Expert answer

Hi Kay,

From your description, I'm going to assume you need a decent boot, but outright range is probably not so important and you're unconcerned with rear-seat space. Given you have solar panels, you should be able to charge up the car at home during the day, for 'free' most of the time as well, which is great.

There are some excellent brand-new electric cars around for under the €30,000 mark, such as the MG4 EV, Nissan Micra and Renault 5. The boots in the latter two may not hold all your golf stuff, though you can of course fold down the rear seats to do so. And if you're willing to do that, then you really should also consider the excellent Hyundai Inster.

Our top choice for you, though, is the Renault 4 E-Tech electric, which has a bigger boot than all of the others mentioned here, along with a relatively upright seating position, making it easy to get in and out of.

Here are links to our reviews of the above cars for your interest, but don't hesitate to send us another question if you want us to help you narrow down your search:

MG4 EV reviews

Renault 5 reviews

Nissan Micra reviews

Renault 4 reviews

Expert answer

Hi Terence,

I'm assuming you and the car are not in Ireland. If so, then I'm afraid VRT is still payable on importation into Ireland regardless of the fact that the car is a gift.

It is paid on what Revenue calls the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP), which is the value Revenue believes the car to be worth following registration.

Expert answer

Hi Santiago,

The electric Nissan Micra is offered with two different battery capacities and chemistries. The entry-level 40kWh battery uses lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) without any nickel or cobalt. This chemistry generally means lower cost, but also better thermal stability and durability.

The 52kWh battery in the Micra uses nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC), lithium-ion chemistry. NMC batteries generally have higher energy density, but are more expensive to make and sometimes less durable.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Expert answer

Hi Stephen,

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.