Expert answer

Hi Mike,

Well, it’s quite different from a driving licence or NCT, which are both legal requirements. Reserving a number plate you like the look of is a luxury and hence Revenue clearly prices it at a level it expects people to be willing to pay, regardless of the cost to the State of providing this facility. People might have an issue with that, but there’s nothing forcing them to use the service so I don’t expect the masses to revolt or set up a public protest about it any time soon.

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Hi June,

The first thing to note would be the size difference between these two cars. The BYD is larger overall and that’s felt inside too.

In terms of build quality, the Volvo feels more solid inside and out, though its cabin layout is more dated than the BYD's and has a smaller display. It’s also worth looking at the equipment levels of both cars, as the BYD comes with a lot of standard spec.

With regard to ride quality the Volvo is the more polished of the two, with a nicely sorted suspension setup and better one-pedal driving feel. The BYD has more performance, and has higher peak DC-charging speeds.

Read our review of the Sealion 7 here

Read our review of the Volvo EX40 here

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

If the car is coming from England, Scotland and Wales then there is no way to avoid the VAT and import duty. For a car coming from Northern Ireland, and to ensure no VAT and import duty are payable, it must have been imported there officially and used by a private owner in the North “for a reasonable period of time” according to Revenue, which is generally accepted to be three months.

Coming off the ferry with a car from the UK, you are unlikely to be stopped or questioned, but that’s not relevant as you have seven days to make an appointment with the NCTS to have the car inspected and 30 days to complete the importation process. Paperwork is required to prove all of the details, including where you bought the car and its entry to Ireland.

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Hi Jake,

You can easily notify your local motor tax office that you will be using a pickup like the Amarok for private use, and then pay the required motor tax. Unfortunately, that may not satisfy the insurers. Best to ask them before you buy the vehicle if this will be sufficient, and also make sure you get a quote. 

If you have no joy, consider employing the services of an independent insurance broker to do the legwork for you.

Best of luck

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Hi Paddy,

Yes there are 2WD and 4WD versions of the plug-in hybrid Tucson on sale. The official fuel consumption is about 1.4 litres/100km, but obviously that's only achievable if you plug the car in regularly and maximise driving on electric power.

Expert answer

Hi Rob,

I'd suggest not spending any money on the car until you've gone back to the seller. Tell them you know they're a trader and you'd like them to fix the issue. If they won't play ball, gather as much evidence as you can and then get the CPCC (Competition and Consumer Protection) involved.

Best of luck with it

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Hi Juliana,

If you spend a lot of that driving on the motorway, or you're the kind of driver that 'pushes on' regularly, then I'd suggest diesel is still a good option for you. If you're a more relaxed driver and that mileage is taken at lower speeds then a hybrid may be just as economical, but it won't be otherwise. 

You've not mentioned the electric alternative, and it could be that you don't want to go electric, but almost any new EV will easily do a 160-kilometre round trip without needing charging up, and running costs are way lower than they are for diesel or hybrid. For that to work you'd need a home charger, but it's food for thought nonetheless.

If your Tiguan is giving you no trouble, I'd be inclined to hold onto it a while anyway, as with that mileage on the clock it won't be worth a lot as a trade-in.

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Hi Jane,

Good news, it looks like that should fit in. I didn't have a tape measure with me when driving the car, but I used the measure function of an iPhone and the distance came in at a little more than two metres, so even if that's not very accurate, you should have plenty to spare. 

And yes, the seat backs all fold down flat. Works well.

Read our full review of the Hyundai Inster here

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Hi Patrick,

If the vehicle already has rear seats then all you need to do is inform your motor tax office of the change of use and pay the relevant motor tax increase. Check your insurance policy as well to ensure this is covered.

If the Land Cruiser has no rear seats then it's a much bigger job to convert it, and I'd suggest you enlist the services of one of the many companies specialising in this process. Do a search online and then try to find reviews of ones in your locale. In many cases, however, it may be more cost effective to just change your vehicle.

Expert answer

Hi Ankit,

Let's go through your list for a start:

Suzuki Swift: Even the top-spec model with loads of options comes in under budget, has adaptive cruise control and can be had with an automatic gearbox. Easy to drive, well-specified, should be reliable, though doesn't feel as substantial as some of the other cars listed. Read our Suzuki Swift reviews here.

Volkswagen Polo: Only the Style and R-Line versions come with adaptive cruise control, but those are slightly out of budget if fitted with the DSG automatic gearbox so unless you stretch the budget this isn't an option. That's a shame as it's probably the best car in this list all things considered. Read our Volkswagen Polo reviews here.

Toyota Yaris: The 1.5-litre hybrid is an automatic by default, and as you've identified, the Luna comes with adaptive cruise control. It's the only version in the Yaris lineup within budget with those items and it's an excellent car. The rear seats aren't huge, but the fronts are fine, it drives fantastically, should be very reliable and the hybrid system is efficient and good to drive. Quite likely the pick of the cars here all things considered. Read our Toyota Yaris reviews here.

Dacia Sandero Stepway: An automatic gearbox is available, and even the most expensive version is well within budget, but this car can't be had with adaptive cruise control - only the non-adaptive type is fitted. Otherwise, it's a spacious and well-equipped car for the money. Read our Dacia Sandero reviews here.

MG3: All versions are automatic and come with adaptive cruise control, so those boxes are ticked. And even the most expensive version is within budget so it's a realistic possibility. It's the most powerful car here, which is probably not important, but it's quite efficient as well. The Yaris is a more polished product, but the MG has a little more space. Read our MG3 reviews here.

Hopefully that's all of help. I'd strongly recommend you and your wife go check out a shortlist of cars in person and test drive them to see which you prefer, as it will come down to personal preference.

Let us know which you go for.