Expert answer

Hi Willy,

Lots. Want something compact? Track down a Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI 4x4. Surprisingly good off road, that one.

A little bigger you say? Well, I've got a big soft spot for the Subaru Forester, both the current and previous models. Permanent four-wheel drive, a peachy flat-four diesel and they're virtually indestructible. 

There is also the fleetingly rare Nissan Qashqai 4WD but good luck finding one if you're buying second hand.

Have a yen for something luxurious? Try a Volvo XC70. 

Of course, with all of these cars, and especially when buying second hand, make sure they're actually equipped with four-wheel drive. Most of them are sold with front-drive and a great many owners simply don't know or can't tell the difference.

Expert answer

Hi Bridget,

What year is your Micra? If it's a pre-2002 then upgrading to the post-2002 model could be what you need. It was bigger than the old Micra and had impeccable safety credentials. 

If you're already in a 2002 or later Micra then the best bet is to look at a Volkswagen Polo. They really do feel noticeably tougher than most other cars in the class, it's about the same size as the Micra and as good a small car as you'll find.

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Hi John,

Yes, I'd say you're onto a good one there. Obviously, a well used 14-year old Astra isn't going to come with a bundle of trade-in value attached, so I think the price looks pretty fair for the Octavia, especially given the low mileage. Honestly - we see press cars with higher miles than that!

As for the petrol/diesel side of things, I think you'll be fine in the 1.2 TSI. At 11,000 miles a year you're well within the bracket to keep burning petrol rather than switching to more expensive diesel (more expensive to buy the car, not the fuel of course) and the good news is that the 1.2 TSI engine is exceptionally frugal. In fact, I once drove one for 200km before I realised that it wasn't diesel, so slow moving was the fuel gauge. In my defence, it was late and I was tired...

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Hi Simon,

Not much is the short answer. Cars like these are very, very thin on the ground and only appeal to a tiny, specialised audience, so while in later life their depreciation will be catastrophic, at only a year or so old they'll retain a good chunk of value. I'd say don't expect much more than about 15 per cent off the new list price.

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Hi Rasti,

I'd say that kind of mileage puts you just over the tipping point for diesel, but if you must insist on petrol then go for the 1.6 - that 1.4 is so underpowered that you have to work it hard to get any performance out of it, and that really hurts the fuel consumption. As for buying privately, just keep your wits about you. The Octavia is a solidly reliable and well made car, which lowers the risk, but don't accept anything without immaculate paperwork and a proper, fully-stamped service history. None of this my-brother's-a-mechanic-and-he-looked-after-it rubbish. Worth getting a history check (from the likes of Cartell.ie) and maybe an AA inspection too. Be especially wary of cars with outstanding finance still owing on them.

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Hi Sam,

We're not quite sure why SsangYong Ireland doesn't appear to have any prices on its site at the time of writing. Our latest information is for the following prices:

- Korando ES: €25,995

- Korando EL: €29,495

- Rexton W 'Limited Edition': €44,475

- Rexton W 'Limited Edition' auto: €48,184

Our drives of the cars:

SsangYong Korando Sports

SsangYong Korando

SsangYong Rodius

Expert answer

Hi Paul,

You'd think it'd be a simple and straightforward process, wouldn't you? Sadly, sometimes it is not. That's because it relies on what Revenue refers to as the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP), which is, let's face it, entirely subjective. The best place to start is Revenue's own VRT calculator, though it's not the easiest thing to use at times and confusingly seems to have several versions of what appear to be the same car. Hopefully you'll manage to find your car there, but if you can't, please do come back to us.

Oh, and make sure you check out our guide to importing cars from the UK too.

All the best

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

Not a lot is the unfortunate answer I'm afraid... A Hyundai Coupé of that age retails for between €2,500 and €3,500, and you can generally knock €1,000 to €1,500 off to find the trade-in value. On top of which, Dacia dealers are already operating on super-slim margins so as to keep the price of the cars down, so there's even less wiggle room for a decent trade-in than there might be with other dealers. Sorry about that...

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Hi John,

The only other brand with a comparable warranty back in 2010 or 2011 would be Hyundai, which has (and had) a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty. Of the cars you've mentioned, in descending order of preference, we'd go for Octavia, Passat, Sportage and Qashqai. If it's out of warranty, you can always get an aftermarket one. 

What do you think?

Expert answer

Hi Jonny,

The Astra is not a bad choice and the current Ford Focus Estate is simply massive inside too. But, to be honest, if it's a compact estate you're after then there are really only two serious games in town - the Kia  cee'd SW and the Skoda Octavia Combi. Both are terrifically well made, reliable and, if you get the 1.6 diesel engine in either, very frugal. And both have absolutely enormous boots - more than 500 litres each. Cracking cars both, so simply take your pick. The Kia has the better warranty, the Skoda is perhaps slightly nicer inside.

Let us know which way you go with it