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What's a realistic mpg figure for the Mercedes C-Class?

How many miles to the gallon will I get from a 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 200 1.8 petrol auto?

Rosemary Hennessy (Dublin)

Mar 2014 Filed under: fuel economy and emissions

Expert answer

Hi Rosemary,

According to the official figure, you should be getting 33mpg. Bear in mind though that this is almost a ten-year old car, so its performance in terms of fuel economy may have tailed off. Nothing a good service and oil change wouldn't fix though, along with some decent new tyres.


Can I import a commercial SUV and save money?

What is story regarding Toyota and Land Rover new five-seater commercial SUVs? Is it possible to buy a second hand SUV in England and bring it over and make it a commercial and keep five seats? That would be a big cost saving.

Noel Kelly (Galway)

Mar 2014 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Noel,

You can indeed get a lower rate of VAT and VRT when importing a commercial vehicle from the UK. For VRT you'll pay 13.3 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) - the price that Revenue reckons the car is worth in Ireland, not what you paid for it. Buying second hand in the UK and having the car converted is also a fine idea, but best to have the conversion done in the UK so that the car is already in commercial form when it lands here.

By the way, all this only applies if you're bringing in a commercial vehicle to use for work purposes. If you're using such a vehicle for social, domestic or pleasure use and paying VRT, VAT and motor tax at the commercial rate, you're technically breaking the law.

Here's our full guide to importing a car from the UK


Are there any mechanical issues with the Honda Civic?

Are there any mechanical issues with the 2006 Honda Civic 1.4 petrol?

Martin Mc Donnell (Athlone)

Mar 2014 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

Ah, a split answer this one: Honda replaced the Civic in 2006 with a new model, so I don't know precisely to which one you're referring. If it's the older model, there are almost no major problems. As long as the car has been serviced on schedule (and preferably by a Honda main dealer or independent Honda expert) you should have no troubles at all.

If it's the newer, space-age-looking Civic you're talking about then there are a few minor niggles to check for. The dashboards can get a touch squeaky and rattly, the fuel filler cap can stick shut and the wraparound front lights can get condensation or water building up in them.


Does 999 still work in Northern Ireland?

I regularly travel through the North. Should the need arise, how do I contact the NI emergency services from a Southern registered mobile phone?

Thanks Philip

Philip Donegan (Ballina)

Mar 2014 Filed under: miscellaneous

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

Dialling 999 will still work, and will put you in touch with the local emergency services line.


Should I replace my Golf with a Hyundai ix20?

I have a Volkswagen Golf bought in 2002. Can you advise me re a new car, similar 1.4 petrol engine, but with elevated seating position? I looked at the Hyundai ix20 but it may not have same power as my Golf. Thanks,

Evelyn O' Meara

Evelyn O Meara (Ballina)

Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Evelyn,

Actually, the Hyundai ix20 might be just the thing you're looking for. It's smaller and cheaper to run than a Golf, and that 1.4 diesel engine is very economical, and will actually prove more powerful to drive than the Golf. Others worth considering are the Citroen C3 Picasso or Ford B-Max, both of which can be had with either petrol or diesel power. Try a 1.0-litre turbo petrol B-Max actually - great fun to drive and you won't believe the power and performance Ford can get from its new downsized 1.0-litre engine.

Let us know how you get on


I'm thinking of buying a 2006 Hyundai Tucson.

I'm thinking of buying a 2006 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 diesel with 90k on the clock and NCT to March 2016. I drive from Kildare to Wicklow a few times a week and need something reliable. Know anything about them?

Swill Rey (Wicklow)

Mar 2014 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Swill,

They're largely excellent. The Tucson has very few reported recurring problems - in fact it has virtually none. Two things to watch for: the miles per gallon readout on the dashboard is configured in US miles per gallon, not European so there can be a confusing variance between what mileage the car says you're getting and what you're actually getting. Secondly, the Tuscon, while a fine car, comes from the last generation of Hyundais before the really, really good modern ones came along. So, it's still a nice enough car to drive but it can't match the refinement, handling or interior quality of its replacement, the ix35.


How reliable is the Hyundai Tucson?

How reliable is the Hyundai Tucson?

Simon S (Kildare )

Mar 2014 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Simon,

Excellent. The Tucson has very few reported recurring problems - in fact it has virtually none. Two things to watch for; the miles per gallon readout on the dashboard is configured in US miles per gallon, not European so there can be a confusing variance between what mileage the car says you're getting and what you're actually getting. Secondly, the Tucson, while a fine car, comes from the last generation of Hyundais before the really, really good modern ones came along. So, it's still a nice enough car to drive but it can't match the refinement, handling or interior quality of its replacement, the ix35.


What is the 2008 Range Rover Vogue like for reliability?

What is the 2008 Range Rover Vogue like for reliability?

Joe Sparkes (Naas)

Mar 2014 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Joe,

Not half so bad as their reputation would have you believe. Keep a close eye on the gearbox (mostly fine but occasionally prone to being fragile) and carefully check to make sure that everything electric works as it should. Any doubts in that area and walk away - even minor electrical glitches can be wearingly expensive to fix. Engines, especially the BMW-sourced 3.0-litre straight-six diesel, are usually fine, as is Land Rover's own 3.6-litre V8 diesel, but make utterly sure that the car has a full and comprehensive service and maintenance history. Anything less than a full set of stamps should trigger a walk-away.


How much is a good Toyota AE86 Corolla worth now?

What's a good AE86 GT Corolla worth theses days with only 10km on rebuilt engine, 1.6-litre petrol, 1985, white over black?

Alan Coyne (Castlerea)

Mar 2014 Filed under: classic cars

Expert answer

Hi Alan,

Hachis are notoriously hard to price as there are a lot of factors to take into consideration. Gone are the days of cars being sold fresh off the boat for €12,000 - €13,000, but they still do command more of a premium than other cars of the vintage. The most important consideration of the AE86 is not the presence of a rebuilt engine but the lack of rust. Sill, floorpans and inner arches are all prone to rust and these are the first places prospective buyers will be interested in. There is also the UK/Ireland vs Japan consideration with original European cars being that bit rarer and more coveted than their Japanese cousins. All things considered somewhere between €7,500 - €8,500 seems to be the going price with some exceptional cars going for closer to €10,000.

Hope this helps.


Is the Mazda RX-8 suitable for a learner driver?

Hi, I am about to buy my first car and I have my eye on a Mazda RX-8 that my neighbour is selling, but I'm not sure if I should make an offer because I hear insurance is going to be an issue and I'm not sure if they're suitable for learner drivers.

What do you think?

Matthew Okpo (Dublin)

Mar 2014 Filed under: learner

Expert answer

Hi Matthew,

Wow, that's a brave decision. First off, the RX-8 is and always will be one of our favourite cars - light, agile, fun and with that screaming rotary engine up front. It's a gem of a car, and pretty reliable too.

Now the bad news. It's going to cost you a fortune to insure. You say you're starting to learn driving, but you don't specify your age. If you're under 25 you may well find it impossible to get any cover, but if you still live at home you may be able to do the old named-driver-on-your-parents-insurance trick. Even if you're over 25, as a first time driver your insurance is going to be well and truly loaded - the RX-8 is a proper sports car (and occasionally tricky in the wet) and most insurers will not be keen on insuring a novice on such a car.

Assuming though that you can sidestep those hurdles, go for it! If you start your driving career with an RX-8 you'll be getting off to a terrific start. One word of advice - invest in a high performance tuition course to help you better understand the ins and outs of driving a fast, rear-drive car. It'll make you a better driver anyway and it could save your life.

Let us know how you get on


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