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Hi Nicola,

Probably the best bet for you is to simply cross the Toyota showroom and get yourself into a Corolla. It and the Auris are pretty much mechanically identical, but the Corolla has a much bigger boot, albeit it's not a hatchback, so perhaps not quite so versatile as the Auris. Or, if you're considering buying new (or at least nearly new), why not check out the Auris Sport Tourer estate? Nice car, big boot, reliable, can't go wrong.

Let us know which way you go in the comments below

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Hi John,

They're going at that spec and mileage for around €19k in dealerships, so knock around €1,500 to €2,000 off that and see how you get on.

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Hi Michael,

Dacia Ireland has just today confirmed that it will be in Irish showrooms by the end of November. Are you considering buying one?

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Hi Denis,

Yes, it seems to be a recurring problem on the 320i, but it may not be as serious as you think. If the source of the leak is the crank-case ventilator (CCV) then it can be a bit pricey to get fixed, and it's most definitely not a DIY job, as bits of the engine have to be removed and the whole assembly tilted to allow access.

If though, the leak is coming from the vacuum pump then it's most likely simply a failed o-ring seal on the pump, which can be relatively easily replaced. The obvious signs of a leak are a smell of burning oil in the cabin at tickover and, of course, visible oil leaks within the engine bay. A quick steam-clean of the engine will show up easily where any leaks are coming from.

Of course, if you've not comfortable tackling this sort of thing yourself make sure you bring the car to a professional.

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Hi Dympna,

Not bad at all actually. The Soul has never been a particularly big seller in Ireland but underneath it's basically the same as a Kia cee'd so shares that car's mechanical solidity and its very good 1.6 diesel engine. It's a touch unrefined at times, and the interior quality is a little short of Kia's current standard but it's otherwise spacious, good to drive and very distinctively styled. 

An all-new Soul will be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in a couple of weeks so there may be an opportunity for some run-out deals on the current model.

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Hi Cormac,

Interesting one this. To be frank, it was news to us. We don't have a standardised headlight test on CompleteCar.ie (perhaps we should), but a trawl of the Audi-based internet forums does indeed seem to show that many C5 owners do have doubts about the power of their lights, especially on dipped beam.

While we can't find any definitive evidence that the facelifted model is any better, it seems that there are two potential fixes to the problem. One is to replace the standard bulbs with better models - and we've seen German-made Flosser bulbs recommended. Philips also produces a line of higher-output bulbs that may be worth a look. The other issue may be the state of the headlamp lenses, and any problems there can potentially be fixed by a good clean. Cleaning kits are available from most good motor factors. Incidentally, beware an aftermarket upgrade to a HID or Xenon headlight set. If it doesn't conform exactly to the original equipment specification, then there are doubts over the legality of such units and it could potentially lead to an NCT failure.

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Hi Ivor,

Between €7,500 to €8,500 we'd say. Popular car too, so you shouldn't have too much trouble offloading it.

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Hi Dorothy,

OK, the official schedule for changing the timing belt is 60,000 miles so if the one you're looking at hasn't had it done, it's on serious borrowed time. Other than that, they're very reliable, one of the most solidly built cars you can buy. We've heard reports of intermittent issues with the electric sliding side doors and some problems with the infotainment system, but the main mechanical package is pretty tough. In 2010, the Carnival got upgraded to the full Kia seven-year warranty, so that just shows you the faith Kia has in it.

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Hi Brendan,

We're acutely aware of this, which is why we mentioned depreciation and other costs in our notes at the end of the article (here it is if anyone else is interested). Predicting future values of current cars is a black art that we'd rather not take part in!

Saying that, diesel cars currently hold their value a little better, but we suspect that may change in time, with the advent of more efficient petrol technology, plus, potentially, lower bills as a car gets much older. Along with all that of course is that fact that petrol cars will become very rare soon following our new car buying habits of the past four to five years.

Thanks for getting in touch.

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Hi Barbara,

Yes, it’s due to arrive in 2019 (and will probably be shown off at next year’s Geneva Motor Show in February) and will be based on the same TNGA chassis as you’ll currently find under the Toyota Prius and CH-R. It will definitely use the same new 1.5-litre petrol engine as installed in the updated Yaris, and will also get the 1.6-litre diesel bought-in from BMW and already being used in the Avensis and Verso. There is likely to be a hybrid version too, but that’s not guaranteed as yet.