Expert answer

Hi May,

In general these engines are very robust and don't use much oil. Of course if any engine isn't serviced then its reliability will suffer. The Almera's can have timing chain problems in that case. If you're getting high oil consumption then you really should bring to a mechanic to ascertain why.

Hope that helps

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 Finn,

Though the GT-R is not priced on Nissan Ireland's website, we're assured that, if an Irish buyer wants one, Nissan will be happy to help.

If you're having difficulty come back to us and we'll put you in contact with the right person.

Expert answer

Hi there,

The original Audi guarantee will be long gone, unless the previous owner had paid to have it extended, and it would have to have been serviced at an Audi main dealer to still be under cover. The fact that you’re buying it from a Nissan dealer suggests that’s not the case. Nissan does offer a ‘Gold Standard’ used car programme, which comes with a one-year or 15,000km warranty on used sales, and which will have carried out a multi-point check on the car. You’d always be advised to get your own history and finance check done, but if it’s a main Nissan dealer, they’ll likely have already done that.

Expert answer

Hi Helen,

We've not heard anything as yet. The model was given a mild update at the end of 2011 so we'd be surprised to see any talk of a full replacement until the end of 2013. No doubt there'll be more tweaks along the way, but it's still a big seller so Nissan doesn't really need to change much.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

It makes a lot of sense for the money. It does everything that the likes of an entry-level Nissan Qashqai or Skoda Yeti does but for a way lower price. For its basic price you could only afford a three- to four-year old Qashqai for instance.

However, it isn't as impressive in terms of ambience as the established makers' cars. Neither is it as polished on the road.

Nevertheless, its running costs are low, equipment levels generous and of course it comes with a new car warranty...

Read Paul's first drive here for more, but if you have any specific questions please do come back to us.

Expert answer

Hi Paul,

The only Almera engine we have timing belt data on is the 2.0-litre diesel. It should be changed every five years or 87,000 kilometres - whichever is sooner.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Alan,

We spoke to Nissan Ireland today and it was confirmed that the 1.6 dCi engine is currently only available with four-wheel drive. It does plan to sell the front-wheel drive only model, but could not give us pricing or even a launch date. We'll be told more at the end of this year.

Keep an eye on our site for news on that.

Expert answer

Hi Sinead,

Before tackling the diesel issue, the Nissan Qashqai is a fine car. It's a little bigger than the Golf and feels it because of the higher driving position and larger boot. In general it has proved to be a reliable car with only a few minor issues cropping up.

The 1.5 dCi diesel is a good choice of engine, though if you really do stick to Dublin and its environs it may be worth considering the cheaper 1.6-litre petrol instead. It's a shame Nissan doesn't currently have a smaller capacity turbocharged alternative, as that would be a great option. The diesel car will be more economical for sure.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Chaz,

We put this question to vehicle records experts Cartell.ie and here's what they came back with:

"Upon importing a new vehicle into Ireland you must pay destination VAT, which means you pay the VAT in the country that it will be first registered. The vehicle is classed as new if it is less than six months old or has travelled less than 6,000 kilometres. If you buy a new car from the UK, you will pay the 20% VAT there. Then once you import the vehicle pay your 23% Irish VAT; you then reclaim the original VAT paid back from the UK.

Then you must pay the VRT, which varies from 14- to 36% depending on the CO₂ emissions. If the vehicle is being bought through a registered SIMI dealer then they should take care of all this and the customer should just get the car for the price agreed. I would recommend that the customer gets a copy of the VRT and VAT receipts to prove that both have been paid. I would also recommend that the customer checks with SIMI to make sure that the garage is still a registered member.

You would also want to make sure that the warranty is covered throughout Europe. The dealer you bought it from will cover the warranty but another Nissan dealer may not. Also some warranties are extended by a year or two in certain countries. For example BMW has a standard two-year warranty, but BMW UK extends that to three years - but only in the UK. This may or may not be the case but worth looking at."

Hope that helps. Come back to us if you need more assistance.