The SX4 S-Cross is Suzuki’s compact crossover (five doors, five seats) and petrol manuals are common and straightforward to run in Ireland. The manual drivetrain avoids automatic servicing quirks, but petrol engines in this class can feel less torquey than diesels on long motorway pulls; some petrol SX4s use small turbocharged units, so note whether yours is aspirated or turbocharged when appraising performance.

• Clutch engagement and pedal travel — check for slipping or high bite point typical on heavily urban-driven manuals.
• Gearbox shifting into all gears (no crunching or stiff gates), especially 1st/2nd and reverse.
• Suspension bushes and drop-links for knocks over bumps and check tyres for uneven wear which points to tracking or worn suspension.
• Underside, wheel arches and lower sills for stone chips, scrapes or corrosion if the car has been used off-road or on rough lanes.
• If the car is a turbo petrol variant, listen under hard acceleration for turbo whine, lag or blue smoke indicating oil issues.