Hi James,

Be aware that you’re not quite comparing apples with apples here – the Lexus IS 300h is a series hybrid, while the BMW 330e is a plug-in hybrid. That means the BMW can actually run for extended periods (up to 50km) on its electric power alone and costs less to tax per annum than the Lexus, as it has much lower official CO2 figures (49g/km plays 107g/km), but the BMW will take longer to recharge as it has bigger battery capacity. However, due to the Lexus’ twin frustrations of the E-CVT gearbox and its baffling infotainment system, we’d highly recommend the 330e as the better choice. Your lack of a place to park the car for charging at home is a slight issue, though.

Independent garages will usually be cheaper than main dealers, even for second-hand cars, and of course you can usually trust these outlets, but try and read up online on the dealership you’re interested in to see if there are any bad reviews – you can normally find these sort of things with a quick Google search. Between the IS 300h and the new Corolla Hybrid, it's a trickier question. The new Corolla looks great and is pretty good to drive, plus it has a more modern interior, but the Lexus is a higher-quality car and has more space inside. The new Corolla Saloon Hybrid is more spacious than the hatchback though, so that could be the best option.