Expert answer

Hi Jimmy,

We've done some ringing around for you based on extra information you provided us with (2010 Volvo S40 1.6 diesel). First of all, you can't do anything about different brands charging different amounts; that's a fact of life. We talked to several Volvo dealers around the country to compare pricing and they all quote similar amounts to the numbers you gave us. It seems expensive for the first service for sure, but at least you know it's standard across the network.

While we didn't ring every dealer in Ireland, we did get a quote from Bandon Motors (www.bandonmotors.com) that was much cheaper for the first service - though the same after that. Best bet is to ring all the Volvo dealers you are within easy driving distance of.

Of course, failing all that you could take the car to a non-Volvo garage, but I'm guessing you'd like the main dealer stamp in your service history.

Let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Ciaran,

The Nissan Skyline saloon did not really get caught up in the upsurge of popularity experienced by other rear-wheel drive Japanese four-doors towards the end of the Celtic Tiger era so is still a fairly rare model. This would go some way to explaining why the Revenue Online Service (ROS) value seems so low. The Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) is based on an 'average' for that particular model, but with so few cars having been imported it can be difficult to determine a true average.

Regarding the car you have highlighted, and taking into account current exchange rates and the VRT calculated by ROS that car would cost €5,824, which seems expensive to our eyes.

A thorough search of all the classified adverts we could find revealed a few similar cars, albeit with higher mileage, in the region of €3,500 - €4,000.

The one you're looking at does have some nice additions such as the wheels, suspension and spoiler, but whether they and the low mileage warrant a near €2,000 premium is a question only you can answer.

Let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Joe,

On the face of it this is a great deal for sure - especially if you do not plan on doing excessive mileage. The terms and conditions (see here for the document) seem reasonable enough. One thing you have to realise though is that you're giving up any potential discount on the new car. Essentially you're offsetting that against a year of depreciation.

In your position I'd first of all go into a Nissan dealer and get the best deal on trading in your car against a new Qashqai as normal. Only ask about the Twice is Nice Deal after you have a price to compare with.

Please note that some dealers may have elected to have a limited quota of cars to sell on the Twice is Nice Deal as well so you may not get what you want from the first one you visit.

Let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Rory,

I don't have a strong opinion for or against the idea. I can see merit in the technology, but also major hurdles and potential issues. First, some good points:

• Potential to significantly reduce collisions caused by careless or distracted drivers
• Big gains in efficiency and fuel economy - on average
• Long-term could be used to transport people that cannot drive
• Could help ease congestion, especially on motorway networks
• Could eliminate drink-driving once and for all!

Some negatives:

• We all know that computer systems are far from infallible
• If something goes wrong, who is responsible? Legal minefield
• Would breed a whole generation that may never learn to drive for themselves
• I love driving and would hate for that choice to be taken away from us

We already have aspects of this technology in our cars right now, with things like Volvo's City Safe system (it can brake the car with full force if it detects a pedestrian in the car's path and the driver does not react) and Honda's Lane Keep Assist (where the car gently steers itself back on course if it thinks you're distracted) and it's likely they'll become more commonplace. Self-driving in really slow traffic may be next, though at all times a sober, responsible driver will have to be behind the wheel.

Fully autonomous cars are a long way off.

What are your thoughts?

Expert answer

Hi Sadhbh,

Autonomous cars are programmed to keep within the speed limits at all times. The driver cannot change that, though of course they can take control and do whatever they want themselves at any time.

Bear in mind that there is no self-driven car on sale as yet.

Here's our article on the experience of being driven by one on the public road.

Expert answer

Hi John,

I put your question to Paul Healy, our News Editor, but also a very experienced man in the way of Japanese imports. Here's his response:

May we first commend you on your choice of choice of cars? There is little that can offer the kind of thrills the MX-5/Eunos Roadster does for the money.

In regards to your question; yes the Eunos Roadster is essentially just a Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) MX-5, but there are a few differences between the two cars. For the most part these are cosmetic or inconsequential differences such as the shape of the number plate surround or the fact that the speedometer will be in km/h instead of mph (which is actually handier). The bigger issues relate to the likes of the thinner windscreen that would require a new surround rubber should you need to replace it with one from a MX-5 and also the engine management system (ECU) differs between the cars, but failure of this system is rare so the likelihood of it being a problem is minimal.

While air conditioning was offered on both models many MX-5s do not have it whereas most Eunos Roadsters do. This means that the power steering belt that would also drive the air conditioning compressor will be different between the two cars. So too will be the radiator, as the Eunos almost certainly (the Japanese like their air conditioning) will have additional mounting points for the unit.

None of these issues present any real problem though. Such is the appeal of the MX-5/Eunos Roadster that a whole industry has sprung up to supply parts for both cars that are sometimes unavailable through official channels. Websites such as mx5parts.co.uk and mx5ireland.com are good resources.

Hope this helps!

Expert answer

Hi Frank,

This isn't quite an exact science and you can't really "work it out" but instead you can guess based on evidence from the past. Take a look at what the cars retail for after one year, two years, three years and so on and see what percentage of the car's original value it has retained. There have traditionally been some brands that have kept their value better than others - Ford, Toyota and Volkswagen would be some that spring to mind.

Expert answer

Hi Richard,

It's never easy to predict such things, but it's likely that the Subaru would just beat the Skoda to the top spot on this occasion. They're very close in reality.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Deb,

There are loads of four-door city cars that would fit in that space that have ISOFIX, but the problem then is fitting a big travel system buggy into them! I myself have two kids so I understand the challenges...

Some good city cars to consider include the funky new SEAT Mii/Skoda Citigo/Volkswagen up! triplets and the Fiat Panda. They're as narrow as you get really.

Just so happens I have a Mii on test this week and our Quinny Buzz buggy folds in - with no space to spare of course.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi there,

There's no black and white answer to that one I'm afraid. It takes a little research and some experience of the industry. Even so, it's never a factual figure, as different buyers or dealers will offer you different amounts for your car.

Have a good look through Carzone.ie and other car classifieds sites for cars that closely match yours in terms of specification, model year and mileage and make a note of average prices. Bear in mind that the prices advertised (especially those from the trade) are not what you'll receive for your car, so knock a few grand off for relatively new (up to five years old or so) models. Take that figure from your original purchase price to work out the depreciation.

It's an inexact science, but this method should give you a good gauge anyway.