Hi Darina,

In general they're quite robust, but make sure the car you go for has a complete and detailed service history. A few things to watch out for:

 - Check all the lights, as the headlamp bulb connector can fail. It's not just a case of changing the bulb.

 - If it has keyless entry, make sure it's working, as it can fail in wet weather and is a pain to fix.

 - Important one: the manual gearbox is a weak point. Make sure the clutch pedal is not sticking and that it's easy to engage all gears, as there are issues with the clutch pressure plates and it requires removal of the gearbox to fix. If there is clonking from the gearbox then it could mean that the input speed shaft sensor needs to be replaced. Watch for oil leaks from the gearbox too, and if it's jumping out of 1st or 2nd gears then it's best to walk away as major work on the gearbox (or replacement) is needed.

Best of luck