Expert answer

Hi Shane,

Expert answer

Hi Daniel,

Sorry to hear about the Scirocco - that 2.0 TDI version is great.

A quick browse of Carzone.ie with your budget and needs in mind brought up a few interesting options:

- Audi A3 2.0 TDI 140 - in Sport or S Line guises for maximum style - loads around
- BMW 118d M Sport - quite rare, but great to drive
- BMW 320d Coupé - you'd have to go pre-2008 with your budget, but current style at least
- Honda Civic Type S - 2.2 diesel is great and post-2008 is taxed according to emissions
- MINI Cooper D - loads around in all different colours at your budget

I've picked out the cars I reckon you'll like and I've left out things like the Volkswagen Golf and regular Ford Focus (among others).

What do you think?

Come back to us and let us know if we're on the right track.

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Hi Mairead,

That’s the 1.6 diesel that’s in almost everything; from Citroens and Peugeots to MINIs, Fords, Volvos and Mazdas. As such, it’s a pretty reliable engine, as long as it’s been properly serviced and fed a regular diet of high-grade synthetic oil. Keep an eye on the fragile water pumps and exhaust gas recirculation valves, though.

As for the rest of the car, tread carefully. That was the last Citroen to come with the legendary Hydragas suspension system as standard, and while that’s terrific from a point of view of comfort, it is a complex and often fragile system. Ditto the C5’s complex electrical system. Make sure it has a full and complete service history and, if there are any gaps or if the overall condition is anything less than excellent, walk away.

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Hi Tom,

First thing to do is pop along to Cartell.ie and pay for a full history check, as this will tell you a lot. Then, ask the seller to scan or photograph all the documentation for you so you can check it before you go any further.

After that, you either make the journey to Dublin to test the car or you pay an independent assessor (the AA provides such a service) to do it for you.

Expert answer

Hi there,

It depends on your driving style, and on where you do most of your driving. If you’re in town all the time, and stuck in stop-start traffic, then it could be worth tracking down a Toyota Prius or a Honda Insight hybrid, bot of which should sip fuel in such circumstances. If you’re up on main roads and motorways all day long, then diesel is still a good idea. A VW Golf 1.6 TDI BlueMotion would be a solid bet for maximum economy then, although if you fancy something a little more stylish, a MINI Cooper D (with the 1.6 diesel engine) will crack 60mpg on a long run.

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Hi Shane,

If this is the exhaust noise we think it is then this is quite normal in the sportier MINIs - it was engineered in! The spark timing is retarded intentionally to allow a small amount of unburned fuel into the exhaust, where it then combusts giving a distinctive sound on the overrun. Many think it sounds sporty.

If it happens at other times then you may have a problem. Best to get it listened to by an expert.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Suzie,

Others to consider include the Citroen C3 and Fiat 500, Mazda2, Nissan Micra, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 207, SEAT Ibiza, Skoda Fabia and Suzuki Swift. They're all good small cars. Given your low mileage you're definitely better off with a petrol model.

I assume you know that you could afford slightly larger cars in the Ford Focus class as well with that budget, but that you don't want one that big? They'd be far more comfortable on the motorway.

With all that in mind, and sticking to your small car demand, we reckon one of the three Volkswagen Group cars makes the most sense - that's the Skoda Fabia, SEAT Ibiza or the Polo. If you'd like help narrowing down your search further come back to us.

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Hi Peter,

Suppliers of MINI accessories in Ireland appear to be few and far between we are afraid. The guys on miniclub.ie swear by a Ballincollig-based specialist called O'Leary's, but without a website we were not able to get any more information.

Thankfully the UK is swarming with MINI specialists with some offering original equipment at discounted prices while others specialise in aftermarket MINI parts. Here are a few examples:

www.minigenuineparts.co.uk

www.minisport2.com

www.minimaniauk.co.uk

mybeautifulmini.com

Hope that helps. Let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Eric,

I'm afraid there's no easy answer to that. It'll depend on your circumstances and on the amount of money you wish to borrow as much as anything. While it is not as easy as it once was to obtain credit banks are happy to loan to 'good bets'.

Beyond the high street banks it's well worth checking out what finance the dealer you're buying from offers. Several car makers have effectively set up their own car finance arm to make the process easier. This includes BMW/MINI, Ford, Renault and the Volkswagen Group.

As ever shop around, but if want some specific help please do come back to us.

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

First of all, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) utilises the ABS sensors to operate, so if you have DSC then you have ABS. We checked with MINI Ireland about standard equipment on the Cooper S and they confirmed that the September 2008 to 2009 model year version did indeed have DSC as standard, which incorporates ABS, as well as Anti Skid Control (ASC) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC).

Hope that helps.