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Hi John,

Basically it's what you do when you can't find an already-calculated Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) for your car. You look instead at similar models in the UK market, calculate an average and then calculate the difference between that and the average price for similar models in Ireland. Basically, it's a quasi-official guesstimate and Revenue has some helpful tips and hints here: http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/faqs-vrt.html

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Hi Jim,

There are a number of other potential options you could look at, but seeing as you've been a Corolla driver, I'm guessing you want something that's going to match the Toyota for reliability. So, in that case, have a look at the Honda HR-V or Skoda Yeti. Both are taller than a normal hatch but not so big as a Tucson and both are really well built and reliable.

Relevant reviews:

Hyundai Tucson review

Skoda Yeti review

Honda HR-V review

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Hi Libby,

The Caddy Life is actually a really good choice - hugely versatile and not at all bad to drive, for a car based on a van. It's also worth looking at the Citroen Berlingo (similar, but doesn't have the long wheelbase Maxi Life option) or the Renault Kangoo. If you fancy something a bit more comfy and car-like, have a look at a Ford S-Max or the SEAT Alhambra.

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Hi F D,

Sadly, not. There used to be a Volkswagen saloon smaller than the Jetta but that was the Polo saloon and it hasn't been in production for years. So why not just go for a Jetta? Really nice car, actually. Kind of underrated and not all that big. It's is just a Golf with a boot, after all...

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Hi Margaret,

I know what you mean. The Honda bug is a hard one to shift once it's bitten you. The good news is that Honda has a new car on the market, the HR-V, which is more compact than a CR-V, but still pretty spacious. It's high-riding, so good for your back, and can be had with Honda's terrific 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine. Looks nice too. Prices start from €23,995 or on a PCP deal from €255 a month and I'd say it's well worth checking out.

Read our Honda HR-V review here

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Hi Brendan,

Both decent cars. Go with the Corolla if reliability is your overriding priority (although the Skoda's hardly fragile or anything) and go with the Skoda if space and a big boot are your priorities.

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Hi Gokul,

It's not massively cheap, maybe a couple of grand below the average asking price, but with just 10,000km on it, it does look a touch suspicious. Independent dealers can be, shall we say, very variable in their quality of sales and service, but maybe ask around and see if others in the area have had any experience. 

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Hi Joe,

They're both pretty similar to be honest, although at the moment the Corolla is only available as a four-door saloon and the Pulsar as a five-door hatch.

Both are solid, reliable, unremarkable workhorses. If you're looking for excitement, sexy styling or dynamism, you've come to the wrong place - but both major on space (the Pulsar in particular has massive space in the back seats), comfort and simplicity.

The Corolla's diesel engine lags a bit behind the Nissan's in terms of performance, but other than that, they're pretty closely matched and seeing as both will probably be endlessly reliable you can safely choose according to your taste.

New, Corolla prices start at €20,995 and Pulsar prices start at €19,995.

Relevant reviews:

Nissan Pulsar review

Toyota Corolla review

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Hi John,

Your Focus is probably going to be worth about €17,000 as a trade in, maybe a little less. New Focus prices start from €20,295.

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Hi Gary,

Go for the 1.6. It has plenty of poke (270Nm of torque) and can be coaxed up to near enough 60mpg if you're careful. There are some reliability issues (water pump and turbo among them), but if it comes with a full service history and you keep it looked after (and crucially keep giving it high quality oil at service time) then it should be fine.