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Hi there, i'm looking to purchase a 2nd hand vehicle and im looking at 2004 mercedes c class thats done 60000km, bmw 1 series or 3 series of around 2005 onwards or 2006 audi a3, but unsure of what to go for. Which of these cars are the most reliable and what do i need to look out for? Thanks

They are all good vehicles with high levels of specification but they do cost a fair bit to maintain. There is no bad apple to point out, out of these four, but mechanical components do wear over time and can be costly to replace or repair. You should stay clear of Singapore imports as they tend to suffer from electrical problems, due to the humidity over there, and look for a NZ new vehicle with an excellent service history - preferably from the agents. The BMW 3 Series is the car that stands out from the rest - good choice.