Expert answer

Hi Eimear,

It’s a tricky one and it kind of depends on what age of car you’re looking at. I think with your driving profile and the fact that, as you say, you don’t drive much in town, hybrid may not be right for you. Emphasis on the ‘may.’

If you’re buying a new hybrid, that equation changes a little. The current Toyota Prius, for example, gets an easy 65mpg on the motorway, which is better than I’ve ever got out of any diesel. Ditto the Kia Niro plugin-hybrid. It’s not just new cars either. A few years back I squeezed better economy out of a Lexus GS 300h on a run from Dublin to West Cork and back than I did on the same route, in the same week, with a Ford Mondeo Vignale diesel.

Expert answer

Hi Dave,

It’s a very difficult question to answer, unfortunately, as there are so few GranTurismos on the road here in Ireland to help us get a guesstimate value. Sadly, of course, it doesn’t matter how much you paid in sterling, it’s all down to what Revenue thinks the car will be worth on the Irish market. A rough guess would peg it at around €50,000 (depending on condition, history, etc,), so you’d be paying 36 per cent of that, which works out at around €18,000. But as I say, that’s a wild guess. 

Expert answer

Hi Andy,

All three are good cars (and reliable too, with the Octavia at the top of the pile in that respect, the Mondeo second and the Insignia third). The Mondeo is the best to drive, and has the most interior space, but the Octavia actually wouldn’t be far behind, and has good seats. If cabin space is your thing, the Insignia comes off worst — it’s quite small in there, unless you’re talking about the new-shape model, introduced in 2017, which is actually very roomy.

Expert answer

Hi Tom,

It is going to be very, very hard to estimate an OMSP for the car, certainly a fair one. The problem is that the Niro Plugin Hybrid has only just been launched in Ireland, so there’s not much in the way of data for second hand prices. Obviously, it’s going to be worth more than an equivalent non-plugin Niro of the same age, but I would think that a rough second hand value would be in the €30,000-ish range, which would give it a VRT cost of around €4,000 or so.

Expert answer

Hi Catherine,

It might be, but it depends on the dealer. Car makers aren’t allowed to set fixed dealer delivery charges for their models, as the authorities consider that an anti-competitive policy. So, dealers are free to set their own prices, and then to offer discounts on those as they see fit. All you can do is shop around.

Expert answer

Hi Gabriel,

We had a worth with our contact at Cartell.ie and this is what they said:

"Unit Stocking usually points to dealer finance. These types of issues can often be resolved, but as with any amount outstanding on a vehicle Cartell would advise caution until the matter is resolved. A Cartell.ie report provides a contact telephone number and account reference number for finance markers in the UK - so the customer can contact the bank directly and look to clarify the issue. If you are still having problems ring Cartell.ie customer service team on 1890 252331 or 01 5241517 and they'll be happy to talk you through the steps."

Hope that you get sorted

Expert answer

Hi Ronan,

Yeah, if you trade down to a 1.6 TDI from a 2.0-litre you will notice it alright. The 1.6 Karoq feels lively enough, but it’s going to feel less grunty than a 2.0 TDI Audi Q5 for sure. It’s also a good bit smaller inside, so bear that in mind. Lovely car though, and it’s worth considering the larger Kodiaq if you fancy the same thing with more interior space. Here are a few relevant reviews to help you decide:

Skoda Karoq reviews

Skoda Kodiaq reviews

Audi Q5 reviews

Expert answer

Hi James,

A tricky one, because that precise model doesn’t appear on the Revenue’s quick-estimate list, and good luck finding one for sale in Ireland to get a representative OMSP valuation. As a rough guess, I would say somewhere between €1,000 and €1,200, but a lot will depend on condition, equipment and history.

Expert answer

Hi Tony,

Well, it would certainly be worth trying to track down a petrol-engined 3 Series Touring estate, but as you rightly point out these are rarer than hens’ molars at the moment. Same story for the Audi A4 Avant and Mercedes C-Class Estate too, I’m afraid. Would you consider a VW Passat Estate? Or a Skoda Superb? A bit of a step down in class terms, I’ll grant you, but good, solid cars and you can track them down with the 1.4 TSI turbo petrol engine. 

Expert answer

Hi Mike,

Is that a Mondeo you’re looking at? Yes, with your mileage and driving conditions, a 1.5-litre EcoBoost makes total sense. In fact, if it is the Mondeo, it’s the nicest engine in the line-up. It’s definitely a good idea to have a look up North — there are some very good cars around, and you can save several thousand Euro, but just be wary of vehicle history and make sure you do a very thorough history and background check (with someone such as Cartell.ie) before you hand over any money.