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I'm about to buy my first car...

I have €1,300 saved for a first car. Preferably looking for a Polo or Golf with a smaller engine but anything will do. What kind of insurance would I be looking at for a young driver on something like that?

Bevan Gillmor (Mullingar)

Jan 2021 Filed under: insurance

Expert answer

Hi Bevan,

Sadly, insurance is the critical thing here, and it’s the bit we can help you with least as Irish insurers — as ever — ladle on the risk when it comes to young drivers. Any ballpark figure we give you could be €1,000 — or more — out.

On cars, we’re a little more solid. A 1.2 Polo would be perfect, and a 2005 to 2006 model should be just about within budget. Better yet, track down a first-gen Toyota Yaris — endlessly reliable, way more enjoyable to drive than you’d think and has an absolute peach of a 1.0 engine. Don’t forget the Nissan Micra, either — yes, it’s predictable and a bit grey-haired, but they make an excellent starter car and, like the Yaris, are better to drive than you'd expect. 


How much will road tax be on a 181 Micra?

181 Nissan Micra 898cc: how much will road tax be?

Dympna McGurrinSmith (Sligo)

Oct 2020 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Dympna,

The motor tax on that Micra won't be changing due to the new tax bands announced yesterday in Budget 2021. Our information is that your car emits 99g/km of CO2, so it's in Band A2 costing €180 per year. That is not set to change. 

Read Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained for full details


Can I change my Micra's speedometer?

I have a 2012 Nissan Micra and I would like to change the speedometer from mph to km/h; is this possible?

Niamh Lynch (Cork)

Jun 2020 Filed under: electrics

Expert answer

Hi Niamh,

OK, there are a few options here. You could go down the DIY route — there are second hand instrument clusters available on eBay, and plenty of tutorials on YouTube, but — and we can’t emphasise this enough — that’s the risky option. Lots of opportunity for an expensive mistake.

The simplest thing to do is go to your local Nissan dealer. Now, they might offer to swap out the entire panel — which is expensive — but really you’d be better off asking them to simply replace the face of the speedometer dial with a new one, which sometimes can be done with a sticker. A much more affordable alternative.

Or, just learn some maths. The ready-reckoner is that 30mph is just under 50km/h; 40mph  is just under 65km/h, 50mph is about 80km/h, 60mph is just under 100km/h and 75mph is a little over 120km/h.


VRT on a 2009 Nissan Micra from the UK?

Hi,

If I bought an 09 Nissan Micra from the UK for £2,000 what would the VRT rate be please?

Jason Currill (Kilkenny )

Jun 2020 Filed under: VRT

Expert answer

Hi Jason,

Sadly, it matters not what you paid for it, but what the car would be worth here in Ireland. A 2009 Micra is going to be worth around €3,500 on the Irish market (assuming it's in excellent condition with a full service history) and that model has CO2 emissions of 139g/km. That puts it in VRT Band B3, which means you have to pay 19 per cent of the Irish market value, which would work out at roughly €665.


Economical auto and reliable for €6,000?

Hi there,

Could you recommend something for us around €6k that's economical, cheap to tax and reliable? We don't have a clue what to buy; it just needs reasonable room for two plus a child. Just to make things more challenging it needs to be automatic. Any directions you could point us in would be much appreciated!

John Smith (Kilkenny )

Aug 2019 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi John,

OK, that’s a slightly tough set of criteria, but I think we’ve found some winners. How about a Honda Insight Hybrid? Ultra-low CO2 means ultra-low tax, it’s auto, Hondas run for ever, it’ll do 50mpg easy and there’s just about enough space for a family of three. Your budget gets you a 2010 model.

If you need something smaller, there are automatic Nissan Micras around for that sort of money, but you might find them a bit small for the wee one. Fancy something posh? You could try a 2010 Mercedes C 180 Estate, which we found, but the tax on that will be a bit higher. Something newer? A Skoda Fabia Combi estate from 2012? Reliable and tonnes of space in the boot. Cracking car.


Which small car for infrequent use?

Can you recommend the best car for infrequent use? I currently own a 2010 1.6 SEAT Leon, but as I now bus it to work I don't need a diesel engine and it's gathering dust in the driveway weekdays. I just need something for pottering around at the weekend and any holidays. I'm thinking Nissan Micra, Hyundai i10/i20, Ford Fiesta. Don't need a huge car as there's only two of us. Not looking for something massively pricey, but with trade-in perhaps a 151 or 161 model.

Stephen Ridgeway (Dublin)

Oct 2018 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Stephen,

The best car for this job sounds to me like a Toyota Yaris. No, it’s not exciting, nor is it thrilling to drive, but it’s among the most reliable cars you can buy. Being as regular use is what keeps a car reliable (along with proper servicing) you’ll want to maximise reliability considering that the car will be left sitting for long periods. 


How much to replace my Micra's clutch?

How much roughly to get the clutch replaced in a 2011 Nissan Micra please?

Marian Cunningham (Oranmore )

Nov 2017 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Marian,

As hourly labour rates vary so much from garage to garage, that's not an easy one for us to answer. Likewise, the parts themselves can vary in price depending on where they are bought from. The best we can do is tell you that the work should take about four and a half hours. Ring around a few garages with that knowledge in mind.


Corsa, Corolla, Micra or Polo for €2,000?

Hi, I am a first car buyer in Ireland. I would like to buy an automatic car.

The ones I am interested in are a 2002 Opel Corsa, 2004 Toyota Corolla 1.6, a Nissan Micra 1.0 from 2002 or a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 from 2000. All of them cost between €1,750 and €2,000. I am wondering if these prices are realistic for cars like these, and given the types, which one would be the best choice?

Thank you in advance,

K

Katalin Csesznek (Cork)

Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Katalin,

Yes, the prices are realistic, but pick from either the Toyota or the Nissan as both will be the most reliable by far, and if you're on a budget, that really matters. Worth remembering though that the Corolla and Micra are very different cars – the Corolla is much bigger and more spacious, the Micra smaller and a little easier to park so factor that into your decision.


I need a small, reliable commuting car.

Hello, looking for a small, economical, reliable car for commuting. I currently have a 1.0-litre Nissan Micra. I do 110km a day, 5-6 days a week.

What would you recommend?

Elaine Henry (Sligo)

Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Elaine,

You're kind of on the cusp of being better off with a diesel with that kind of mileage. There are a few cars that are worth looking at. Sticking with petrol? Try a Honda Jazz - small but very spacious, and the 1.2-litre engine is pretty frugal. Want to go for a small diesel? Try a Volkswagen Polo. Want something a little more fun, but still very frugal (albeit not very roomy in the back)? Try a MINI Cooper D.


Is my Nissan Micra's head gasket gone?

I have a 2003 Nissan Micra 1.2 and I am forever putting coolant in it. The person I bought it off said it was the radiator and replaced it but, I have since taken it to another person for them to tell me it's the head gasket and will cost me the price of a new engine if that is the case. I have no water oil mixing just the temp light coming on so I add coolant.

Any help appreciated

Laura Maher (Laois)

Jun 2015 Filed under: fault

Expert answer

Hi Laura,

I'm afraid there doesn't have to be visible water/oil mixing for there to be a head gasket problem so that may well be the issue. Before going to get that work done you should park the car somewhere dry and clean underneath and let it run and keep an eye under the engine. Are there any visible water leaks? It could be as simple as that.

If not, bring the car to a garage to have the system pressure-tested etc. Don't delay though; if the head gasket is gone and you continue to drive it, you really could do a lot of damage.

Best of luck


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