Expert answer

Hi Michael,

Assuming it has been registered and used in the North “for a reasonable period of time” (Revenue’s words, generally accepted to mean more than three months), then no VAT or import duty should be payable, and as the car is over 30 years old the VRT is a flat €200.

Expert answer

Hi Anita,

Whether you won it or not, you will still be liable for all costs to import the vehicle and register it in the South. From the information you've given, we believe you'd only have VRT to pay. 

However, you will need to book an appointment to have the vehicle inspected at an NCT centre within seven days of it arriving in Ireland and you have 30 days to complete the procedure. I.e. you'll have to pay VRT on it as a passenger car if that's what it was on arriving in Ireland.

You can of course do the conversion afterwards. 

Expert answer

Hi Anita,

I'm not sure we have all the information here, but if I understand it correctly, it's a UK or Northern Ireland registered car that you've won and you're living in Ireland.

If it is registered as a passenger car then you'll have to import it as that and pay VRT and the NOx levy at least. If it was used in the North by someone other than a car dealer then that should be it, but if it has come from England, Scotland or Wales then you'll also have to pay VAT and import duty. 

With such an old diesel, the NOx levy could be up to €4,850, and I'm not sure how you calculated €400 for VRT. It's likely to be in the top band at 41 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price (i.e. the value Revenue places on the car in Ireland). Even if it's deemed to be worth only €5,000 (which is unlikely), the VRT would be €2,050.

If you decide to pay all these costs and register the Shogun here, then you can go about converting it to a commercial SUV, but that won't be cheap either I'm afraid as the work has to be certified afterwards.

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

The Prius is due to land in Ireland in June so I'd expect cars available to test in dealers by early July. Have you seen our first drive review of the car?

And yes, you're right about the Mitsubishi - the brand is no longer being sold here.

Expert answer

Hi Gary,

If our data is correct, that should be in Band B2 for tax because of its 139g/km emissions. That means €280 per annum.

Things might change in tomorrow's Budget of course...

Expert answer

Hi Jack,

Motor tax for a 2008 Mitsubishi L200 is going to be chunky, because it is powered by a 2.5-litre engine and, when taxing a commercial as a private car, you have to revert to the old by-engine-capacity tax system, so it’s €1,080 a year.

As for getting it changed over, all you have to do is ring up your local motor tax office and tell them what you want to do, and they’ll guide you through the process.

As for insurance, as ever in Ireland it’s think of a number and double it, but there are some specialist van insurers out there (InsureMyVan for example) who might be able to work out a better quote. Shop around is our advice.

Expert answer

Hi Sue,

It's unlikely that your car will pass the NCT in that state. It's very possible that the rubber boots over the CV joints have been damaged and the car could be declared to have a dangerous defect, which means you would not be allowed to drive it away from the NCT centre. This is a safety issue, not just a noise problem, so you really shouldn't drive the car until you get it fixed.

Expert answer

Hi Alan,

The problem here is that you’re trying to do some of it through the company and some of it yourself, which to be honest doesn’t really work. First off, if you want to use the company (or individual’s) VAT number then the car is going to have to be registered to them, not to you. In theory you can tax a vehicle commercially without a VAT number, but in practice it’s tricky, and if you get caught using it for any social, domestic, or pleasure use then there are big fines ahoy. 

Expert answer

Hi Dave,

I'm surprised to hear that from a new truck where the battery will be in good condition, but stop-start systems regularly don't work as people expect. The system measures loads of variables before deciding whether the engine will be stopped, including the temperature of the engine and even the outside temperature. If it's cold weather, it may not work at all. If you're using items that are a big electrical drain, it may not operate. 

Read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature

Expert answer

Hi Ruth,

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

You only need to show proof of business use if you’re taxing it purely as a commercial vehicle. If you’re taxing it for private use, then all you have to do is let the local motor tax office know, and they’ll shift you to the old by-engine-capacity tax system. As for insurance, just talk to your insurer or broker and they’ll get your sorted. 

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

We’d go for the slightly later, slightly more expensive Outlander, and sacrifice a couple of options. That update was a major one, not just on the styling front, but on the mechanical front too. The second-generation Outlander PHEV was more refined than before, and there were some significant improvements to the electric part of the powertrain, which make it both a bit quicker under electric-only power, and a bit more economical overall. 

Expert answer

Hi Ultan,

When you tax a commercial vehicle as a private car, it means you revert to the old by-engine-capacity tax system, so with a 2.5-litre engine, a 2014 L200 is going to cost you €1,080 a year in road tax.

Expert answer

Hi Jacinta,

Yes, you can. Anyone can buy a commercial vehicle and take advantage of the lower rates of VRT — that’s fine. The only tricky part comes, as you rightly point out, when it comes to taxing them. Then you have to tax the vehicle as a private car, and that means (for some bizarre reason) reverting to the old  by-engine-capacity tax, which obviously is going to be a bit pricey for a 3.0 Hilux. Maybe consider a 2.0-litre turbo VW Amarok, as that will bring down your annual motor tax bill considerably. 

Read this for more: Buying a commercial vehicle for private use

Expert answer

Hi Tracey,

OK, the Triton is basically the same as our L200 pickup, so it’ll be assessed for Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) at 13.3 per cent of the Irish market selling price. An L200 of that sort of age, depending on condition, will be worth around €10-12,000 so you’re probably looking at around €1,500 or so in VRT costs. Because it’s an older car you won’t  need to worry about VAT, but because it’s coming from outside the EU, there will be customs duty to pay, which is usually charged at 10 per cent of the vehicle cost plus shipping. When you bring the car in, you have a week to officially notify Revenue that the car is in the country, and then 30 days to book your VRT inspection appointment and complete the process. 

Expert answer

Hi Tony,

Currently you can buy the following hybrids on the Irish market: Toyota Corolla, CH-R, RAV4, Prius, Yaris, and there are probably a few run-out  examples of the Auris Hybrid out there still in dealerships. There’s also the Kia Niro and the Hyundai Ioniq. There’s the full Lexus range — CT, IS, RC, GS, ES, LS, NX, RX and LC. There’s the Ford Mondeo Hybrid, too. There’s the new Honda CR-V Hybrid, some Mercedes diesel-hybrids and petrol plug-in hybrids, oh and the new AMG 53 six-cylinder mild hybrids.

Suzuki does mild hybrids too — for the Baleno, Swift and Ignis. Then there are the plug-in hybrids — Kia Niro and Hyundai Ioniq again, plus the Volvo XC90 and XC60 T8 models, along with the S90 and V90; the BMW i8, 330e, 530e, X5 40e, 225xe, and the MINI Countryman S E; there’s also the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport plug-ins, the Mitsubishi Outlander, the Volkswagen Golf and Passat GTE, the Audi Q7 e-tron and the Porsche Panamera and Cayenne.

I bet I've forgotten some...

Expert answer

Hi Dara,

The best plug-in hybrids around at the moment are the Kia Niro PHEV, the Toyota Prius PHEV and the Volkswagen Golf GTE (assuming you can find a GTE in stock...). Now, these are smaller than your Qashqai inside, so you may need to make that compromise in order to get the plug-in hybrid efficiency. The revised Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is massive inside, and rather nice, but thirsty if you’re not plugging it in all the time and making maximum use of the electric part of the powertrain.

A conventional hybrid might also be worth a look, especially given that you’re driving mostly in town. Honda is just about to launch a hybrid version of the hugely impressive new CR-V, and the new Toyota RAV4 is arriving in dealerships around now. Both are well worth considering if you can stretch the budget out to something brand-new.

Here are some relevant reviews:

Kia Niro PHEV review

Toyota Prius PHEV review

Volkswagen Golf GTE review

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV review

Honda CR-V Hybrid review

Expert answer

Hi Ann,

The XC40 is a really likeable car, but you’ll probably find that it’s neither as refined, nor quite as comfortable to drive as the S60 (the ride quality just isn’t as good). It’s also less roomy in the boot. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a very clever vehicle, but to make the most of it, you need to have a driveway and a charging point, and be covering most of your mileage around town. The battery pack, on a full charge, should get you around 35km of electric-only driving, but if you head out on the motorway a lot, you’ll run the battery down very quickly and then fuel consumption will hover at around the 30mpg mark.

Read our reviews below:

Volvo XC40 reviews

Mitsubishi Outlander reviews

Expert answer

Hi Neil,

We’ve checked with Mitsubishi, and there are some offers available for 191 registrations for the Eclipse Cross. "Our main offer for the Eclipse Cross for '191' is 1.9 per cent APR on HP finance” said a Mitsubishi spokesperson. “The entry level Invite model is available from €27,900 so with this offer the monthly payment is just €352.62 over 49 months, with a deposit or trade-in of €11,160.”

If you want to get a nearly-new 181 version, then there’s no specific time of the year to buy that’s better. Used car demand doesn’t fluctuate as much as new car demand, and while there will (probably) be some extra trade-ins rolling onto forecourts in January, the numbers won’t be big enough to make a huge difference. If you want to drive the best bargain, just make sure you buy in the last week of the month, or better yet, the last week of the last month of a quarter — that’s when dealers and sales staff are trying to hit their targets, so are more likely to strike a deal.

Expert answer

Hi F D,

No, there’ll be no issue on spare parts. There’s an EU directive that states that a car manufacturer must provide spare parts backup for all models for up to 15 years following the cessation of production. On top of which, Mitsubishi in Ireland currently offers an eight-year warranty on all its vehicles, so not only will parts most definitely be available for the Lancer in that period, chances are you won’t even be charged if you need them. The only issue could come further down the line, if specific parts become scarce, but that’s a long way’s off.

Expert answer

Hi Karen,

Expert answer

Hi Jonathan,

The 2.2 diesel Outlander has a timing belt, not a chain, so that will need inspecting depending on the mileage. As for cars with proper 4x4 ability, try a Land Rover Freelander 2 (more reliable than you’d think), Jeep Cherokee, Nissan X-Trail or Toyota RAV4.

Expert answer

Hi Al,

BMW, Audi and Mercedes don't do an in-house commercial option, but you can get an aftermarket conversion, of course.

One option worth looking at is the Jeep Grand Cherokee. A really nice car, good to drive and Agnelli Motors on the Naas Road in Dublin do a five-seat commercial conversion with prices starting around the €45k mark.

There's also the Toyota Land Cruiser 'Business' model, but it's a bit more expensive,  at €57k. Utterly indestructible though and hugely comfortable.

Just make sure you've properly taxed it if you're planning on using it for domestic or family motoring as the fines for using a commercially taxed vehicle for that are pretty stiff. 

Expert answer

Hi Emer,

Most so-called ‘scrappage’ deals aren’t actually anything to do with scrappage, they’re just trade-in boosters. But yes, they tend to be only available on new cars, not used ones. Have a chat with your dealer and see what you can work out with them though.

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

Mitsubishis tend to be hugely reliable, but you need to be cautious with a small diesel car like this as it’s possible that it will only have been used to do short hops around town, and not many long journeys. That can lead to premature engine wear and tear as it can’t heat up properly on short journeys, and you can expect to have problems with the exhaust's diesel particulate filter. Check the interior carefully too – they’re robust inside, but the door seals can let in water, which can lead to a damp, mouldy cabin.

Expert answer

Hi Andrew,

Yes, but you need to be careful. The current diesel Outlander has a maximum braked towing weight of 2,000kg (or 1,500kg for the plugin hybrid version), but if the total weight of car and trailer exceeds 3,500kg then you need to have the proper Category BE (car and trailer) driver's licence, not just the standard Category B licence. 

Expert answer

Hi Hina,

It’s a decent car, but very, very dull and the cabin, although well built, doesn’t wear very well and is prone to picking up unsightly marks and scratches. Reliability is very good, but don’t expect terrific resale as they’re quite simply a car that is not in huge demand.

Expert answer

Hi Kathleen,

The new Toyota Prius looks to be rather impressive, and with just 70g/km of CO₂ it'll certainly be cheap to tax. We reckon you should probably look beyond the Prius though, to the new generation of plugin hybrids that can offer significantly longer electric-only range (as much as 50km) and which still have a petrol engine and a decent fuel tank for longer journeys. Have a look at the Volkswagen Golf GTE or Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV for example.

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

The Outlander is a decent car, and hugely well equipped, not to mention having seven seats. It's fine to drive, and the recent update has brought better refinement and a higher quality cabin.

There's no question though that an X3 would be sophisticated and more engaging to drive, but it's well worth checking out the new and more affordable X1 - it's much improved over its predecessor and almost as spacious as the X3.

The Mitsubishi should beat both in terms of long term reliability though.

Relevant reviews:

Mitsubishi Outlander review

BMW X3 review

BMW X1 review

Expert answer

Hi Paul,

Yes, and no. And a bit yes. It still depends on your lifestyle and driving habits. Lots of short journeys, mostly around town? Don't mind taking the time to plan long journeys carefully and be prepared to take breaks for charge ups?

Things are getting dramatically better though. Nissan has just updated the Leaf with a new 30kwh battery (read our review of it here) that extends its range to around 250km, which is a lot more useful, and if you're suitably loaded a Tesla Model S can go for 500km between charges.

If you're not quite ready to take the full electric car plunge, how about a plugin hybrid? Short hops under electric power with a petrol engine for longer journeys. Try the Volkswagen Golf GTE, Audi A3 e-tron, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or a Volvo XC90 T8.

However, if you're looking for a second hand car, your options with electric power are severely limited, as sales have been slow so far.

Expert answer

Hi Adrienne,

OK, let me take that section by section...

(A) Most small crossovers use 1.5- or 1.6-litre diesel engines so you're going to average between 40- and 50mpg in any of them. Ignore the official consumption figures - they're not representative of real-world driving.

(B) Standard spec on most will include at least air conditioning and probably Bluetooth, but the items you've listed will push prices up into the €25-30k region.

(C) Kia, Hyundai and Mitsubishi have the best warranties on the market at the moment - seven, five and eight years respectively. Ford, Renault and Peugeot all offer five-year warranties too, while Fiat offers a four-year one. Most others have three-year cover. In terms of reliability, Japanese and Korean brands will almost always beat their European and American competitors.

Of the cars you're looking at, I'd say the strongest contenders are Honda's new HR-V, the Jeep Renegade, the Peugeot 2008 and the Kia Soul. All well worth a look.

Relevant reviews:

Honda HR-V review

Jeep Renegade review

Peugeot 2008 review

Kia Soul review

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

Bit of a 'piece of string' question, as it depends entirely on what Revenue decides the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) for that car is, and VRT will be 13.5% of that number. Based on what a 2012 L200 Warrior sells for I'd say it'll be about €2,500, but then again, I don't work for Revenue...

Expert answer

Hi Louise,

Yup, the Outlander is a cracking car (although you'll have to accept that it's not as spacious as the Discovery) and Mitsubishi does indeed have PCP plans available. Your local dealer will have all the details.

Read our review of the Mitsubishi Outlander

Expert answer

Hi Ed,

Land Rover's quality has been getting better and better and it seems as if the current Discovery model has shaken off a lot of its reputation for weak gearboxes and electrical maladies. I think it's probably worth the punt, but there are two other good options - both the Mitsubishi Pajero and Toyota Land Cruiser are also available in 'business versions' that mean you can buy them for the price of a commercial but you get the back seats and luxury touches. That said, you'll have to tax them as a private car if you're going to carry the kids around - it's a €4,000 fine if you're caught with the incorrect tax.

Expert answer

Hi Mike,

You'll probably pay in and around the €13,000 mark for it and as far as we're aware these are solidly reliable cars with no common major problems. 

Expert answer

Hi Jillian,

OK, there's a few good options out there. You could try and track down a Mitsubishi Grandis - think of it as a Japanese Ford S-Max, with space for seven and endless reliability, but I'm slightly worried that you might be caught for space as your kids get bigger. How about something van-based? A Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life has seats for seven, lots of space and  based on a commercial vehicle means it'll go forever. That 1.6 TDI  engine makes it cheap to run too.

If you need more space than that, then you're into big van-with-windows territory such as a Ford Transit Tourneo or Volkswagen Caravelle, but these are really big and unwieldy and can be pretty thirsty. If you can all squeeze into the Caddy happily enough, that's the one I'd go for.

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

There are some very good options here actually. Both the Land Rover Discovery Business and the Mitsubishi Pajero Executive have full five-seat, leather-and-everything cabins, but their boots are big enough to qualify for commercial VRT and motor tax (assuming you can demonstrate that your business needs a commercial vehicle). The Land Rover Defender can be had in similar layout but if you want something really rugged then go for the Volkswagen Amarok pickup, which matches comfort with utility. There's also the Toyota Hilux crew-cab and Mitsubishi is about to launch a new L200 pickup later this summer.

Expert answer

Hi Laura,

It's a home-grown Mitsubishi engine, called the 4N1, which was first introduced in 2010. 

Expert answer

Hi Anthony,

The Pulsar or the cee'd would be the most sensible choices and both fall well within your budget. Both are reliable and decent to drive, and the Kia's not bad looking either. In fact, I reckon you should go for the estate version of the cee'd - it's one of the nicest, comfiest and most practical cars around.

Further reading to help you decide:

Kia cee'd review

Nissan Pulsar review

Kia Sportage review

Peugeot 3008 review

Expert answer

Hi Elaine,

I think you might be getting two models confused, there. If you mean a Mazda2 then it's small, zippy, fun to drive and endlessly reliable. If you mean a Mitsubishi Colt then it's more spacious than the Mazda and also reliable but nowhere near as fun to drive.

Expert answer

Hi Jane,

I have to admit I'm not a big fan of the current X3. Too hard-riding and not practical enough for my liking, although I'll grant you it's very good to drive. 

But, while the Outlander isn't the most exciting or dynamic vehicle around, it does have a few advantages. It can be had as a seven-seater, it comes with an eight-year warranty and Mitsubishis tend to be very reliable.

Best of all, for the price of an X3 you could get into the PHEV plugin hybrid Outlander, which is a properly ground breaking car. Get an E-Car charger on the driveway (you should still be able to get a free one if you're quick) and you'll be able to go 50km without using the petrol engine, but you still have a proper fuel tank on board for long journeys and can average 40mpg with the petrol engine going. 

Can't go wrong, really...

Further reading:

BMW X3 review (pre-facelift model)

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV review (first Irish drive)

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

You can get a full run down on what we thought of the Pajero here. But the short version is: it's a bit old fashioned but we really rather like it. It's big, comfy and should be endlessly reliable. The Pajero's reputation is that you can't kill it with a stick...

On the tax side, things are a little more complex. The good news is that because the Pajero Executive's boot space qualifies it for commercial rate Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) you can get it, fully loaded with leather, automatic and a kick-ass sound system, for a lot less than many more prestigious rivals. 

You can also claim back the VAT if you're buying it for business purposes, although your accountant is the person you should be asking about that, not me. 

The trickier thing is road tax. Theoretically you can just pay the commercial vehicle road tax on one of these but it's complicated. You have to be able to prove, if challenged, that you bought the car for strictly business purposes. That's fine if you're, say, a developer or an architect or a builder or a farmer - someone who needs to carry big loads and visit muddy construction sites a lot. But if you're, say, a software engineer then that's just not going to fly and you're going to get a massive fine for your troubles. Better to pay the full passenger car rate (€1,200 in this case) and be on the safe side.

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

Just as it's difficult for you to describe a noise to us, it's very difficult for us to help analyse the problem from afar. A hollow noise could be caused by a hole in the exhaust (it would be there even when the car isn't moving) or it could be something else entirely. Best bet is to bring the car along to a good mechanic.

Expert answer

Hi Debbie,

If you're importing it as a commercial vehicle (and it may well be that Revenue will ask for some proof of its future use before allowing you to do so) then it comes in under Category B, so it's a minimum of €125 VRT, or 13.3 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price, or OMSP.

How much that is can best be answered by me waving this piece of string around and asking you how long it is. I'd take a stab at around €8-900,  but honestly that's just a SWAG (Scientific Wild-Assed Guess). You won't know for sure until the car has been inspected. The wonderful certainties of the Irish vehicle taxation system...

If you're not importing it as a commercial, but as a private vehicle, then you're going to be paying more. The CO₂ emissions for the 2. 5D with 114hp were 186g/km, which puts the L200 into the ninth VRT band, which means you'll pay 30 per cent VRT. That should work out at about €1,500 or so, but again, that's a total finger-in-the-air guess and I can't offer you any more than that without taking the actual, physical car to Revenue myself for the valuation.

Best of luck with it

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

Hmmm. Tough choice. Please note that the following is based purely on personal taste and other opinions are available. They're wrong, but they're available...

1. Honda CR-V: Not the glamorous choice but it's massively spacious, comfy, well made and frugal. Might be worth waiting for the new 150hp 1.6 diesel which arrives later this year - alongside a facelift.

2. Audi Q5: Super-slick, nice to drive and has a cracking 2.0 TDI diesel engine. 

3. Mitsubishi Outlander: Referring specifically to the PHEV plugin hybrid, it's the most cost-effective and practical way of going (partially) electric and it's hugely clever. 

4. Hyundai Santa Fe: Stylish, spacious and affordable plus it has a five-year warranty. Hard to beat, really. 

5. BMW X3: It's a sight better looking than the original X3 but it's still quite stiff-riding and it's not as nice to drive as the Q5.

6. Subaru Forester: Not pretty and it has a terrible cabin (all cheap plastics and ancient-looking displays) but it's probably the most ruggedly reliable car here and has genuine off-road ability. 

Further reading:

Road test of the Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC

First Irish drive of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Road test of the Hyundai Santa Fe

Road test of the Subaru Forester

Expert answer

Hi Edward,

We found several by doing a search on www.partfinder.ie - you can then choose which is closest to you as that's much too heavy a thing to put in the post!

Best of luck

Expert answer

Hi Chris,

The thing to bear in mind here is that the engine rarely has to directly power the wheels; most of the time it operates (at set optimum speeds) to turn the generator and charge the battery pack. Other than that, when it does power the front wheels it's at specific speeds in particular conditions, for which we assume it has been calibrated. The addition of a CVT may well enhance the situation, but it would add another chunk of weight to an already heavy vehicle.

Electric motors don't need a continuously varying gear ratio to operate efficiently.

You can read our drive of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV here

Expert answer

Hi Kieran,

The first place we'd look is the fuse box. It's quite possible that both the clock and the radio use the same fuse. Failing that it's time to bring the car to an auto electrician.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi Jane,

Sounds like you want to move back into a proper MPV and the best one around at the moment, for my money, is the Citroen C4 Picasso. Citroen registered a bundle of them last year for press and promotional purposes so there should be plenty of good nearly-new or dealer demo stock knocking around. It's a classy looking thing, comfy to drive and utterly massive on the inside. Other good options are the Ford C-Max (great to drive but the boot is slightly on the small side) and the Toyota Verso (a touch unexciting but with terrific quality and lots of space). Or, of you want something with a warranty to match the Mitsubishi's, track down a nice 2013 Kia Carens - a classy looking car with bundles of space.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi Ash,

It very much depends on your price bracket and what your requirements are in terms of size. If you want something small, cheap and fun to drive, why not try either a Nissan Juke or MINI Countryman? Need something with a bit more space and practicality? Nissan Qashqai then, or better yet, a Skoda Yeti. Want to get something with a lot more size and some proper 4x4 ability? Go for a Honda CR-V, a Hyundai Santa Fe (you can get those with seven seats by the way) or, a Nissan again, this time the under-appreciated X-Trail. Want something seriously big and impressive? Well, a Range Rover Sport is always a good buy but be sure to put aside plenty to cover the running costs. A Toyota Land Cruiser is rather less exciting to drive or to look at but its reliability is little short of legendary. Or, if you want something really cheap and old that can pack some abuse and come back for more, try either a Suzuki Grand Vitara (smallish) or a Mitsubishi Pajero (big). Both are reliable, both can off-road properly and both can be tracked down at bargain prices, as long as you buy according to condition, not age or mileage.

Come back to us if you need more help

Expert answer

Hi Fiona,

Though Mitsubishi has in the past used a Volkswagen Group TDI engine, this 1.8-litre unit is its own in-house creation.

Expert answer

Hi Noel,

All things being equal, it'll be the Merc that'll do better. I'm comparing the 2011 model years for both as I'm assuming you mean the previous generation of Mercedes-Benz ML-Class. 

According to the official figures, the ML 280 CDI automatic gets 30.1mpg on the combined cycle, while the Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 DID automatic returns 26.6mpg. 

Hardly surprising really: the Mitsubishi has a five-speed gearbox compared to the Merc's six-speed unit, plus it's lugging around a heavier body and seven seats (the Merc's a strict five-seater).

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Konrad,

The Pajero Pinin wasn't one of Mitsubishi's more reliable efforts, sad to say. Even on relatively recent models, rust can be an issue and if it's been used as a tow car, then wheel bearings and gearboxes can suffer premature wear and tear. It's also surprisingly crude compared to some rivals, with lots of road noise and a bouncy ride. That said, it's a more sophisticated choice than a Suzuki Jimny. The Jimny is reliable and terrific off-road, but it's just too crude and noisy on tarmac to consider as an everyday car - unlike the Pinin.

Expert answer

Hi Susan,

Wow, you're a glutton for punishment aren't you? You pretty much couldn't have picked two less reliable cars. The Discovery is best avoided. If you could afford to trade up to a third-generation model I'd say that's worth a go, as Land Rover was starting to get on top of its quality issues by then, but the old Series II is just bad news. Gearboxes go, electrics go and even the suspension can fail. I know what you mean about falling in love - it's happened to me too with old Land Rovers, but you're looking at a very high-maintenance partner there.

The Espace is a little better, but not by much. The diesel engines are very fragile - check for smoke, check for oil levels and if there are any signs of overheating, run don't walk away. Check anything with an electrical wire coming out the back of it too as it can all go wrong, although the electronic parking brake and electric windows are especially prone to wrongness. Also, keep an eye on the tyres. Espaces go through them like butter and 20,000km is about as much as you'll get out of a set.

If you really want a seven-seater that works properly, can I suggest either a Mitsubishi Pajero or Toyota Land Cruiser? Not as cool as the Discovery, but they won't let you down.

Expert answer

Hi Helen,

The automatic version of the all-wheel drive Outlander has higher emissions than the manual one so it costs more to tax - €390 versus €280 per year.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Helen,

While there is no direct replacement for the Grandis, the Mitsubishi Outlander comes as a seven seater, with the choice of manual or automatic gearboxes. It's also got selectable four-wheel drive. From a pricing perspective, the Outlander seven-seat manual is in the same price bracket as the old Grandis.

Here's our recent road test of the Outlander for your information

Expert answer

Hi Roy,

Have you considered the new Peugeot 5008? It’s basically a bigger version of the 3008, comes with seven seats as standard and prices start from €28k. Get one with the brilliant little 1.2 turbo petrol engine and you won’t go wrong. Read our review of that car here.

Expert answer

Hi Ciaran,

With a following wind, you might get €2,500 for your Mitsubishi, but that figure will drop significantly if you use it as a trade-in.

Expert answer

Hi Paddy,

Yes, it’s the 3A90 engine in both 1.0- and 1.2-litre (that’s the 3A92 one) forms and it is Mitsubishi’s own design. There is some relation to the old-shape Smart ForTwo’s three-cylinder engine, as originally it was a joint design between Smart, Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi, but these days only Mitsubishi builds and uses it. We haven’t done a full road test on this model yet, but it’s pretty middling. Cheap and cheerful, but well behind the sophistication curve compared to rivals such as the Hyundai i10 and Volkswagen up!. Here's our review of the 1.2-litre Mitsubishi Spacestar.

Expert answer

Hi Donal,

The Discovery is one of our very favourite cars, especially for the way it can carry seven full-sized adults in luxury-car comfort down the motorway. With big mileage like that though you will be rocking up the fuel bills, as a 2.7-litre V6 diesel Disco will only get about 29mpg in normal driving conditions. That said, you won't get any better from any of its rivals, so there you go.

As for reliability, Land Rover has come on in leaps and bounds in this respect recently, but there's no getting away from the fact that its vehicles tend to be more fragile than the Japanese competition. Small electrical niggles are the most likely problems but both the gearboxes and the air suspension can give problems too and those are rather more serious issues. The V6 diesel engine is pretty solid though.

It would be worth checking out both a Toyota Land Cruiser and Mitsubishi Pajero too, but while both of those would be more likely to have better reliability, neither can hold a candle to the Disco's on-road refinement and comfort.

Let us know which way you go

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

Generally Chevriolet Lacettis (and Chevrolets in general) are pretty solidly built, but they're a long, long way from being the most inspiring car around. Essentially, they're cheap, cheerless but solid transport, just as they were when they were still badged as Daewoos.

As for choosing between an Almera and a Lancer, we'd go for the Almera simply because it has a (slightly) nicer interior and is (slightly) nicer to drive.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Mairead,

Pajeros are exceptionally rugged and reliable cars, as Mitsubishis tend to be. It’s an excellent tow car, with a maximum braked towing weight of 3,500kg, but if you’re towing something that big, remember that you will need a BE category licence if the weight of the car and trailer combined is more than 3,500kg.

Expert answer

Hi Unna,

Should be fine, although just bear in mind that it’s a 15-year-old car, so that’s a lot of time for abuse, misuse, or people skipping servicing. Essentially, it’s a very solid and reliable car, but at this age it all comes down to how well it’s been cared for.

Expert answer

Hi Stephanie,

The general consensus seems to be that Pajeros of all descriptions are solidly built and rarely give any major problems, except with the flywheel, which can fail and cause more than €3,000's worth of trouble. The giveaway is when you accelerate in a high gear, the whole drivetrain with vibrate severely.

That said, consensus also seems to be that the Pajero Sport is cramped, crude and uncomfortable and that if you can stretch your way to a full-size Pajero, you'll be much more comfy and have a more refined car on the road.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi there,

Expert answer

Hi Graham,

We asked Mitsubishi Ireland about this one and this is what was said: "Invite and Intense are two model trim names that are associated with a number of our vehicles, including the Lancer. It’s unusual but not unheard of that an insurance company would not have all the trim names on their database. The names do not infer any special performance characteristics but simply a level of trim so should not impact on an insurance quote."

"DE, ES and GTS are very old model trim names going back over 12 years, which we don’t currently use. So these insurance companies must still have them on their database."

Hope you get sorted

Expert answer

Hi Hank,

Probably not great. There are so few of these on the market that it’s hard to get a solid handle on how good or bad they are. The engine was donated from an old Mitsubishi, so in basic mechanical terms it should be OK, but Jeep does not have the best reputation for solidity of build, so expect lots of small, niggling issues. If it doesn’t have a full and complete service history, that should raise some alarm bells.

Expert answer

Hi Joe,

They’re pretty reliable, the old Pajero Junior, but bear in mind that that’s now a 22-year-old car, so it’s likely to be running into all sorts of wear and tear problems. You’ll basically need to check everything, and if the car you’re looking at has no NCT, be especially wary. Fuel economy’s not great — it’s a relatively heavy, boxy body being propelled by a small, low-tech engine so expect less than 30mpg on average.

Expert answer

Hi Martina,

At that budget your main choices, sticking with diesel for fuel economy reasons, are the Hyundai ix35, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi ASX, Opel Mokka and Skoda Yeti.

We're assuming you don't need four-wheel drive (correct me if I'm wrong), as the front-wheel drive versions of each car are always the most economical.

Here's the most economical version of each:

- Hyundai ix35 1.7 diesel 2WD: 5.3 litres/100km (53.3mpg): from €26,495

- Kia Sportage 1.7 diesel 2WD: 5.3 litres/100km (53.3mpg): from €26,590

- Mitsubishi ASX 1.8 diesel: 5.7 litres/100km (49.6mpg): from €25,950

- Opel Mokka 1.7 diesel 2WD: 4.7 litres/100km (60.1mpg): from €24,695

- Skoda Yeti 1.6 TDI Greenline: 4.6 litres/100km (61.4mpg): from €25,320

We've left out smaller options as you specifically asked for mid-size.

The Skoda Yeti turns out to be the most economical of that lot and for us it would be between that and the Kia Sportage.

Best thing to do is go and test drive as many alternatives as you like the look of as it will come down to personal preference.

Let us know how you get on and come back to us if you need anything else.

Expert answer

Hi Moss,

We've scoured Carzone.ie with your budget and needs in mind. There are loads of diesel SUVs available at that price, though we've shortlisted the ones here we reckon would do the job for you:

- BMW X3 - economical, though you're looking at an older one at this price

- Honda CR-V - great option if you can find a good one

- Hyundai Tucson - plenty around, though not as 'nice' as premium models

- Mitsubishi Outlander - with Volkswagen's 2.0 TDI engine - good bet

- Nissan Qashqai - great all-rounder, though possibly not quite SUV-like for your tastes

- Peugeot 4008 - stylish, good diesel engine, should be able to afford post-2008 car

- Toyota RAV4 - safe bet, though will be pre-2008 on your budget

If you'd like us to help narrow down your search feel free to come back to us.

Expert answer

Hi Derek,

First up, don't read anything into the Irish Army changing vehicles. That goes through a rigorous tendering process and no doubt price is a big part of it.

You're right though, the Patrol is known to have head gasket and gearbox issues from 60,000 miles on. Check the service history on the model you're looking at. If neither have been done then be wary.

Best bet is to have a full mechanical inspection done by an expert.

Best of luck

Expert answer

Hi Aidan,

Without knowing your budget and what your needs with regards to towing etc. are it's difficult to give a precise answer, but as a starting point, and in alphabetical order:

None of Audi's Q models are really suited to heavy off-road work, though the Q5 and Q7 are fine towing machines. Not that you'll find a Q7 with a manual gearbox.

Same story with BMW's X models. Fine for towing. You'll have to seek out an older X5 if you want a manual transmission though.

Citroen C-Crosser, Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V, Hyundai ix35: fine road cars.

Hyundai Santa Fe: depending on age and spec can be quite good off-road and as a tow car.

Hyundai Terracan: horrible beast of a thing, but it is big...

Hyundai Tucson: more car-like than most 4x4s.

Isuzu Trooper: hard as nails, durable workhorse.

Jeep Cherokee: good workhorse, but raucous on the road.

Jeep Compass: really not that great on the road despite its 'crossover' image.

Jeep Grand Cherokee: surprisingly good depending on age.

Jeep Patriot: a Compass with more upright bodywork...

Jeep Wrangler: tough, great off-road, but not so good on it.

Kia Sorento: first generation a tough tow car; latest more road-biased.

Kia Sportage: fine road car - especially the latest one.

Land Rover Defender: same comments as Jeep Wrangler above.

Land Rover Discovery: one of the very best all-rounders - newer versions way better.

Land Rover Freelander: good mix of on-road behaviour with all-road ability, but others at price better.

Range Rover line-up: luxurious regular model not bad off-road, Sport great to drive on-road and Evoque not really a 4x4 despite the badge.

Mazda CX-5: new SUV in the crossover mould - lovely on the road, where it should stay.

Mercedes-Benz M-Class: see BMW X5 comments.

Mitsubishi ASX/Outlander: very much road cars.

Mitsubishi L200/Pajero/Shogun: durable, strong, tough, but also rough and unrefined - proper 4x4 system though.

Nissan Navara/Pathfinder: see L200 etc. above...

Nissan Qashqai: a road car, even in 4x4 guise.

Nissan Terrano: old-school 4x4.

Nissan X-Trail: pretty good mix of attributes.

Opel Antara: road car - and not a good one.

Peugeot 4007, Renault Koleos, Skoda Yeti: just road cars.

SsangYong Actyon/Kyron/Rexton: rough and ready tow machines.

Subaru Forester: more a road car, though later one pretty good.

Subaru Outback/XV: road cars - nice ones.

Suzuki Grand Vitara: not bad as an all-rounder - relatively cheap and cheerful.

Suzuki SX4: car with 4x4 mechanicals.

Toyota Hilux/Land Cruiser: enviable reputation for toughness and reliability, though not very civilised.

Toyota RAV4: good road car, ok tow car.

Volkswagen Amarok: good all-rounder, though just a pick-up.

Volkswagen Tiguan: lovely road car, but most models so-so off-road.

Volkswagen Touareg: high quality car that's a good all-rounder.

Volvo XC60/XC90: good road cars - not for off-road.

So come back to us with more details and we'll talk you through a purchase.

Expert answer

Hi Michelle,

Really sorry not to be of more help on this one, but there's no sure-fire way to work this out. Best bet is to try to call a few of the larger car dismantlers/scrap yards to try to get an answer, though most won't give you a price unless they inspect the car.

Best of luck

Expert answer

Hi Rory,

I'm sure you're aware that your budget will get you any number of relatively new regular cars such as the Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus, along with bigger models like the Ford Mondeo and Toyota Avensis.

However, given your current choice of car I'd suspect that you'd like to retain the elevated driving position and your mileage dictates a diesel engine. Most cars can take a tow bar and you don't have heavy towing needs so that's not a major consideration. Likewise, all SUVs etc. will have room for your golf clubs.

So the logical choices based on all that include:

BMW X3: Good diesel engine, spacious, but your budget may only get you an older example.

Citroen C-Crosser: Great 2.2-litre diesel engine; rest of car built on Mitsubishi mechanicals.

Honda CR-V: Bomb-proof reliability, but again may have to settle for older example.

Hyundai Santa Fe: Big and comfortable, though running costs higher than smaller SUV.

Mitsubishi Outlander: Spacious, well made, ok diesel, if loud.

Nissan X-Trail: Strangely forgotten, but plenty around at this price.

Peugeot 4007: Shares its engine and underpinnings with the Citroen above.

Suzuki Grand Vitara: Very reliable.

Toyota RAV4: Another with impressive reliability. Possibly the choice of the lot at this price.

There are loads of older, bigger SUVs for sale at that price too, but they'll cost you more to run for no real benefit.

If you're willing to change body styles completely it's worth checking out something like a BMW 120d Coupé or a diesel 3 Series Coupé. There are also plenty of great estates on the market for that budget, including the Audi A4 Avant and BMW 3 Series Touring. I know you don't need that space for a family, but it's useful for a lot of other things.

Come back to us with more information and we'll help to narrow your search further.

Expert answer

Hi Oliver,

You can't go too far wrong with a Toyota Land Cruiser. Your budget should get you a 2006 version with four-wheel drive and there are plenty around. Mitsubishi Pajero also worth a look.

If you'd consider pick-ups there's the Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara, Toyota Hilux.

Come back to us with a shortlist if you want us to help you decide further.

Expert answer

Hi Ciaran,

You would probably get offered about €3,000 against another car as a trade-in. If you intend to sell it privately you should ask around €3,750 to take less if pushed. 

Expert answer

Hi Ciaran

I couldn't look past a Mazda MX-5 for that money, but since I'm no expert on the Jap import stuff, I though I would ask Paul Healy @bespoke32 who does know a bit. He said "The main problem associated with the Toyota Levin and its twin brother the Trueno is related to the Superstrut suspension. This is a complicated set-up that mimics a dual wishbone system  giving the car better handling. Unfortunately it is also expensive to repair if it goes wrong. Some owners replace the whole system with a conventional suspension when the Superstrut fails while others have splashed out on the right parts to keep it in place. Look for the second kind of owner and ask questions about the Superstrut.

The Levin was launched to take on the Honda Civic Type R and SiR but even the range topping BZR model is noticeably slower. The quoted figures of 160bhp+ only apply to cars run on higher octane Japanese fuel and the Levin seems to come of worse than its competitors when run on Irish juice.

The aforementioned Honda’s post closer to their factory figures as too does the Nissan Pulsar VZR and the Mitsubishi Mirage Mivec. If insurance allows the Honda Integra Type R or SiR would be our pick.

Unless you are specifically looking for a modified/tuned car aim for one that is as untinkered as possible. There are just too many problems that could arise from somebody else’s bad work."

Expert answer

Hi Cormac,

We drove the new Lancer recently here and as we pointed out, the performance is better than nearly all of its rivals at the same price. It drives really well, and will be reliable, but we felt that the interior felt a little bit dated. The Octavia is, as you will have figured out from your roadtest, very good too. I can't see where there would be a massive difference between the running costs, aside from the fact that the Lancer might have €156 road tax per year compared to the €104 in the Octavia.

Mitsubishi Lancer Diesel

They would have reasonably similar residual values and have similar warranties too. So, Cormac, I have to sound flippant, but I would really say that if I were you I would pick whichever car feels right for you. If you do mega mileage I might go for the Octavia, but the Lancer is so well-equipped for the money and the engine is really good.

Skoda Octavia

The only thing I would say is that time is running out on the scrappage scheme, so you would need to sort out your new car soon and there is a bit of a shortage on Octavias, so you need to act soon!

Expert answer

Hi Tom,

Is this a new or used car you would be buying? A new Toyota Yaris comes with the MultiMode transmission and a 1.3-litre VVTi petrol engine, which will cost you €18,285.

A Mitsubishi Colt automatic with a 1.3-litre engine will cost you €15,450 and that is quite a bit less. 

A Ford Fiesta 1.4 Style Auto would come in at €18,735 and this would be a really nice car. 

The best bet for us would be a Hyundai i20 1.4 Deluxe Auto, which comes in at €16,995 and that is a super little car. If it is a straight choice between the Yaris and Colt I think I'd save the €2,835 and have the Colt. 

Come back to us if you're buying second-hand, as the story may be a different one.

Expert answer

Hi Gerard,

That is a bit of a hard one. To be honest I would probably be looking in the direction of a pick-up truck and a Mitsubishi L200 would be the one I would go for with your budget. You would have to add a cover or find one with one, but something like this could really work.

Or if you needed a van, then this Renault Master could be ideal. It is within your budget and has lots of seats!

Expert answer

Hello Eamonn,

I am a little unsure of what you mean. Do you want a seven-seat car that has four-wheel drive but one that isn't an SUV?

There aren't all that many four-wheel drive seven-seaters around. Obviously the BMW X5, which you mentioned, the Volvo XC90, the Land Rover Discovery, the Hyundai Santa Fe, Audi Q7, Mitsubishi Outlander, Kia Sorento, Chevrolet Captiva, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota LandCruiser. 

A four-wheel drive seven-seat car is something that is harder to come by. The Mercedes-Benz R-Class seats seven and can be had with four-wheel drive.

Let us know if that's the sort of thing you're looking for.

Expert answer

Hi Sarah,

First of all you need to be aware that the cash-for-car places are usually going to give you a deal that is at the lower end of the scale so it can sting a little. I think your best bet is likely to try and trade-in your Colt for something bigger. I can imagine that the three-door Colt is a bit of a nightmare with one child, and two will be even worse. 

Depending on the condition of your car - we are guessing it might look like this, then you may get offered around €4,500 as a trade-in against another car. Obviously you need something a little more spacious. I think the right car for you would be a Ford C-Max because it is spacious, safe and comfortable. We found one from a SIMI dealer in Westmeath that has 67,000 miles on the clock, is petrol-powered, but won't be too expensive to run if you aren't doing a lot of mileage. This car would be ideal for your needs and €4,900 is the the asking price. You can find the advert here.

I think this would be in ideal car because the Spacestar is getting on and isn't all that good and the early Mercedes -Benz A-Class has been notoriously troublesome.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Marie,

We had a chat on the phone to get more information and now know that you would prefer to sell the L200 privately and use the cash to buy your next vehicle, so your budget is about €10,000 - €12,000.

The difficulty in getting something with height is that the SUVs going back a few years tended to be diesel with fairly large engines, so before 2008 these engines were in some cases cheaper to tax than they are now. Emissions were higher, but you were charged - as you are probably aware - for the size of your engine. I'm sure you don't want to get landed with a high road tax bill per year, but we will explore some options. 

The first is a 2004 Toyota RAV4. There is a model in a dealership in Louth, which I realise is quite far from you, but this diesel model is a beaut and is at a SIMI dealer so this brings with its some safeguards. This RAV4 is under €10,000 and has low mileage, though is going to cost €823 to tax each year. 

The Kia Sportage fiesel would be a great little buy for you. This small SUV has proven to be very reliable and very well liked by owners. This one in Cork is a little over your budget, but as a cash buyer I would think you could bargain down the asking price of €13,900. 

A car that you might not have thought of, but I have always rated as a good little car, is the Fiat Sedici. This small SUV has four-wheel drive, a diesel engine and is cheap to buy and run. We found a 2009 model in Laois with just 23,000 miles on the clock and the asking price is just €11,750. This would be a nice little runabout and it still retains some of the height of the SUV. This will cost you €447 per year to tax. 

Another good choice, although the annual tax will be the same as the RAV4's, is the Nissan X-Trail. This is a really nice example from 2005 that has a 2.2-litre diesel engine and would be a nice vehicle to own. Again, if you couldn't cope with the high annual road tax then it might not be the best option for you. 

I'd be inclined, if it were me, to buy that RAV4, as it would be a nice vehicle to own. 

I hope this helps!

Expert answer

Hi Damien,

Mitsubishi Ireland has confirmed that the new-look Outlander will be here in November in two- and four-wheel drive formats.

Hyundai confims that a revised Santa Fe will arrive in October boasting a new 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that drops the car from Band E to Band D emissions yet keeps the same power level.

Hope that information is of help

Expert answer

Hi Emer

As you know Toyota don't offer the Rav4 with seven seats in Ireland (but they do in the USA) so that is off the list.

We have spoken since and I now know you have a 2005 Toyota Rav4, petrol with 40,000 km on the clock, which is very low mileage. I would hope you would get about €6,500 - €7,000 for your Rav (perhaps even a bit more) as a trade-in against a new model and with the €15,000 on top of that to play with you have quite a few options.

The most obvious option for me, is the Nissan Qashqai+2. The Qashqai has been immensely popular and the +2 model adds extra seats to make it a seven seater. That only came on the market in 2009, so it might just not make your budget, but then again this depends on what you are offered for your Rav4. The cheapest of these is likely to cost around €25,000, so this might not be an option.

Never fear though, there are other good options. The Chevrolet Captiva was a lesser-known SUV that sold in small numbers but really was quite good and crucially, for you, came with seven seats. You should expect to pay about €17,000 for a 2007 one and you might even sneak into a 2008 for about €23,000.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Chevrolet/Captiva/LT-VCDI-/201019198001210/advert?channel=CARS

Another good option would be the Mitsubishi Outlander. You could have a 7-seater one of those, with a 2.0-litre 140hp diesel engine and a 2007 one would cost you about €19,000, and a 2008 one would cost about €23,000.

This could be quite a nice solution actually

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mitsubishi/Outlander/2.0-DI-D/201013197400203/advert?channel=CARS

The other thing you could do, is totally lord it up and get a Land Rover Discovery which has one of the most generous rear row of seats around. This 2006 model is under €20,000. Yes it will cost you an arm and a leg to run and service, but at least we are giving you your options.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Land-Rover/Discovery/3-TDV6-S/201015197653184/advert?channel=CARS

I do hate to use the 'S' word, but if you did think of something more sensible, then you couldn't really pass the Ford S-Max. Of the MPVs of that type, this is the best of them and it looks good too. Here is a 2007 diesel with low mileage for €19,300, leaving you plenty of change.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/S-Max/1.8TDCI-/200928194542104/advert?channel=CARS

Anyway, I hope some of this helps, but feel free to come back to us with your thoughts.

Expert answer

The crew cab did enjoy a golden period in the early part of the last decade when there was a considerable tax break, with minimum VRT being charged on them. As a result, sales boomed for a period until this loophole was closed. Sales of the crew cab models aren't as strong as they used to be, especially since the building trade has been so badly affected by the economic downturn.

However, for someone like you they might still make an awful lot of sense because they offer the best of both worlds. They are useful as work vehicles with generous load bays and strong diesel engines that are capable both of high mileage and also towing duties. As everyday passenger vehicles they aren't as comfortable as a regular car and in some cases they aren't even as comfortable as a normal SUV, as most have a pretty basic chassis.

The main choices are between the Mitsubishi L200, the Toyota Hilux and the Nissan Navara. The L200 Double Cab €26,995 new - that includes a significant price reduction recently. It has a 2.5-litre diesel engine that puts out 136bhp. CO₂ emissions of 228g/km mean that it will cost you €2,050 per annum to tax, which is pretty high.

The Navara has a 2.5-litre diesel engine with 171bhp and that is quite a bit more power than the Mitsubishi and it too has emissions of Band G, at 264g/km. Prices start at €34,135 for the Navara Double Cab.

The Hilux comes with a choice of 2.5- or 3.0-litre diesel engines, with 120- and 170bhp respectively. The Hilux has emissions that are in Band E, so you at least save yourself €1,000 in road tax. Prices start at €29,575 for the 2.5-litre Double Cab model.

Having said all that, the best options are likely to be used where there are huge savings.

A 2007 Navara will cost you €16,500 from an approved SIMI dealer: http://bit.ly/d0uIC8 for example

Or a 2007 Toyota Hilux will cost you €19,000: http://bit.ly/bLloV5

Or a 2006 Mitsubishi L200 will cost you €14,950: http://bit.ly/97foEZ