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Hi Mossy,

All good choices, three cars that it's very difficult to separate. I guess the best thing to do is to use the classic car-buying technique - go for the one in the best condition and with the fullest history file - the more receipts, the more paperwork, the more stamps in the service book the better. Forget the mileage, always buy on condition and history.

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Hi Noreen,

The total number of cars registered on Dublin plates in 2011 was 42,651.

Hope that helps.

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Hi Barbara,

It's always cheaper overall to stick with the car you've got and repair it, unless we're talking about an old Ferrari or something...

I'd say a new timing chain could keep your Micra going for a good long while yet but if you really want to change to something new then your best bets, in terms of similarly sized cars, are the Honda Jazz, Toyota Yaris, Skoda Fabia, Volkswagen Polo or SEAT Ibiza.

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Hi Eamon,

They're two very different cars, the Zafira and the Galaxy. The Opel is much the smaller car so if you're planning to carry full-size adults in the third row, you really need to get the Galaxy. 

In terms of reliability they both have their common issues. The Galaxy's engine can cut out unexpectedly (a software patch is the fix) and its interior trim can be fragile. A clunking noise from the steering could mean that the power steering pump is on the way out. Electrical problems are common and the alarm can give trouble.

On the Opel check that the tailgate release is working as it should and the air conditioning system can be troublesome. The stereo can also forget its preset stations or just stop working altogether. 

More seriously, the diesel engine can give serious trouble. Timing belt, water pump and the turbo are all problem areas. Make sure you get one with a full service history and an aftermarket warranty might not be a bad idea.

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Hi Nat,

Puntos are actually surprisingly reliable cars - not the shonky Italian jobs of legend. Once all the electrics are in good nick, I'd say you're safe enough and if the work that's agreed to be done is done, then all should be fine. It does sound a little bit pricey though for an almost ten-year-old Punto. I'd try and get another few hundred off.

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Hi John,

Well, as a general rule of thumb Volvo does build its cars pretty tough and, in fact, is proud to say that, while the motor industry in general builds cars for an expected service life of around ten years, Volvo builds its cars for 15 or so...

That said it depends entirely on the individual car. Has it been well cared for? Does it have a service history, preferably full? Is it nice and shiny and clean? Does it run with perfect smoothness and no vibrations, knocks or clonks? Then it probably has lots of life yet. 

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Hi Des,

It depends entirely on your priorities. If you favour style and badge appeal, go for the Golf. There are few better cars. If you're a practical type, get the Octavia as it has significantly more rear seat and boot space than the Golf and is more or less identical to drive. 

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Hi Michelle,

We like the S-Max a lot and arguably, eight years after it was first introduced and with its replacement due any time now, it's still the best large MPV around. 

There are no major reliability issues to worry about, it seems, but the build quality does seem to be a bit variable. Some cars are solid as rocks, others have lots of small niggles. The most common complaints are with electrical problems (wiper motors especially seem to have a habit of packing up) and the steering system, which can develop mysterious clonks. 

The best thing to do is find which garage looked after the car previously and ask how many times outside of scheduled servicing it's been in. Lots of times probably equals a troubled car, not too many probably equals something solid.

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Hi Shane,

Go for the Verso. It's a lovely car anyway, really practical and well built, and your regular motorway hops will keep the DPF clear. The Prius+ is one of the most frustrating cars I've ever driven - tight on space in the third row and horrendously thirsty when you take it out of town. Motorway journeys in it are hell...

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Hi Ann,

It's not always possible to know exactly based on what you've just told me, I'm afraid, so you should check with Revenue. The value of the car it works with is not what you paid for it, but what it determines to be the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) - and it will take into account optional extras fitted to the vehicle.

Nonetheless, assuming that the OMSP is £8,500, that equates to about €12,000 at today's exchange rates (13 March, 2015). A CO₂ figure of 154g/km puts it in Band C, which is 20 per cent VRT, or €2,400.

Further reading:

Our guide to importing cars from the UK