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We are needing to buy a used vehicle and are trying to decide between a 2009 diesel Hyundai Santa Fe that has done 179,000km but has a full service record including the timing belt being done at 150,000km the other option in our price range is a petrol 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander LS which has only done 63,000 and NZ new - what is the better buy- they are both around the same price?

They are both good choices with good reputations but the lower mileage is the better option to consider. At 179,000km you can expect to spend some money on major repairs in the near future (which will run in the thousands) and when it comes time to sell you will struggle to get a good price for a vehicle with such high mileage on it. In this case run with the lower mileage Mitsubishi Outlander.

Thanks - One more question we have the choice of buying the above Outlander SI which is a private sale but NZ New and also one available at a dealer which is a Jap import but is a 2007 Outlander M with only 33,000Km - would you reccommend go with the dealer or the NZ new?

NZ new is good because you should be able to trace the service history while a Japanese used import doesn't normally have any service history available. But buying from a dealer has perks. If you buy privately you will not be covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act whereas if you buy from a dealer, as a private individual and not from an auction, then the CGA covers you for a reasonable amount of time. Buying from a dealer is a better option and in both cases I would highly recommend you have an AA Pre Purchase Inspection carried out.