CarboratoryCarboratoryThe Car Lab

Independent automotive testing and analysis

Buying Guides

Practical questions to ask before you buy, especially if you are choosing an electric car.

Used Citroën C3 inspected in a workshop before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

Used Citroën C3 in 2026: what to check on PureTech, BlueHDi, electric, hybrid and comfort

Used Fiat Tipo inspected in a workshop before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

Used Fiat Tipo in 2026: what to check on 1.4 petrol, 1.3 and 1.6 MultiJet, MHEV, space and history

Used Skoda Fabia inspected in a workshop before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

Used Skoda Fabia in 2026: what to check on MPI, TSI, DSG, space and history

Buyer comparing an electric car and a plug-in hybrid in a showroomBuying GuideBuying Guides

What does BYD mean? Who builds the cars, what Blade Battery and DM-i are, and what to check in Romania

Used Nissan Juke inspected in a workshop before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

Used Nissan Juke in 2026: what to check on DIG-T, DCT, Hybrid, visibility and history

Used Dacia Logan inspected in a workshop before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

Used Dacia Logan in 2026: what to check on MPI, TCe, dCi, LPG, Easy-R and CVT

Used Volkswagen T-Cross inspected in a workshop before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

Used Volkswagen T-Cross in 2026: what to check on TSI, DSG, space, ADAS and history

Three used full-hybrid cars being inspected in a workshop before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

7 used full-hybrid cars under €15,000 in Romania in 2026: what to buy and what to check

Used Kia Stonic inspected in a workshop before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

Used Kia Stonic in 2026: what to check on T-GDi, DCT, warranty and city wear

Five affordable Chinese hybrid SUVs compared in a car showroomBuying GuideBuying Guides

5 Chinese hybrid SUVs under €30,000 in Romania in 2026: HEV or PHEV and what to check

Used Suzuki Vitara being inspected in a workshop before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

Used Suzuki Vitara in 2026: what to check on Boosterjet, Hybrid, AllGrip and history

Mechanic checking a car’s cooling circuit with a pressure testerBuying GuideBuying Guides

Why coolant keeps dropping with no visible leak: 8 causes and what to check

Used Honda Civic in 2026: what to check on VTEC Turbo, i-DTEC, e:HEV, CVT and historyBuying GuideBuying Guides

Used Honda Civic in 2026: what to check on VTEC Turbo, i-DTEC, e:HEV, CVT and history

Used family 4x4 cars under €20,000 checked before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

7 used family 4x4 cars under €20,000 in Romania in 2026: what to choose and what to check

Used Renault Arkana inspected in a workshop before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

Used Renault Arkana in 2026: what to check on E-Tech, TCe, EDC, the battery and the boot

Used Japanese cars inspected before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

7 used Japanese cars under €15,000 in Romania in 2026: what to choose and what to check

Used SEAT Ateca inspected in a workshop before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

Used SEAT Ateca in 2026: what to check on TSI, TDI, DSG, 4Drive and history

Used small vans inspected before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

7 used small vans under €15,000 in Romania in 2026: what to choose and what to check

Used Peugeot 3008 checked in a workshop before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

Used Peugeot 3008 in 2026: what to check on PureTech, BlueHDi, EAT8, PHEV and electronics

Air suspension inspected in a workshop before buying a used carBuying GuideBuying Guides

Air suspension on a used car in 2026: what to check on bags, compressor, sensors and costs before you buy

Used German car inspected in a workshop before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

7 used German cars under €15,000 in Romania in 2026: what to choose and what to check

Tow bar inspected on a lift on a used carBuying GuideBuying Guides

Tow bar on a used car in 2026: what to check on papers, socket, masses and towing traces

Used French cars inspected in a workshop before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

7 used French cars under €15,000 in Romania in 2026: what to choose and what to check

Used Hyundai i30 inspected in a workshop before purchaseBuying GuideBuying Guides

Used Hyundai i30 in 2026: what to check on T-GDi, CRDi, DCT, Wagon and warranty