Expert answer

Hi Grainne,

As previously noted, you’ll need to have a current and valid primary medical cert as new certs are not being issued right now thanks to a Supreme Court decision that  has thrown the rebate scheme for disabled drivers into limbo. However, if you already have the cert, you should still be able to avail of the VRT and VAT rebates, so that should be fine (although it’s worth checking ahead of time — it’s a bit of a moving target at the moment).

I think that a Skoda Kamiq might be the right sort of car for you. Not much bigger on the outside than the Merc, but more roomy within, and with the necessary automatic gearbox and reversing camera on the options list. Get it with the sweet little 1.0-litre petrol  engine and you’re onto a winner. It’ll be well within your budget, too. 

Read our Skoda Kamiq reviews here

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

OK, we THINK (emphasis on the think, as reliable NOx emissions for older vehicles are hard to come by) that the 1990s SL 320 had NOx emissions of around 177mg/km. Now, that’s a heck of a lot of NOx and would lead to a charge of €3,025 in just the NOx levy alone. However, the Revenue website says that "If satisfactory evidence of NOx emissions cannot be provided then maximum charges will apply.” And the good news is that the maximum charge for a petrol-engined vehicle is just €600, so as long as you can show that there is no reliable figure (and we doubt that there is) then you should be fine.

OK, we THINK (emphasis on the think, as reliable NOX emissions for older vehicles are very hard to come by) that the 1990s SL 320 had NOX emissions of around 177mg/km. Now, that’s a heck of a lot of NOX and would lead to a charge of €3,025 in just thew NOX levy alone. However, the Revenue website says that "If satisfactory evidence of NOx emissions cannot be provided then maximum charges will apply.” And the good news is that the maximum charge for a petrol-engined vehicle is just €600, so as long as you can show that there is no reliable figure (and we doubt that there is) then you should be fine.

Expert answer

Hi Tim,

The 120i is due to come at the end this year, with 184hp and with the M Sport suspension should be a bit of fun to drive. However, I don’t think it will be as engaging as the 128ti. Not only will the 128ti still have a power advantage, I suspect there will be a noticeable difference in ride quality to what the 120i might offer. The 128ti has compliance in the suspension and involving steering that makes to a real joy to drive. More details for the car are due in the coming days, so take a closer look then and see if it helps make up your mind. 

Expert answer

Hi Michelle,

At that kind of mileage, at motorway speeds, most people will find a diesel car more economical. Just make sure you go for as new a model as possible within budget so you know you're driving the cleanest and most future-proof car you can that still fits your needs.

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

The T5 hybrid version of the Volvo XC40 (read our review of it here) is front-wheel drive only, as you said, while the XC60 T8 hybrid (here's our review of that) has an electric motor on the rear axle, giving the car all-wheel drive at times. 

As to your second question, lane-keeping aid/assist technology is quite different to what Volvo calls Pilot Assist. The former can warn a driver if they're wandering out of lane and assist with a small steering correction if needs be, while Pilot Assist is an advanced for of active cruise control that also helps with steering inputs.

Expert answer

Hi John,

As far as we know, there is no fuel station in Ireland selling 98 octane fuel. Circle K has a 97 octane fuel. If you really want to up the octane rating then you'll have to add aftermarket octane boosters each and every time you fill the tank, I'm afraid.

Expert answer

Hi Ian,

If the specific model isn’t shown, then you can make a rough back-of-a-napkin calculation based on the CO₂ emissions and the prices that such a car would sell for In Ireland. The 508 1.6 turbo GT-Line’s emissions of 125g/km put it into Band B1 for VRT, which means 18 per cent of the Irish market price. That price is a little difficult to calculate as most 508s sold here in 2019 were diesel, but values seem to run between €25,000 to €30,000 — so, splitting the difference, 18 per cent of €27,500 is €4,950. The NOx levy on top of that will only be €135. 

Obviously all of this is an approximation only.

Expert answer

Hi Nittin,

With such low mileage, it's sensible to stay away from diesel power for sure. The 1.6-litre petrol engine works pretty well, though be aware that the front-wheel-drive X-Trail can struggle for traction in wet conditions. 

Read our review of the 1.6-litre petrol Nissan X-Trail here

Expert answer

Hi Dean,

Not specifically. Pre-2008 motor tax is calculated on engine capacity, so there’s no direct distinction between petrol or diesel engines. 

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

Yup, such are the vagaries of the CO₂-based tax system that we switched to in 2008. The idea was to reward those choosing vehicles with lower emissions, and that is often most starkly shown up when you start looking at older cars with larger engines versus newer models, which probably have much more power, but have smaller, more efficient engines. Of course there’s an argument that says that keeping an old car going, rather than buying a new one, is actually overall better for the environment, but that’s not going to wash with the tax authorities I’m afraid.