Expert answer

Hi Mark,

It's not always easy to tell if a car's clock has been tampered with, even for an expert. Reputable dealers can just as easily get caught out as the rest of us so they cannot guarantee the mileage for you.

However, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce the chances of getting caught out.

1 - If a car has been clocked by a real amateur they may leave some telltale signs behind, such as scratched trim around the fixings of the dashboard or misaligned numbers on the clock itself. Bear in mind of course that there may be a genuine reason for these things too.

2 - Don't just skim through the service history. Check it in detail and note the dates of any service stamps and the corresponding mileages. If a pattern is strangely broken it may suggest something awry. Obviously not all cars will have a full service history, but the more documentation available the better. That includes things like old NCTs.

3 - Double check the mileage when you actually come to collect the car. A sneaky trick is to wind back to clock for initial viewings and then, just before the buyer collects the car, wind it forward again.

4 - Look for wear and tear on the seats, steering wheel, carpets and pedals. If any of these are badly worn it means that many kilometres have passed under the wheels. It's a good idea to look at as many examples of the same car as possible so you get a feel for the average condition.

5 - If you're serious about a specific model it could pay dividends to do a full history check. On the left-hand side of this page is a link to MotorCheck.ie, which provides a comprehensive check for a modest fee.

6 - Never be afraid to walk away. If something doesn't feel right, then look elsewhere.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hello Dan, here is one just like yours with similar mileage and it is retailing at €31,000, so you might offered a little less than this as a trade-in, perhaps around €29,000. This is our best guess. 

Expert answer

Hi Shay,

This kind of question is difficult to answer definitively, as there is a massive variation in rates charged by different mechanics and garages. It also depends on which engine your car has, as some take more time than others.

However, it's worth knowing that the work should take between three and five hours to complete and that you will have to pay for a water pump as well as a timing belt kit.

I'd be surprised if you get much change from €400 - 500 no matter where you get the work done.

I hope that's of some help.

Expert answer

There is no denying that the Fluence is a lot of car for the money. The TomTom edition you mention is €23,500 and it comes with all the bells and whistles and depending on your car and how old it is it could end up costing you just €19,000. This Renault is loaded with kit and the multimedia system in it is really good.

The Astra will cost you €24,155 in SRi spec so you are starting off at a higher price and the Fluence will still have better equipment levels than the Astra.

These are two quite different cars. The Astra will be much more sporty and will feel more agile, while the Renault is aimed more at comfort and space. You are likely to get a better offer on your Corsa from the Opel dealer, but a greater discount from the Renault dealer.

It really would depend on the driving you intend to do and how long you will keep this car. If I were up and down a motorway all day and in the car a lot, I would have the Renault. If I was a keen driver and enjoyed the odd back road blast I'd probably have the Opel. In terms of value, the Renault has the edge, but the Opel might be worth more in three years time.

This is a case where you really just have to drive both cars and trust your feeling on them.

Up to you from here. Let us know in the comment box below how you get on.

Expert answer

Yes, your car is eligible for the scrappage scheme. The best car you could get, if your budget stretches, is the Renault Fluence, which would cost €15,800 under the scrappage scheme. 

Renault also has a special option for taxi drivers:

"Renault has a specific extended warranty programme of up to 5 years with unlimited mileage for taxis.

Renault Ireland is the first car company on the Irish market to offer very high mileage customers like taxi drivers who purchase a Renault, this extended warranty programme. Drivers can opt for a 4^th year or 5^th year extended warranty with unlimited mileage from €529.00."

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Damian,

The Scenic's problems are well documented. We're not aware of a good set of data from Irish buyers, but in the UK, the Driver Power Survey 2010 revealed that 20 percent of Scenic owners reported electrical problems and the car scored particularly poorly in terms of reliability and build quality.

It also depends on what model you are talking about. Look out for the following:

1999 - 2003 model: leaky sunroofs, broken wiper motors, automatic gearbox problems and oil leaks.

2003 - 2009 model: ignition coil, auxiliary belt tensioner, timing belt, alternator, fuel filter, crankshaft sensor, oil leaks, idler pulley, water pump, thermostat, catalytic converter, door seal and sunroof leaks, problems with the key card and battery faults.

We're not saying that every version will have all or any of those problems, but these have been reported by previous owners.

Expert answer

Hi Tanya,

Without knowing your budget just yet, it is a little difficult to guess, but a car that is a top buy for a family, with a great boot is something like a Skoda Octavia. One like this has low mileage, a frugal diesel engine and will be perfect for a lot of mileage. It is solid and has a great sized boot too.

The Nissan Qashqai has been a massive seller in Ireland of late, with good reason too, as it is very good value, has a brilliant safety record, looks great and is perfect for a family. Here is a fully loaded 1.5-litre diesel for €20,950 with low mileage. 

You could have the choice of a number of family hatchbacks too, such as a Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Auris or perhaps even a small MPV.

Come back to us with more details and we will try and help you further. Just add your comment to the comment box below.

Expert answer

I am going to refer your question to someone who has spent time in both models and get back to you as soon as possible. Jarlath Sweeney is Editor of Fleet Magazine and he has spent time in both cars. Here is what he has to say about the Rangers:

"The differences between old and new Rangers are chalk and cheese - everything about the present one is improved from driveline to handling - we did Malin to Mizin twice over 3 days 2 years ago and could not complain. It is important to have a little load in the rear to aid stability however. There is a facelifted version due soon"

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Carl,

The thing about fuel economy figures from the manufacturer is that they are often very difficult to match. We seldom match them, as they are recorded using specific lab conditions and are often not really reflective of real-world conditions.

There are some things you can do to improve your fuel economy however:

1 Pump up to cut down 

Under-inflated tyres create more resistance. That means your engine has to work harder, so more fuel is used. Check and adjust your tyre pressures regularly, and also before long journeys.

2 Less clutter means less CO₂ 

Clutter in your boot is extra weight in your car. By removing it, you could reduce your engine's workload. This will burn less fuel.

3 Drive at an appropriate speed 

Staying at or within the speed limit not only increases driver safety, it also reduces fuel consumption. At 110km/h you could be using nine percent more fuel than at 100km/h, and up to 15 percent more fuel than at 80km/h.

4 Less stopping and starting 

Every time you stop then start again in a traffic queue the engine uses more fuel. Keep an eye on the traffic ahead and slow down early by gently lifting your foot off the accelerator while keeping the car in gear. The traffic may have started moving again by the time you reach the vehicle in front, so you can change up a gear and be on your way.

5 Over-revving accelerates emissions 

Modern car engines are designed to be efficient from the moment they are switched on, so revving up like a Formula 1 car in pole position only wastes fuel and increases engine wear. Using your gears wisely by changing up a gear a little earlier can also reduce revs.

6 Idling is wasting fuel 

When the engine is idling, you're wasting fuel. If you're likely to be at a standstill for more than three minutes, simply switch off the engine.

 – Source: Defra UK

Expert answer

Hi Angela,

We spoke to Shane Teskey from Motorcheck.ie and he gave us the following advice:

"Buying a used car through a third party is a risky business and not something we would recommend. Knowing who you're buying a car from is as important as checking the car's history. If you buy through this third party will you have a full 12-month warranty (check the fine print - some warranties aren't worth the paper they're printed on!)?

Have you been given the registration number and V5 documented details? What's the potential saving and would it justify taking a trip to the dealer to inspect the car in person?

Add to this the fact that you risk losing a substantial deposit of €495 and I'd say walk away. Shop local!"

I would echo this, there are so many good used Irish cars around at the moment that I would check all these first, before embarking on anything that sounds like it might be risky.