Expert answer

Hi Viji,

As we don't know your budget we'll be general in our advice. Most learners are comfortable in a small car with light controls. It's also good for it to be reliable and ideally safe. Think along the lines of the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Micra, Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo. If you're buying new we'd urge you take a look at the SEAT Mii/Skoda Citigo/Volkswagen up! triplets or even the excellent new Fiat Panda.

Come back to us with more details and we'll talk you through the purchase if you wish.

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

It looks like nobody working with CompleteCar has driven this combination. The CVT is only offered with a 1.6-litre petrol engine in Ireland and our experience of any CVT gearbox with any petrol engine is not good. It is smooth, as there are no gear changes as such, but engine revs don't often correspond to forward motion, so it often feels that the engine is revving unnecessarily. CVT works well enough with diesel, but not with petrol engines.

Saying all that, you really should try it for yourself before discounting it completely.

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.

Expert answer

Hi Niamh,

That's a nice problem to have. Thanks for sending the details of the cars to us via email.

In my opinion, the BMW is the better driver's car and more practical. However, the Mercedes is faster and much sportier looking. It also looks to be better equipped. Both are quite reliable in general, especially with low mileages, so I wouldn't worry about that unduly.

Maybe get a Cartell.ie car history check to verify the mileage and that there is no outstanding finance when you decide which you prefer.

It's imperative that you drive both cars yourself for as long as the seller allows you, as, no matter what we say, your preference is all that matter.

Now, onto money. A figure of €4,500 seems a little steep as a cost to change given the asking price of those cars and the estimated value of your own. I'd be tempted to offer €2,000 and see what they say. Don't be afraid to walk away, as there will be plenty of other cars like this. Also consider selling your car privately for a better price - if more hassle...

Come back to us if you need anything else.

Expert answer

Hi Noel,

There's a lot of choice out there within those restrictions and you've not given us your budget, so we'll give you a list of the cars we think are worth looking at to start with and you can come back to us if you'd like help narrowing the search:

1. Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi
2. Hyundai i30 1.6 diesel
3. Kia cee'd 1.6 diesel
4. Mazda3 1.6 diesel
5. Nissan Note 1.5 diesel
6. Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel
7. Peugeot 207 1.4 HDi
8. Peugeot 308 1.6 HDi
9. Toyota Auris 1.4 D4-D

The Volkswagen Polo and Golf and the Skoda Octavia are other considerations, though the 1.6 TDI engine was not introduced until 2010.

Let us know what you think

Expert answer

Hi John,

Your best bet is probably to talk to a scrap yard or car dismantlers. They won't charge you much so long as they have the car there.

If you need help finding one in your area, come back to us.

Expert answer

Hi Jenny,

I'm a family man myself so I know well your needs! Before saying anything more though I assume you've looked at the pricing of the BMW and Merc and that's not a consideration? The X3 starts at about €47,000, while the M-Class costs from €71,000.

If price is not a problem then the answer has to be the Merc. It's a bigger, more luxurious car with more equipment. There's nothing at all wrong with the X3 (I'd consider owning one myself), but the Merc is in a different league - as it should be for that price difference.

Come back to me if we can help further.

Expert answer

Hi Hagen,

There's a lot of choice on the market for that price. Here's a few cars we'd consider good buys for the purpose you've described:

Citroen C3, Fiat Panda, Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Honda Jazz, Mazda3, Nissan Almera, Nissan Micra, Opel Astra, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 207, SEAT Ibiza, SEAT Cordoba, SEAT Leon, Skoda Fabia, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Polo.

I appreciate that's a long list, but we've left out plenty too! If you'd like more in depth help with choosing from the above come back to us.

Expert answer

Hi Ciaran,

You can't go too far wrong with a good Nissan Micra or Volkswagen Polo, even at that price. They are reasonable to insure, pretty reliable and the Micra in particular is great on fuel. We'd stay away from the Daewoo Lanos and though the Fiat Cinquecento is bursting with character they can be troublesome. Others to consider are the Suzuki Swift and Volkswagen Lupo.

Come back to us with a shortlist if you want and we can help further.

Expert answer

Hi Eamonn,

Come back to us with your budget, but cars to consider include the Citroen C3, Ford Fiesta, perhaps the Ford Fusion, Honda Jazz, Mazda2 (also called the Demio as an import), Nissan Micra (called the March as an import), Opel Corsa, SEAT Ibiza, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Yaris and the Volkswagen Polo.

That's a long list, I know! It really depends on your budget. Our pick of all that lot would be the Honda Jazz given your requirement for a big boot that's easy to access.

Hope that helps.