump.How can you avoid this problem?Regular maintenance, according to guidelines in the owner’s manual, will reduce the chances of any minor issues becoming major issues. Pay attention: if the coolant system warning light/icon is illuminated on your dash driver display, then address the issue immediately – check coolant levels and the radiator and hoses.Potential fixes include flushing the cooling system, and replacing the radiator.Any strife in the fuel system – which consists of fuel filter, pump, injectors (or carburettor if the car is very old), and, of course, tank – means fuel delivery to the engine is compromised and, as a result, the car’s overall performance will suffer.What are the signs of this problem?If the car exhibits any of these signs – rough-as-guts idling, lacklustre acceleration, engine misfires, loss of power at high revs, and/or reduced fuel efficiency – then it’s a strong indication something is amiss in the fuel system.The cause? It could be anything from a clogged, old or even incorrect fuel filter, or pump; carbon deposits in the fuel delivery set-up, poor quality fuel (beware the dirty go-juice!) or something else.How can you avoid this problem? Regular maintenance, according to guidelines in the owner’s manual, will reduce the chances of any minor issues becoming major issues.Check fuel lines, and the fuel filter, pump and replace as necessary. Clean clogged injectors or get a pro to take a look if you want a second opinion and have those replaced if needed.Engine oil is a lubricant designed to reduce damaging friction created in the inner workings of an internal-combustion engine. Without enough clean engine oil, mechanical parts wear out faster than they would otherwise.An oil leak can signal a minor problem which has the potential to become a major problem if you don’t crash-tackle it at the source as soon as possible.What are the signs of this problem?Some indications that oil is leaking from the car: a puddle of oil on your driveway, low oil level, and/or engine overheating.Oil leaks may be caused by too-low oil levels, worn-out gaskets and seals, or faulty oil filters or other components.How can you avoid this problem?Regular maintenance is key. Pay attention to the condition of all oil-related components and fix leaks immediately to avoid minor issues becoming major issues.Always use the correct type of oil (read the owner’s manual) and replace any faulty parts as soon as possible.Get a professional to take a look if you want a second opinion.A fault in a manual transmission (a gearbox) or in an automatic transmission, if left unchecked, may result in costly repairs down the track so it’s best to address any transmission issues as soon as humanly possible.What are the signs of this problem?There may be clunking or grinding noises emanating from the gearbox or it may slip out of gear, strong burning smells (transmission is overheating, low fluid level), obvious leaks (worn-out seals or gaskets), and/or the ‘check engine’ light comes on.How can you avoid this problem?Regular maintenance, according to guidelines in the owner’s manual, will reduce the chances of any minor issues becoming major issues.Maintain correct transmission fluid level (refill or change as needed), check for transmission leaks and consult a mechanic if repairs or replacements parts are needed.Overview of this problem and what it entailsProblems with steering in a used car – or, for that matter, any car – is a serious safety issue.What are the signs of this problem?Steering strife is obvious from the get-go:Any trouble with turning the steering wheel (potential cause: power-steering fluid leak somewhere in the steering set-up)Vibrations through the steering wheel (potential cause: possible contaminant build-in the power-steering system)Steering pulls to one side (potential cause: worn-out steering gear, lack of power-steering fluid)Loose-feeling steering wheel (potential cause: worn-out steering rack, tie rod)Steering wheel slips when you turn it (potential cause: pump issue, worn-out steering rack mount, or worn or loose power-steering drive belt)Grinding noises when you turn the steering wheel (probable cause: steering gear problem)Screeching noise when you turn the steering wheel (possible cause: loose or worn-out power-steering drive belt or low power-steering fluid level)How can you avoid this problem?Conducting a bit of car troubleshooting and regular maintenance, according to guidelines in the owner’s manual, will reduce the chances of any common problems in used cars becoming major problems.Regularly check the power steering fluid level, steering pump, hoses and steering rack. Note if the power steering fluid is foaming or discoloured, there may be air or water in the system, so it’s not doing its job properly and should be replaced.