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Hi Jim, 

I am not going to make my answer easy. I would want to drive the Passat every day, but after four or five years I would want to be trading in an Avensis. It really depends on how important pain-free motoring and good residuals are to you.

We can't decide for you Jim, so you must go with your head (Avensis) or your heart (Passat)!

I hope this (sorta) helps. 

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Hi Louise,

We put this question to official vehicle records experts, Cartell.ie, and this is what they said:

"Ideally, yes it would be advantageous to have CAT D on the logbook. However, in the UK, only CAT A to C is shown on the logbook as these cars require a Vehicle Identification Check (VIC) post-repair and before being used again on the road. The fact that the vehicle passed the VIC will be shown on the V5 (UK log book). In Ireland there is no legal obligation for insurers to notify the Department of Transport (DoT) of the write off. However, Cartell has been working with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) since 2007 to bring about legislation requiring insurers to notify the DoT. Cartell also introduced the Motor Insurers Anti Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR) Ireland, which allows insurers to notify the DoT using a Category system which had not been available until MIAFTR came into operation. The proposed legislation may well have CAT D (the lower of the write offs) put onto the log book. Cartell wrote a report on Irish write offs in 2007 and UK write offs in 2008 for the RSA and subsequently all imported cars now have to undergo an NCTS inspection (not a full check). Furthermore, if the V5 has a CAT stamped on it then this will be transferred to the Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) or Irish log book."

Hope that clears it up?

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Hi Dee,

We have seen a lot written abotu problems with the diesel Mazda6 and some of it founded and some of it is plain fiction. What we would say is that like most modern diesel cars, when the mileage is high the cost of changing something called the Diesel Particulate Filter can be quite high and this is what is being reported quite a lot about the Mazda6. We get asked a lot about going back to petrol cars. We love petrol cars here and the simple fact is that if your mileage is pretty low it won't cost you all that much more to run it and there are massive savings to be made. These days, don't expect it to be worth much in a few years though, because most people are turning their back on larger petrol cars for good. But if you intended to get proper use out of it then it could be a super buy. 

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Hello Jose,

The Toyota Avensis has been a top seller in Ireland for years because it has always proven to be reliable and good value to run, so you are safe enough to assume that this 2008 model would be the same. Obviously as is the case with any use car purchase we would recommend that you buy from a SIMI-registered dealer or even better, to do a Cartell.ie check on the car's history as this can add peace of mind. Given that you do 12,000km a year, which is well below the average, then the petrol model should be fine for you, as a diesel model would most likely cost you a lot more to buy in the first place. Here is an example of a really good one with low mileage. You would pay around €2,000 more for a diesel and you might not get it back over the course of your time with it.

I hope this helps!

Expert answer

Hi Noel, 

You obviously spend a lot of time in your car on a very bad road so the Volvo would probably have been ideal for you. In that case I am recommending that you get something with super comfy suspension and super comfy seats. You have probably extracted all of the value from your Volvo, so you can't really expect to be offered much more than a token gesture of up to €1,000 for  that car, but I imagine that you know this. 

So, with your budget of €15,000 then what should you buy? I would imagine that you keep your cars for a long time so future depreciate probably isn't a major factor for you, but you say that running costs are. 

The first car I have picked is a Saab 9-5. Saab are in a little bit of trouble, but their cars are so comfortable, with great seats. This one has a diesel engine and will be cheap to run. It would be a great car to own long term and is well under your budget. 

We really like the Mazda6 here at CompleteCar.ie and here is a nice one with a diesel engine and low mileage. This is a great car for mega mileage and would be super for your needs.

Another brilliant choice would be the Skoda Superb which is massive, comfy and really well built. This one has low mileage, the right engine and is great value. It is amazing value at under €13,000. I think I would buy this to be honest. 

I hope this helps!

Expert answer

Hi Paddy,

This really sounds like a clutch failure. Many cars have hydraulic clutch mechanisms, which is why you may still get the feeling that the clutch is ok. However, it could be that a driveshaft or a part of the gearbox has failed. It's highly likely it's 'just' the clutch though.

Bring the car along to a mechanic to get it checked out.

Expert answer

Hi there,

My personal favourite small car for the criteria that you mention is the Mazda2. It offers great value new and used and is a really likeable car. 

Here is an example of a nearly new one that is great value. 

Expert answer

Hi Ciaran

I couldn't look past a Mazda MX-5 for that money, but since I'm no expert on the Jap import stuff, I though I would ask Paul Healy @bespoke32 who does know a bit. He said "The main problem associated with the Toyota Levin and its twin brother the Trueno is related to the Superstrut suspension. This is a complicated set-up that mimics a dual wishbone system  giving the car better handling. Unfortunately it is also expensive to repair if it goes wrong. Some owners replace the whole system with a conventional suspension when the Superstrut fails while others have splashed out on the right parts to keep it in place. Look for the second kind of owner and ask questions about the Superstrut.

The Levin was launched to take on the Honda Civic Type R and SiR but even the range topping BZR model is noticeably slower. The quoted figures of 160bhp+ only apply to cars run on higher octane Japanese fuel and the Levin seems to come of worse than its competitors when run on Irish juice.

The aforementioned Honda’s post closer to their factory figures as too does the Nissan Pulsar VZR and the Mitsubishi Mirage Mivec. If insurance allows the Honda Integra Type R or SiR would be our pick.

Unless you are specifically looking for a modified/tuned car aim for one that is as untinkered as possible. There are just too many problems that could arise from somebody else’s bad work."

Expert answer

Hi Brendan,

Having just come out of a Volkswagen Golf long-term test car I feel like I can speak with some authority on the car. For a start, it really depends on where you are driving and how far, when it comes to your engine choice.

The 1.6-litre TDi diesel is really good, but it probably isn't worth the extra cost unless you commute is quite long. Otherwise the 1.2 TSi is fine and while it isn't a rocket, it is perky enough. In terms of the the car being big enough, well yes it is. The Golf is fine for one baby and the boot is big enough to take the truly obnoxious buggy I put into it. 

With your budget of €20,000, you would really have your choice of petrol or diesel models so it is really down to what you prefer. I really like this one. And although it is over your budget you would probably come in under as a cash buyer. 

Expert answer

Hi Andrew,

We put this to Cartell.ie, the official vehicle records experts, and they had an interesting slant on things:

"The VRT issue is tricky - and the buyer must be extra vigilant now. With the transfer of functions for VRT calculation to the NCT centres the officials there have been warned to check the interior of the vehicle for evidence of 'extras'. This means the buyer could be unexpectedly hit with a premium, i.e. pay over-the-odds VRT on a vehicle just because there are additional features not available to an indigenous Irish equivalent vehicle. The best thing for the buyer to do is contact the NCT centre first, before importing the vehicle, and have a chat about likely costs for additional features. It's the best way to avoid surprises."

Sound advice if you ask me.