Ask the expert: What can replace my Mercedes now that the dealer is closing?
Dear Alex,
I turn 88 this year and had planned to keep my 2018 Mercedes GLA until I can no longer drive. However, my local Mercedes dealership is closing soon, which means a fairly long drive to the next nearest. I am therefore considering swapping the GLA for one that can be serviced locally (BMW, Mini, Toyota, Honda or Kia). I only do 2,000 miles annually; I have read that hybrids are not suitable for such a low mileage, while an EV is not viable as I would be unable to charge it at home. The Mercedes has a trade-in value of about £14,000 and I can add £7,000. What would you advise?
– SR
Dear SR,
Before you get rid, have you looked into whether there's a reputable independent specialist nearby? Mercedes is one of the brands that is best catered-for in terms of good independent garages. Most will use genuine Mercedes parts, giving you a fairly comparable quality of service as that from a dealer. It will be cheaper, too.
Otherwise, a BMW X1 is probably the closest to your current car. Steer clear of the stiff suspension and large wheels of an M Sport model, though. I found a 2020 X1 20i xLine with a full history and 43,000 miles for £20,440.
BMW's reliability record has improved dramatically of late, which means the brand finished higher than Kia in the last What Car? Reliability Survey.
But if you'd rather the peace of mind of Kia's seven-year warranty, a Sportage would be a fairly safe bet. A 1.6 T-GDi 3 will have plenty of equipment and your budget gets you an approved used example from 2022 with 36,000 miles. It won't feel quite as posh as your Merc, but the Sportage is solidly built.
A hybrid isn't out of the question. You would probably need a solar trickle charger to prevent the battery going flat if it's not being used for a while (of course, that will only work if your parking space isn't covered).
But if you can make it work, a Toyota C-HR will probably deliver the greatest peace of mind. Toyota has a brilliant reliability record, while if you use a dealer for all servicing, they'll warrant it for up to 10 years.
A top-of-the-range 2022 1.8 Hybrid Excel will be loaded with equipment. I found a 21,000-mile example for £21,000.
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