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 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 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 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 Paula,

Despite appearances, the CrossPolo is less than 30mm taller than the regular Polo hatchback. We don't expect it to be significantly different to the Polo on the road.

We've not yet driven this car, though we're due to within weeks so keep an eye on the site and if anything changes we'll let you know.

Expert answer

Hi Meenesh,

It's highly likely that this points to a fairly minor issue, though it's impossible to diagnose from here. You most definitely should not buy this car until the reason for the light being on is found and the problem fixed. Most decent mechanics and garages will have diagnostic equipment to hook up to the car, which will tell them what's causing the light to come on. 

Insist that the seller does that before you commit to anything. If they do get it sorted out, make sure the engine check light still comes on when the ignition is turned on, but then goes out when the car is started, as an unscrupulous seller could just remove the bulb!

Best of luck

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.

Expert answer

Hi Yvette,

The measurements are:

• Length: 3,987mm
• Width: 1,698mm
• Height: 1,488mm
• Wheelbase: 2,469mm

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Derek,

Glad you like the site. Let's hope we can live up to your expectations! We got a little bit of extra information from you and you told us that you are trading in a 2000 Mazda 323 five-door and that your budget is around €30,000-€32,000, which is plenty to work with.

Given your criteria, and the fact that you mention the Audi A5, then I've had a look at some of those. You mention petrol models and with your low mileage then you could quite easily run a petrol car, but given the fact that you are concerned about residuals then the diesels in the A5 would make a better choice. There is a lovely 2.7-litre TDI A5 in the classifieds and this is under €30,000. It would be a smashing buy and the fact that it has quite high mileage doesn't really mattter in your case. The 2.7 TDI version would hold its value better than a 2.0T petrol. 

At the other end of things you mention the Mazda6 - an odd contrast to the Audi but still a nice car nonetheless. You are unlikely to find a petrol-powered Mazda6 because Mazda really hasn't sold any in the last few years in Ireland. Plus, it wouldn't be a good use of money because it would be hard to sell on again a few years down the line. The diesel version is so much better anyway these days and you could have a demo 2011 model for well under €30,000. It is a nice car, but to be honest we can find you something a little more interesting. 

How about a Jaguar XF 2.7 D Luxury? What a super car, for €33,000. This is a marvellous example and fully loaded with kit. Another outside bet would be a 2008 Lexus GS 450h. We found a low mileage one that would be great around town and it is super fast. 

After all that, this is the car I think would suit you best. It is petrol, a 320i, but it is a hard-top convertible and it looks awesome. I don't know if you are a BMW fan but this could be a brilliant buy for you. 

Come back to us if we've not hit the nail on the head.