Expert answer

Hi Joe,

Ask to see the V5C 'logbook' as that should show the details. If the current owner is in Northern Ireland and they've had the car there for “a reasonable amount of time” (Revenue's words) then it shouldn't matter if the car was originally registered in the North or in GB anyway.

The format of the car's registration will usually give away where it was first registered, too. Northern Irish number plates look like ABZ 1234 or JBZ 5678 (two letters followed by a Z and then four numbers), while modern GB plates are AB21 XYZ (two letters and two numbers together, then three letters).

Another useful trick is to check the UK government website for the MOT history of a car. That's the UK's equivalent of the NCT and the Check the MOT history of a vehicle website clearly shows details of where the MOT was carried out. It's useful extra information.

Expert answer

Hi Aubril,

The Focus estate in general is pretty decent, but the 1.8-litre diesel engine was not Ford's finest hour and unless it has verified low mileage and/or a detailed service history showing regular oil changes, it's best to look for an alternative. The 1.6-litre diesel is a far superior engine from Ford, for example.

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

If, as it seems from your description, the dealer registered that car new in Northern Ireland, then I can confirm that you will have no VAT or customs duty payable on importation.

Expert answer

Hi Fiachra,

From the information you provided, you should not have any VAT or customs duty payable on this car when importing it into Ireland.

Just make sure you have proof of that customs declaration document, as that's the key piece of evidence that shows Revenue that the dealer has already completed customs procedures and the car entered the EU customs territory before you bought it and brought it to Ireland.

Expert answer

Hi Teresa,

There is certainly a move that way, though don't expect all models to change all at once. It would appear that the car makers (not just Volkswagen) have listened to buyers such as you and critics such as us on this, and there will be a gradual reintroduction of some physical switchgear. Organisations such as Euro NCAP and even the EU are closely monitoring this, too, so we have high hopes for a return to less reliance on touchscreens for basic tasks in a car.

Volkswagen's recent show cars that preview forthcoming production models - such as the ID.1 and ID.2 - have buttons as well as a touchscreen.

Expert answer

Hi Claire,

For some vans the VRT is 13.3 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price, but for larger vans such as the Sprinter it should be the flat €200 rate.

As for the paperwork, ideally, you'd have the customs declaration paperwork for when the van entered Northern Ireland, but if that is not available then the vehicle registration certificate (V5C) showing previous owners and the van's MOT history should be sufficient to prove its use in the North since 2018. Get as much information and paperwork as possible from the seller.

Expert answer

Hi Angelo,

Without the full details it sounds like this is more a question for the institution you're hoping to get the loan from than us - and it depends on so many factors. A few thoughts:

- It would not be possible to obtain a UK car loan without a UK address.

- If you have a UK address, it may be possible to get a car loan from a bank or similar as they are unlikely to check where the car is actually registered. They're not likely to be bothered about that either as the car is rarely considered to be collateral in such circumstances.

- If, however, you mean car finance - PCP or hire purchase for example - then the car would have to be bought and registered in the same country as that in which the finance is taken out. If you are actually living in Ireland as well as working here, then the car would have to be reregistered here on importation, which is highly likely to be against the terms of the finance agreement.

- Finally, if you are a UK citizen that is working remotely for an Irish company, and you are looking to buy a UK car for use in the UK, then there should be no issues. Every finance institution will have its own rules on lending of course, but so long as you can show you have the means to repay the loan, it shouldn't matter which country the money is coming from.

Expert answer

Hi Domnick,

If the V5 shows the WLTP CO₂ emissions, or the WLTP rate is available for the car in question, then that is what the VRT band will be based on. If the WLTP rate is not shown or not available then Revenue will apply an 'uplifting' formula to the CO₂ emissions figure in a bid to bring it up to a WLTP-equivalent value.

We go into more detail on the actual uplift formula etc. in our Guide to Importing Cars from the UK feature if you're interested, but don't hesitate to come back to us for more help if you need it.

Expert answer

Hi Alexander,

We've looked those cars up. Both are BMW M140i with slightly different specification, but both powered by the same 3.0-litre petrol engine. 

Using Revenue's website to check the tax rates by reg does indeed show the discrepancy you've found and it suggests that the 171 car's emissions are in the 101-110g/km range, which is just impossible with that engine. We're not sure how that could have happened.

Someone somewhere put the wrong details in the system for that car. 

Expert answer

Hi Caroline,

The only 'free' colour is called Unbleached Ivory. 

Atlas White or Tomboy Khaki are €295, while it's €595 for either Buttercream Yellow or Abyss Black.

It's the black paint on our test car shown here.

Expert answer

Hi Louise,

The difficulty here is working on what OMSP (Open Market Selling Price) Revenue is likely to place on the vehicle, especially one so rare. Let’s say a maximum of €4,000, though it should be worth less than that.

Then we need the CO₂ rating, as that gives us the VRT band and percentage. Our data shows that the car would have a CO₂ value of 137g/km. However, that’s the old “NEDC” figure and the Irish government will apply an “uplifting” formula to bring it up to WLTP standards for VRT calculation. It comes out as 166g/km.

That means VRT in Band 18, or 30 per cent of the OMSP.

With an OMSP of €4,000, the VRT would be €1,200.

And don’t forget the NOx levy, which would be quite high for that car as well regardless of the OMSP.

Expert answer

Hi Anita,

We can't tell from your registration if the car had a DPF when new as in the 2006-2009 period some Audis had and some did not. It's highly likely that it did.

If you can't get someone to physically check if it has a DPF fitted then you should at least have a DPF warning light on the dashboard. When you turn the ignition key on, but not the engine, a series of warning lights illuminate in the instruments. They then go off when the engine is running if all is well. One of those would be for a DPF if it is fitted. It is usually an orange or yellow light showing a box with dots inside it, like these:

If the car has this warning light, then it has a DPF.

Expert answer

Hi Ger,

Only if the car is VAT-qualifying (usually an ex-company car or demo) and the invoice clearly shows a separate VAT amount. Most cars sold by dealers in the UK are through the VAT Margin Scheme where the dealer only pays VAT on their profit margin. That VAT cannot be reclaimed on export of the car.

Before committing to a sale, talk through this with the dealer in question.

Expert answer

Hi Ger,

If you’re sticking with automatic, then your choices are very limited. We found only the Opel Grandland and SsangYong Korando, neither of which we’d be huge fans of.

Here are the manual models we found that otherwise fit the brief:

Cupra Formentor: We really like this car as it looks great, and it drives well. You might find it a little too low down for your liking as it’s not as tall an SUV as the Qashqai, but worth a look.

Dacia Duster: Not quite as solid as the Qashqai perhaps, but it’s very comfortable and you’d get more for your money - you could get a 2024 version for example.

Ford Kuga: A comfortable and well-built option. Plenty of them about.

Hyundai Tucson: Very spacious inside and in the boot. Loads of them around as it has been the best-seller for so long. Despite that it still looks interesting outside. Good reliability. Strong reputation shown by the fact that you’d probably only afford a 2022 example with your budget.

Kia Sportage: Identical to the Tucson under the skin so it just comes down to which of the two you prefer the look of. Though the Kia has a longer warranty in terms of time if mileage is low.

Mazda CX-5: Fantastic to drive and feels like a premium car in comparison to most others here. Might cost a little more to run and they’re not very plentiful on the used market.

Peugeot 3008: A stylish replacement for the Qashqai. Solid car. Double-check you can get on with the cabin layout.

SEAT Ateca: Once one of our favourite cars of this size, though it is getting on in years now. Might not feel as modern as some cars on this list, but is still well made, comfortable and spacious.

That’s still quite a long list, admittedly, but hopefully it helps you drill things down to a shortlist. We have our own preferences, and you will, too.

Feel free to come back to us if you want further help of course.

Expert answer

Hi Paul,

We need two things to estimate the VRT (and please note that we can only provide an estimate, and you need to take all factors into account for yourself). First is the CO₂ emissions rating to determine the VRT band. That will vary from model to model, even for a single variant such as the 530d.

Our data shows that car has an NEDC CO₂ rating of around 139g/km, but Revenue will ‘uplift’ that using its formula in a bid to make it comparable to WLTP-rated cars. That means it considers it to have CO₂ emissions of about 172g/km on importation.

This means Band 19 for VRT at 35 per cent.

That’s 35 per cent of the OMSP, the Open Market Selling Price as determined by Revenue, which is not always very easy to guess at, but a quick look at Irish classifieds suggests in and around €18,000, meaning VRT of €6,300.

Don’t forget you’ll be liable for the NOx levy as well, which will be high for that car.

Expert answer

Hi Don,

Assuming this is a used vehicle, the answer depends on the van’s history.

Previously in use in Northern Ireland:

If the van has been in use in Northern Ireland for a reasonable period (three months is generally accepted as the minimum), it can be registered in the Republic of Ireland without additional Customs Duties and import VAT. Proof is required, such as a copy of the V5C document showing the last registered keeper in Northern Ireland and the date of registration to that keeper.

Not previously in use in Northern Ireland:

If the van was first registered in Great Britain and then brought into Northern Ireland after December 31, 2020, you must provide evidence that it was imported into Northern Ireland in accordance with the Windsor Framework. This includes a copy of the Customs Declaration lodged in Northern Ireland that clearly identifies the vehicle. Without such proof, the vehicle may be subject to Customs Duties and import VAT upon registration in the Republic of Ireland.

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

Yes it does have. The online specs show the key additional features as you step up each grade. 

Great choice of car, we're big fans. 

Expert answer

Hi Dean,

I'll address your questions in reverse order.

It may be possible to make savings if a dealer brings a car in for you, but we've never been through the process so couldn't say for sure. They obviously will still want to make a profit out of the sale, so I suspect most will be reticent to get involved in sourcing a specific car in the way you’re describing. If you know one personally, it’s worth having a conversation about it of course.

If you go it alone, sourcing a car from Northern Ireland should work out cheaper than from England, Scotland or Wales if the car has actually been registered there and then used by a private individual for “a reasonable period of time”. Those are Revenue’s words and it’s widely accepted that three months minimum is acceptable. The car in question should therefore be free of any VAT or customs duty on import to the south.

No matter where you import the car from, you will be liable for VRT and the NOx levy, depending on how much NOx and CO₂ the car emits according to its official numbers. I suggest you read our How Much VRT Is Paid In Ireland? feature to gain a full understanding of that.

According to our records, the BMW described should have a CO₂ rating of 119g/km, putting it into Band 10 for VRT, at a rate of 16 per cent. Just to confuse things, Revenue calculates VRT based on what it calls the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP). This is not what you actually paid for the car, but the value Revenue reckons it is worth on the Irish market. It’s difficult to predict as it’s not confirmed until you bring the car for inspection on arrival in Ireland, and extra equipment etc. can raise the price. Our guess for that BMW would be €28,000, meaning a VRT bill of €4,480.

According to our records, the BMW described should have a NOx output of 38mg/km, meaning a NOx levy of €190.

The equivalent data for the Audi shows a CO₂ rating of 135g/km, meaning Band 13 for VRT at 19.25 per cent of the OMSP. If that’s €28,000 again (and always bear in mind Revenue may say it’s higher), then the VRT bill would be €5,390.

The Audi’s NOx rating is 45mg/km, meaning a NOx levy of €275.

Finally, if you import a car from outside the “customs union” - e.g. England, Scotland or Wales - it will be subject to VAT at 23 per cent and import duty of 10 per cent. Those are calculated using the price you actually paid for the car, plus transport costs.

Hopefully that has helped you understand a little more.

I’d also recommend you read our Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland feature for more on that.

Expert answer

Hi Des,

Yes, our understanding of the rules would suggest the same, that you will be liable for 23 per cent VAT and 10 per cent import dutyon registering the car in the Republic. 

Expert answer

Hi Lisa,

Yes, three years certainly counts as a reasonable amount of time. It's always worth double-checking the facts with Revenue before committing to the purchase, though.

Expert answer

Hi Barbara,

If you don't have access to the original sales invoice, and you can't contact the dealer that originally sold the car, then a good place to look would be SIMI's (Society of the Irish Motor Industry) 'Recommended Vehicle Price Guides' - they are available for past years and show the official pricing for all the makes and models. 

Expert answer

Hi Fergal,

The answer is yes. And maybe no. And maybe… maybe. We know that Ford will replace the current Mondeo with a new model, but that it will be a crossover, possibly retaining the Mondeo name in some way, or possibly being called the Evos. We know that it will be a tall-ish crossover, rather than a full-on SUV, kind of in the mould of the Subaru Outback, but what we don’t know is whether or not this new Mondeo (or Evos) will be coming to Europe. Right now, it’s being readied for a launch in the Chinese market, as both a petrol and hybrid car.

Ford has committed to going all-electric in Europe, so it’s hard to see how such a car would fit into those plans. It’s more likely that the next-gen Kuga will effectively be the Mondeo replacement for us, with the larger Mustang Mach-E taking on the range-topping duties. 

Expert answer

Hi Patricia, 

Yes, we can 'throw some light' on the situation for you. Skoda Ireland came back to us with this statement: 

"The removable torch was removed from vehicles produced from July 2020 for all markets. There may have been stock around for a few months thereafter. It cannot be ordered as an option either."

That probably explains it.

Expert answer

Hi Jim,

When you’re importing a car into Ireland, according to Revenue, the VAT calculation is made on the ‘customs value’ of the car. This is defined as “The purchase price, plus the cost of transport and insurance, plus any customs duties payable.” It’s charged at 23 per cent, incidentally. 

However, you say you want to import “our” Mercedes? Does that mean you’re moving to Ireland and bringing your car with you? If so, you may be exempt from paying both VRT and VAT. If you have owned the car for longer than six months, and can show proof of motor tax at your previous address for at least that period, plus can document your move to Ireland, you should be able to skip both payments.

Expert answer

Hi Alex,

The good news is, you shouldn’t have to pay anything. As long as you can show proof of ownership for at least six months prior to your move, at your previous address, and can show documentation confirming your move to Ireland, you should be exempt from both VRT and VAT.

You can find more details on the Revenue website.

With regards to motor tax for your diesel, it depends when it was registered and, assuming it's post-2008, what its CO₂ emissions rating is. Read our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature for full details.

Expert answer

Hi Bryan,

OK, in general, yes you should be exempt from VRT when importing a vehicle from Australia if it’s a transfer of residence, but you will have to show proof of ’normal residence abroad’ — basically household bills and bank accounts in your name — plus the original receipts and bills of sale for the Amarok.

You may also be able to skip paying VAT, if you can prove residence outside of the EU for more than 12 months, but you will have a lot of forms to fill out — head over to this page on Revenue.ie to get started…

Expert answer

Hi Scott,

There shouldn’t be any issue. Anything out of the ordinary will always gets Revenue’s antennae twitching, but as long as you can show proof of change of address, and proof of tax and insurance for at least six months at previous UK address, you should be OK. After all, there’s nothing that says the exemption is specifically limited to one vehicle at a time...

Expert answer

Hi Helen,

OK, first off there’s nothing to be concerned about. People who are temporarily resident in Ireland are allowed to bring their cars with them, and not have to re-register or fully import them for as long as 12 months. There are no forms to fill out, you just have to be able to show proof of address, purchase, tax, and insurance when and if you’re asked. Students who are studying in Ireland can keep cars with them for the duration of their studies, even if that exceeds 12 months, so there are clearly generally lenient rules when it comes to this. Given that your daughter is (a) intending to return to the UK when it is safe to do so and (b) effectively sheltering with you because of the pandemic, I wouldn’t be too concerned about having the car taken away nor anything like it.

Really, the only issue that would arise is if your daughter wanted to sell the car here, but if she’s going to keep it, I would say you’ve not much to worry about. 

Expert answer

Hi Caroline,

Right, this is a bit of a tricky one. The good news, first off, is that there’s no issue with moving a car between England and Northern Ireland — no duties nor VAT to pay, all you have to do is inform the DVLA of the change of address.

Bringing that car south might then represent a difficulty, but it will depend on how long you wait between your registering the car in the North and bringing it south. Technically, Revenue have told us that there is no specific timeline when it comes to having a car registered in Northern Ireland and not having to pay import duty and VAT when importing that car into the Republic. However, they have also said that they will be carefully monitoring the paper trail of each car to ensure that no-one is trying to game the system. If there’s only going to be a short gap between you registering the car in the North and then importing it into the South, that could get antennae twitching at Revenue, even if you’re technically above board. 

Expert answer

Hi Margaret,

If you moved to Ireland from the UK (or any other country for that matter) and brought your car with you, then you are indeed exempt from paying VRT and import duties, as long as you can show proof of your change of address, and proof of at least six months' prior tax and insurance on the car at your previous address.

Expert answer

Hi John,

You've asked solely about VRT, so we're assuming you're importing the car from the North, not England, Wales or Scotland. If it's not from the North, you'll have to pay VAT and customs duty as well as VRT and the NOx levy.

So, the price it is listed at means effectively nothing. Revenue will come up with its own OMSP (Open Market Selling Price), which it reckons it would sell for in Ireland at the time of the registration changeover. It's not easy to estimate what that would be. We'd guess €26,000.

A quick search shows that car's WLTP CO₂ rating at 147g/km (depends on which specific version of that car you are looking at), which means a VRT rate of 21 per cent. At an OMSP of €26,000, that means VRT of €5,460. The NOx levy will be on top of that.

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

The best data we can find shows a figure of 116mg/km for the Ecomotive model or 105mg/km for the regular 1.6 TDI. This will vary depending on the version, but that's a good ballpark to work to.

Expert answer

Hi Chloe,

Well, you don’t apply for it as such — car importers and dealers offer some discounts and trade-in boosters that are called ‘scrappage’ but which are only occasionally about properly taking old cars off the road. Really, they’re more about giving those drivers with older cars, who would be more likely to buy second hand, a small leg-up on their trade-in so as to bring them to the new car side of the showroom.  Incidentally, not all brands offer ‘scrappage’ deals and not all offer them at the same time. The last time there was an official Government-backed scrappage scheme was in 2010. 

Expert answer

Hi Keith,

OK, this isn’t a normal import situation, clearly, so I would — first off — gather up every single piece of paper, receipt and email that shows how this all unfolded. Technically speaking, the regulations make no allowances for mechanical defects, and you should have booked the appointment for inspection and VRT valuation at the time in January. However, given that the defect would have materially affected the value of the car,  not to mention your consumer rights, you might be able to argue your case. Get on to Revenue straight away though. Any delay starts to look like you’re trying to pull a fast one. 

Expert answer

Hi Catherine,

Yes, it will do as long as you get the conversion done before you import the car. Camper vans pay the same 13.3 per cent of Irish market value in VRT as regular vans, which is helpful, but you will need to make sure that your Caravelle is signed off by a ’suitably qualified individual.’ In other words, if you’ve done the work yourself, you may need to get it inspected  and approved by an official authority (a vehicle assessor who can check that it conforms to DVLA standards, for example) and make sure you have that paperwork with you when processing the import. Assuming that it passes muster in this regard, you’ll also qualify for cheap road tax — just €102 per annum for a camper van, regardless of size.  

However,  you do say that you’re ‘moving back to Ireland’ from the UK and bringing the car with you. That could mean that  you’re exempt from paying any VRT, once you can show proof of ownership (tax and insurance) for at least six months, as well as proof of change of address. Have a look at the Revenue.ie page here.

Expert answer

Hi Séamus,

A CoC should (emphasis should) be easy to get. You could go back to the person you bought the van from and ask them from which Mercedes UK dealer it was originally purchased. That dealer should still have the original CoC on their files, as they were the original registrar of the vehicle when it arrived in the UK from the factory.

Alternatively, we’ve contacted Mercedes-Benz Irish importer, Motor Distributors Limited, and it says that it can get a duplicate of the CoC from Stuttgart, but that process costs €100 and would take 2-3 weeks. 

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 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 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.

Expert answer

Hi Fintan,

In theory, a herd number might be sufficient, but basically it’s down to the local motor tax office with which you’re dealing. Basically, there’s two threads here — the first is that the vehicle must be an appropriate one for commercial use, and the second is that you must show some sort of documentation that proves that you require the use of such a vehicle. We checked with the Department of Transport, and here’s the reply we received:

"Motor tax is based on both the construction and use of a vehicle.  To be taxed as a goods vehicle, a vehicle must be constructed or adapted as a goods vehicle and must be used solely for the carrying of goods in the course of trade or business.  Under Article 3 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 385 of 1992), a licensing authority (motor tax office) must be satisfied that the licence (motor tax disc) being applied for is the appropriate licence for the vehicle concerned.   It is open to the relevant motor tax office to seek whatever documentation it deems appropriate in support of an application for a particular rate of motor tax.  In the case of an application for the goods rate of motor tax, such documentation may include a certificate of commercial insurance, a Tax Clearance Certificate, evidence of registration for tax or registration for VAT (if turnover for VAT exceeds the relevant thresholds set down by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners) or, at the discretion of the licensing authority, any other appropriate documentation that would indicate that the applicant is in trade or business. It is up to the individual concerned to provide whatever evidence is required by the licensing authority in order for it to be satisfied that the applicant is entitled to claim what is in effect a concessionary rate of tax."

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

You theoretically could do, but you’d have to show to Revenue proof of at least six months' tax and insurance, in her name, for the car and proof of change of address from the UK to Ireland, again in her name.

Expert answer

Hi Joe,

If you are moving to Ireland, and bringing the car with you, and you can show proof of at least six months’ tax and insurance, as well as proof of change of address, then you’ll be exempt from paying VRT.

Expert answer

Hi Andrew,

In theory, you can register and tax a commercial vehicle without a VAT number, but it’s tricky. Generally speaking, you have to show that your business is registered for tax before you can apply for commercial rate motor tax, but there certainly have been individual cases of people explaining that they have a small business that’s not VAT-registered, but still need a van for their work, and the tax office has taken a lenient view. Your best bet is to fill in an RF111 form, use your PPS number instead of a VAT number and then explain your circumstances to your local motor tax office. And hope for the best.

Expert answer

Hi John,

A Defender with only three seats in the front and no glass panels in the back would certainly qualify as a commercial vehicle, so as long as you can show that you require it for work, and that you’re not using it for social, domestic, or pleasure use, then you should be fine.

Expert answer

Hi Janice,

It depends when you bought it. If you bought it at least six months ago, and can show that it’s been taxed and insured for that period, plus you can show proof of transfer of residence, then there’s no import duty (Vehicle Registration Tax) to pay. When it comes to paying road tax, it depends on the model. If it’s a commercial vehicle, and used as a commercial vehicle, then it will cost €333 a year to tax. If it’s a commercial vehicle but used as a private car, then it will be €1,034 per year. If it’s a passenger model Defender, then with CO₂ emissions of more than 225g/km, it’ll cost you €2,350 per year in motor tax.

Expert answer

Hi John,

Do you mean acrappage trade-in on an old off-roader? Or scrappage trade-in when buying a new off-roader? Yes, is the answer in both cases — most brands currently have some sort of scrappage offer in play, and it really doesn’t matter what vehicle you’re trading in — you’re going to get some kind of discount.

Or, did you mean can you get scrappage on a car that’s registered as being off-the-road? That’s trickier. Really, the car that you’re trading in generally has to get to the garage under its own steam, and show current tax and insurance to qualify. It’s worth having a word with the dealer you’re buying from, though, as there may be some wiggle room on that score. 

Expert answer

Hi Noel,

A Caddy van with a 2.0-litre engine is going to cost you €710 per year to tax as a private vehicle. As for taxing it as a commercial, a VAT number isn’t an absolute requirement in and of itself, but you may be asked to provide proof of trading or a letter from Revenue showing that you are registered for tax as a business. 

Expert answer

Hi David,

OK, slightly tricky territory here, and it depends on where you live — in Northern Ireland or in the rest of the UK, as there are two different procedures for replacing a lost licence, you can find more details here: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/replacing-your-driving-licence and here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-online-to-replace-a-driving-licence. The bigger problem might be your insurance when it comes to sorting out this accident. Unless you can show that you had applied for a replacement licence before the accident took place, the fact that you were driving without a current licence that could be shown to a police officer within seven days might affect how your insurer views the claim.

Expert answer

Hi Herbert,

We’ve been in touch with GoCar, which is the current leading supplier of subscriptions for instant, on-street, vehicle hire and drive, and there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is that, normally, GoCar’s insurance only covers those up to the age of 75. However, the good news is that there’s potential for discretion. GoCar might waive the age limit if you meet certain criteria, which include  that you have a valid licence; that you can provide a doctor's letter to say they are fit to drive; and that you can show that you were insured to drive within the last two years, and haven't had an accident in five years. It’s worth a try, anyway...

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

You only need to show proof of business use if you’re taxing it purely as a commercial vehicle. If you’re taxing it for private use, then all you have to do is let the local motor tax office know, and they’ll shift you to the old by-engine-capacity tax system. As for insurance, just talk to your insurer or broker and they’ll get your sorted. 

Expert answer

Hi Alan,

No. You’ll need to show proof of insurance when you tax the vehicle so if you’re taxing it privately, but insuring it as a commercial, then alarm bells might well be raised. Also, if you did have an accident and your insurance company found out that you were playing both sides of the system, you’d probably have your claim denied. 

Expert answer

Hi Ger,

It’s a tough car to value, the Amazon, not only because they’re so thin on the ground in Ireland, but also because they really, really, hold onto their value. I’d take a wild guess at a VRT charge of around €9,000 (based on a rough calculation of a €25,000 valuation), but Revenue could well take a different view. By the way, if you’re going to import one, do it before Jan 1st. The NOx emissions for a 4.2 diesel Amazon are 570mg/km, which means an extra VRT charge of €4,850...

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Hi John,

Nope, it wouldn’t. Working off the base model prices — £38,500 in the UK and €48,900 here, a quick conversion at today’s rates shows that the equivalent Euro price of a new Tesla Model 3 would be €45,069. A saving? No — although the VRT would cost you nothing at the point of import (thanks to the €5,000 rebate) you would have to pay VAT on entry, as it’s a new car, and so the price would go up by €10,350.

Expert answer

Hi Eric,

It’s tempting to answer this with a simple ‘good luck’ and leave it at that… The problem, of course, is one of sheer rarity. The Thompson Motor Company at one point claimed to have made 100 Costins before the Wexford-based firm went bankrupt in 1987, but the general consensus is that this was entirely made up. The actual production figure seems to have been around 40, maybe slightly fewer. We can currently find none for sale in Ireland or the UK at the moment, but it could be a question of simply taking your time and trying to make some contact with those in the know. I’d suggest having a chat with the guys at the Irish Veteran & Vintage Car Club and the Irish Jaguar & Daimler Club, and make sure you visit the next Terenure classic show.

Or, alternatively, make friends with cycling superstar Stephen Roche. We think he has two...

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

First up, it's worth mentioning that there is not a massive worldwide problem with timing chains. They fail in some cars some of the time, but that does not mean they are inherently less reliable than timing belts. Every car is different in that regard so we'd urge you not to choose a car based on that.

There is no 'norm' - each car maker chooses which to use for a given engine and there doesn't seem to be any trend one way or the other as far as we can seen. 

The 2.0 TDI diesel engine in the pre-facelift Superb definitely used a timing belt, but there's a new engine in the facelifted model ('2.0 TDI evo') and we've not had a lot of information on the timing system. The one photograph of the image I've found shows a plastic cover to the front of the engine, suggesting that it does still have a timing belt.

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

The short answer is that we don’t know yet — the XCeed is only going to be first shown to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, and so that means we’re a long way from Irish prices and specs just yet. However, we can make an educated guess. Kia in Ireland tends to offer a single specification for its niche models, such as the Proceed sports estate and the e-Soul electric car, so it’s possible that the XCeed will follow suit. In fact, and I must emphasise that is is a guess, I’d expect that the XCeed and the Proceed will probably be closely aligned on price and spec, with the XCeed coming in just a little cheaper than the Proceed’s €28,946. The Proceed comes, as standard, with an eight-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless smartphone charging, 17-inch alloy wheels, lane keeping assistance and auto-dip high-beam lights (among other items).

We do know that items such as connected services and a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster will be available as options, but we’ll just have to wait and see what Kia Ireland comes up with when the car is launched here.

Expert answer

Hi Brendan,

We do love a bit of car-related man-maths around the CompleteCar.ie office. Yes, in theory, you could save that €425 per week travelling cost with a Tesla Model 3, once we make a couple of assumptions, and bearing in mind that a Model 3 is not free — a basic Standard Range Plus model is quoted at €625 per month in repayments on Tesla’s Irish website. With a claimed one-charge range of 409km, your theoretical Model 3 should be able to get from Dublin to Monaghan and back in one charge, with a little left over for safety (assuming it’s around 135km door-to-door). If you can charge at home and charge in Monaghan, then each full charge will cost you around €8-10, depending on your electricity tariff and how low the battery gets before you plug it in. That should put a significant dent in your travelling costs. It would also be helpful if you could charge up at work, but that’s more for ensuring you have a full charge in case you need it — the shorter intra-Dublin commute wouldn’t put much strain on your battery.

So, that’s all good. Buying in the UK, though? Not worth it. We ran the maths on this a while back and working off the base model prices — £38,500 in the UK and €48,900 here, a quick conversion at today’s rates shows that the equivalent Euro price of a new Tesla Model 3 would be €45,069. A saving? No — although the VRT would cost you nothing at the point of import (thanks to the €5,000 rebate), you would have to pay VAT on entry, as it’s a new car, and so the price would go up by €10,350. You’re better off buying local in this instance.

Expert answer

Hi Rob,

Yes, if you have registered the car to your London address, and can show proof of continuous tax and insurance for six months prior to your move, then you’ll be able to avoid VRT when you import it here. On the Discovery Commercial, you’ll be looking at rather more than €200 VRT to import it, I’m afraid. N1 and Cat B commercial vehicles don’t pay a flat rate any more, they pay 13.3 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price, or the Irish market price as defined by Revenue. The same will go for a crew-cab, and 13.3 per cent is the lowest possible rate of VRT. 

Expert answer

Hi Tim,

It doesn't need to be done until 210,000km on the clock - regardless of time.

Expert answer

Hi Anne,

Our information shows that the recommended change interval is 140,000 kilometres (about 87,000 miles) or every 10 years, whichever comes first.

Expert answer

Hi John,

For the moment, it seems it’s status quo ante at Mercedes for 191. The nine per cent discount on prices, which as you point out was introduced some time ago, basically carries over to the new price lists. Those lists were slightly late in being published, owing to delays in getting cars through the new WLTP-based fuel economy and emissions tests, but they are available now, so dealers should at least be a little more clued up. There are no specific 191 offers available as yet, but we’ll keep an eye out for any that show up.

Expert answer

Hi Dave,

Sadly not. You will save around 50 per cent on the price per litre of LPG compared to petrol or diesel (which in and of itself might be a sufficiently compelling reason to switch), but there’s no tax advantage. A car’s motor tax rate is based on the CO₂ figure shown on its certificate of conformity document, and a post-purchase conversion doesn’t change that (even though LPG does have a slightly lower CO₂ rating than petrol or diesel). Basically, tax is calculated on the car’s official homologated figure, whereas an LPG conversion is something you do yourself afterwards. 

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

Expert answer

Hi John,

You SHOULD (emphasis ours) be OK from the VRT perspective. As long as, according to Revenue, you’ve lived at your current address for 185 days or more, and can show proof of your move to Ireland, then you won’t be charged for VRT. Fuel and insurance costs for a Macan are a different story...

Expert answer

Hi Liam,

Renault’s satnav software is usually supplied by TomTom, so theoretically an update of the navigation software should do the trick, but there could be an issue that local authorities are altering or moving speed limits and not supplying the information to the mapping companies. You could complain to TomTom directly, and see if that gets you anywhere, but one quick observation — if a 60km/h limit is displaying as 40, is there a chance the satnav is set to miles per hour, not kilometres per hour?

Expert answer

Hi Deborah,

That sounds to us like one of the safety systems, such as lane-keeping assistance, giving a momentary warning. It probably does show something on the dashboard, but only for a very short amount of time. It's very difficult to assess such a thing from afar, so it's probably best to see if you can replicate conditions that make it happen and then report back to us, or get a good mechanic along to have a look.

Expert answer

Hi Darren,

I think the first thing to do is to ‘lawyer-up’. You’re going to need some professional legal advice on this one. Basically, the law is pretty simple - once a car is in the country, you have a week to notify Revenue and make the booking at the NCT centre to have the car inspected, and 30 days to complete the process and get the new plates. Failure to do so means that Revenue can seize the car and they will only release it at their discretion, and on payment of a hefty fine. Plus there’s the issue of any unpaid motor tax.

As a purchaser, you should never buy a car that’s in Ireland, but still on its foreign plates. The law says it must be re-registered before being sold on. However, if you can show that you bought the car in good faith, and intended to follow the normal VRT procedure, then there might be a way through this for you. Clearly, the bulk of the onus is on the previous owner, but you definitely need to have a good solicitor on your side for this one.

Expert answer

Hi William,

Not quite. Actually VRT is calculated on the OMSP, or Open Market Selling Price, which is that which the Revenue Commissioners calculate the car would be worth if it were an original Irish registered model. So, yes, age and mileage do come into it, but it’s not quite as simple as that.

As for the UK residency thing, again it’s not quite that simple — yes, you can avoid VRT if you bring a car into the country that you can show has been taxed and insured for at least six months, by you, at an address in the UK, BUT you will be asked to provide proof that you’re moving from the UK to Ireland, and proof that you were living and working in the UK for at least 185 days prior to the transfer of residence. 

Expert answer

Hi Eamonn,

Later this year. The European version of the updated Mazda6 will be shown this week at the Geneva Motor Show, and it should be on sale here this summer. 

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

I agree to a certain extent with this, but not completely. Rear-wheel-drive cars with their engines up front (as with your Mercedes) really struggle with traction in icy conditions, but front-wheel-drive cars are no better when it comes to braking and turning in the same conditions so if such a law was to be brought it, it really should apply to all cars, as winter tyres provide much more grip whether you're accelerating, braking or turning.

However, despite the crazy week we've had here in Ireland with snow and ice, long term weather stats clearly show that we don't get enough cold weather in most parts of Ireland (i.e. the temperature below seven degrees C) to warrant forcing everyone to change to winter tyres. Above seven degrees C, winter tyres are not as good as all-weather/summer tyres and they wear much quicker.

The Irish motorist already feels hard done by in terms of taxation and running costs so I don't think any government would bring this in here, but to be honest, I don't think they should, either. It really should be up to the individual. And that's coming from someone that has expereinced how brilliant winter tyres can be. Other opinions area available...

Expert answer

Hi Gabriel,

We had a worth with our contact at Cartell.ie and this is what they said:

"Unit Stocking usually points to dealer finance. These types of issues can often be resolved, but as with any amount outstanding on a vehicle Cartell would advise caution until the matter is resolved. A Cartell.ie report provides a contact telephone number and account reference number for finance markers in the UK - so the customer can contact the bank directly and look to clarify the issue. If you are still having problems ring Cartell.ie customer service team on 1890 252331 or 01 5241517 and they'll be happy to talk you through the steps."

Hope that you get sorted

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

Camping vehicles, no — you can drive them as much as you like (depending on any mileage agreed with your insurer of course). Classic vehicles, usually yes — again, each policy is different and you can always negotiate, but Irish insurers tend to view classic and ‘vintage’ cars as very much show ponies, and you’re usually stuck both with a 5,000km annual limit and the need to show proof of having a ‘normal’ car insured and taxed for day-to-day use. 

Expert answer

Hi Lily,

We’ll very likely find out a good deal more about the new small Lexus crossover at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show, or failing that the Geneva show in March. Here’s what we know for now, though...

It will be called the Lexus UX, and the company has already trademarked the UX 250h badge for the hybrid version. That suggests it may use the 2.5-litre petrol engine and hybrid assistance found in the existing Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, but, as the UX will platform share with the smaller Toyota C-HR, it may be that it will get a higher performance version of that car’s 1.8-litre hybrid. Certainly, Toyota has been making noise about a higher performance version of the C-HR Hybrid so it’s likely that both models are being developed in tandem.

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

The problem is that it’s not an open and transparent system. Because there is no official guide for second hand prices in the Ireland (such as the UK’s Glass’s Guide) it means that Revenue can set a value that they see fit, both for vehicles and for extras. Sadly, and I’m sorry that this isn’t much use to you, any value we might ascribe to such extras is a pure guess, and could be completely at variance with what Revenue eventually says. It’s an unpleasant quirk of an outdated vehicle taxation system.

Expert answer

Hi Gavin,

Well the obvious answer for the first part is that there’s a 27hp difference — the 177hp 2.0-litre TDI engine has significantly more power and torque, but to be honest the 150hp version is pretty sufficient. S line and SE Tecknik are pretty similar in overall equipment levels, but the S line will have slightly lower, firmer suspension so may not be ideal for you depending on where you mostly drive. The knob below the gear stick is the MMI system, which controls the car’s setting and infotainment. If it doesn’t have that then it’s a pretty basic model, on which the original owner hasn’t spent any money on extras. 

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

It depends where on the window the crack is and how big it is. Click here to view the official NCT testing manual - go to page 26 and it clearly shows how cracks in the windscreen are assessed.

Best of luck

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

It probably won’t. Opel confirmed at the Paris Motor Show last year that there won’t be right-hand drive production of the Ampera-e and that position has not yet changed. If there’s a sudden jump in demand from the UK and Ireland for electric cars, then Opel may well reconsider, but for now, we won’t be getting it. 

Expert answer

Hi Gerry,

The new-look Skoda Octavia is now in Irish showrooms.

Expert answer

Hi Tony,

How come the Prius wasn't used for a couple of years? That's the first question you'll be asked. If it's in good condition and still works fine, and you can show a current NCT, then there's no particular reason that a dealer wouldn't take it as a trade in, but you'll need to be honest and open about the history of the car. 

Expert answer

Hi Anthony,

The thing is, it shouldn’t make a difference, but it probably will. Our advice to buyers, and it’s the sensible advice, is to basically ignore the mileage and concentrate on the paperwork. If a car comes with a thick sheaf of service book stamps and receipts showing that it has been properly cared for, then the mileage is more or less irrelevant. A well cared for car with huge miles will always be a better car than a low-miles one that’s been abused.

Unfortunately, not everyone listens to us and so, yes, high miles or kilometres can still be an issue. I think the best thing you can do is to go and have a chat with your local dealer and see what they say. If your car is impeccably kept and serviced, then they may say that mileage will only be a minor factor and you can keep the car you’ve got for a bit yet. If they say otherwise, then it may be time to swap.

Expert answer

Hi Debra,

It’s kind of difficult for us to diagnose a car over the internet unfortunately, but it sounds as if you may have a whole host of problems there. You’re quite right in that rattles are often something to do with either the timing belt or chain or the camshaft mechanism, but if you’re getting multiple fault codes on a diagnostic it could be that there’s a bigger issue that is causing lots of systems to develop issues. Have you brought it to a Volkswagen main dealer yet? That would be our recommended course of action.

Expert answer

Hi Ebere,

You’ll need two crucial documents. You’ll need the V5C form, which is the vehicle’s identity papers (it’s the red, pink and blue form with the car’s reg number, VIN number etc.) and you’ll need an invoice showing the date and location of sale and the amount paid for the car.

Other than that, you’ll need the usual proof of identity for yourself (passport or driver's licence, utility bill with your home address etc.).

I’d suggest you have a good careful read of two pages before you start out:

1 - from www.citizensinformation.ie

2 - from www.revenue.ie

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

Dealer seal isn't really worth it in my opinion because for most of the year Irish roads aren't gritted and salted. I know they are this week, but a regular trip to the car wash will do just as good a job as 'dealer seal.' Protect coating is pretty similar. You'd be better off just keeping the car in good condition and taking care of stone chips etc as and when they occur. Step back protection is like any form of payment protection insurance - it has its uses, but buy carefully and make sure you study the small print with great care. 

Expert answer

Hi David,

No, you would only have to pay VAT if the car were younger than six months old or had mileage of less than 6,000km. You will need to show that VAT has been paid when the car was originally purchased in the UK though.

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

It’s going to be a lower-slung, 'coupe' version of the X1 SUV, with a higher price tag and a coupe-like roofline in the mould of the bigger BMW X4 and X6. It’ll mostly carry over the engines and chassis from the X1, which means the entry level model could be the 150hp 2.0-litre 18d engine. We’ll have more details towards the end of September after the car is officially unveiled for the first time at the Paris Motor Show.

Expert answer

Conor,

It’ll be arriving in 2017, and we should see a full production version appear, if not at the Paris Motor Show in September, then at the Detroit show in January.

Expert answer

Hi Niall,

Because each dealer’s business is different. Most, if not all, used cars on a dealer’s forecourt will have come in as a trade-in, so the price that the dealer needs to ask (in order to cover their costs and turn a profit) will be different. The amount that they offered the previous owner for that trade-in will be based not just on the intrinsic value of the car itself, but on a number of other factors, especially how many of that make and model the dealer might already have in stock and has to sell before that one moves on. Plus, each dealer has differing overheads such as ground rent, investments in showrooms, staffing levels etc. Beyond that, some dealers offer comprehensive and proper warranties on their used stock, the cost of which has to be factored into the price of each car.

Which is not to excuse dealers from random pricing. One of the great limitations of the Irish used car market is that, unlike the UK where we have access to thinhs such as the CAP Guide and Glass’ to give solid indications for second hand trade values, in Ireland it’s a much more suck-it-and-see, sure-it’ll-be-grand approach.

Expert answer

Hi Raj,

Generally, I wouldn't think that a gearbox issue would damage an engine - it's usually the other way around, and if there were a gearbox issue, the engine management system should pick up on it and adjust things accordingly.

But... Audi gearboxes are usually pretty robust so the fact that this one has failed could be an indication that the car has been abused or not cared for properly. Fair enough, it could be a genuine 'just one of those things' failures, but it might be worth getting the car inspected by an independent engineer such as the AA to allay any fears. 

Expert answer

Hi Marc,

Dealing with insurance companies is like trying to teach a Labrador the entire works of Shakespeare – you can do it, but it’s frustrating and rarely results in the outcome you were hoping for. I think in the first instance, get a letter from your Audi dealer (and make sure it’s the garage YOU want to deal with, not one your insurer is suggesting) and get a letter from them that you can show to your insurer saying that a replacement is the best option. Then prepare to spend a LOT of time on the phone and on email reiterating this to various claim adjusters and customer service bods for probably weeks on end. Eventually, you may get somewhere, but to be honest, the path of least resistance looks pretty tempting here…

Expert answer

Hi Tony,

There's no major recurrent fault for the flywheel on a Q5 specifically (although dual-mass flywheels generally come in for a lot of reliability criticism across all brands), but there was a recall for Volkswagen Group 2.0 TDI diesel engines a while back to replace faulty flywheels, so it's worth checking to make sure that's been done. If it doesn't show up in the service history, get in touch with Audi Ireland customer services, as they should be able to find out if a specific vehicle has or has not had the work done. 

Expert answer

Hi Sandra,

Yes, very. Someone who’s not completing their NCT on time is someone who, for whatever reason, is not looking after their car properly. Avoid.

Expert answer

Hi Laura,

No, the mileage isn’t an issue in and of itself. It all depends how well the car has been cared for. If it comes with a full service history and a stack of paperwork showing how much care and attention the previous owner has lavished on it, then the mileage simply isn’t a worry. If it comes with a sparsely stamped service book and no paperwork, walk away.

Expert answer

Hi Camillus,

Ok, I think you might be about to have a MASSIVE row with Revenue over this one...

Lexus IS diesels of that age are ridiculously cheap in the UK. Your £4,000 isn't even the cheapest I've seen.

Here at home though, they're massively over-priced. I've seen some advertised at north of €16,000 and that's the sort of figure Revenue is  going to value the car at. With 168g/km of CO₂ that means 27 per cent VRT and a bill therefore of around €4,000 to €5,000. Which is just ridiculous for a car that's cost you, in cash, about the same amount. But unless you can show that the car would be worth significantly less in Ireland than other advertised IS 220ds then you're stuck with it I'm afraid.

Expert answer

Hi John,

Sorry, but you'll have to change the plates - if you're bringing a car into the UK you only have to inform HMRC of the car's arrival within 14 days and then begin the re-registering process. The maximum time you could use the car on Irish plates for would be six months. The good news is that the process is relatively painless - you will have to get an MOT test done as the NCT won't be recognised, but other than that it's just some forms to fill out. If it's an older car you won't be liable for any VAT or duty so it'll only cost a little. You can find more details here - https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/overview

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

Volkswagen has made no announcement as yet, but we are expecting a new Polo-sized SUV to appear on sale in 2017 at some stage. I really doubt there'll be a three-door or open-topped version though.

Expert answer

Hi Pauline,

You're absolutely 100 per cent dead right - diesel is not for everyone and especially not for those with overall low mileages and short commutes. And as the recent emissions scandal has shown us, diesel exhaust can be staggeringly bad for your health. 

As for finding a diesel without a DPF filter, I'm not sure you'll be able to. In order to meet the particulate emissions legislation under EuroV and EuroVI regulations you pretty much had to have one. Some people have, of course, removed the DPF to avoid maintenance issues, but then you're just spewing out a plume of highly carcinogenic soot particles as you drive...

So, I think your best bet is to go for a compact turbocharged petrol engine or, just maybe, a hybrid. The Toyota Prius would potentially be ideal for your daily drive, but could be a bit of an over-thirsty pain on that six-time-a-year longer journey. Try instead a car fitted with the Volkswagen Group's excellent 1.2-litre TSI turbo petrol engine (Golf or Skoda Octavia are the best ones), a Ford Focus with the 1.0 EcoBoost engine or maybe an Opel Astra 1.4 Turbo. Here are a few relevant reviews for you to consult:

Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost review

Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI review

Opel Astra GTC 1.4 Turbo review

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

It could well be a good idea. If you like the looks and the cabin of the Sportage, there's no questioning that it's a sensible, reliable and frugal car. Well priced too. Read our Kia Sportage review here.

Expert answer

Hi Angela,

I think a PCP plan would be entirely wrong for you, because they really only work if you're intending to come back in three years' time to trade in again. I'm guessing you don't want to do that.

Your Audi is worth about €2,000 so put that together with your €3,000 and we're looking at a budget of around €5,000. That's great because that will get you into a 2007 Honda Jazz - one of the best small cars around. It's spacious, comfortable, frugal and above all reliable. You simply can't go wrong with one.

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

A very, very good point. However, I disagree with you on your broader 'hype about electric cars' comment - the only way we're going to be able to keep motoring, to keep some sort of private, personal transport going, is with electric cars. Now, whether that's with just batteries, or whether that's with hydrogen power or something else that hasn't yet been thought of, I don't know. But the days of digging up Jurassic forests in liquid form and burning them in engines is coming to a rapid close - it's not just about CO₂ and global climate change anymore either; the Volkswagen scandal has shown that we've been slowly and insidiously poisoning ourselves with other gases from car engines too. Some 1,200 people in Ireland this year will die from respiratory illness brought on by pollution, a major multiple of those who will be killed in road accidents.

Your apartment point is well made though, and shows just what a period of transition we are currently in. A huge investment is needed to create an environment where electric vehicles can work simply and sensibly, and for all the efforts put in recently to install charging points and fast chargers, it's not nearly enough. Governments and energy companies, and the car makers too, will all have a major role to play in this, but it's just that no-one's playing enough of a role just yet.

Expert answer

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. 

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

The new DS 4 will be in Irish showrooms in time for the price announcement on December 10. We will be driving it on January 14, 2016, so keep an eye on our Car Reviews page for the first Irish drive.

Expert answer

Hi James,

The new Volvo S90 saloon, which will share its engines, chassis and, yes, that gorgeous interior, with the XC90, will go on sale in mid 2016 and will make a full public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March. There'll be a massive V90 estate too we're told.

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

That doesn't sound related to a timing belt problem. A timing belt can either break altogether (potentially causing very expensive engine damage), in which case the engine would not run at all, or it could slip causing the engine to, at best, run poorly all of the time.

Best bet is to bring your car to a good mechanic for a look but it could be as simple as a dirty air filter or bad fuel, neither of which would automatically cause a warning light to come on.

Let us know how you get on 

Expert answer

Hi Sarah,

It's a little bit high, but it's all down to the service history and the overall condition of the car. If it comes with a thick wad of receipts and a service book full of stamps that show it's been looked after properly, and if its overall condition shows that it's been cared for, then it should be good for plenty of miles yet. If it looks and feels shabby though, and if any of the services have been skimped or skipped, walk away.

Expert answer

Hi Zubair,

Nope, not at all. In fact for a car of that age that's pretty much average mileage. The trick is to make sure it's been looked after. A fully-stamped service book and a thick sheaf of receipts showing that it's been properly cared for should mean it's fine. 

Expert answer

Hi Stu,

Not necessarily. Mileage is, to be honest, more or less irrelevant. It's all down to the condition of the car and its history. If it comes with a full service book, showing every stamp and receipt, and it's clearly been looked after and cared for then it should be fine. 

Just check to make sure that all the electrics are OK and that the cabin doesn't show obvious signs of abuse. Might be worth getting someone to look at the engine too - that 1.6 diesel has a fragile water pump and is prone to 'sludging up' with deposits of old oil. Worth getting it flushed and have the oil changed.

Expert answer

Hi F D,

The Audi Q2 won't actually be called the Q2, it'll be called the Q1. Why? Because Fiat owns the rights to the Q2 badge and won't let Audi play with its ball. So the Q1 will sit beneath the existing Q3, and will be based on the same MQB chassis system that currently underpins almost everything Volkswagen, from Golf to A3 to Passat to Superb. The next Q3 will get a little bigger too, to make some space for the Q1. Expect the Q1 to skew a little more towards an estate, crossover-y body style, leaving the Q3 to be taller and blockier and more SUV-ish.

We have no official word on engines yet but as it's MQB-based expect 1.4 turbo petrol and 1.6- and 2.0-litre TDI diesel, with an SQ1 sports variant using either a tweaked diesel or 230hp petrol turbo. It'll go on sale in 2016 and we'd expect to see a full production model at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Expert answer

Hi Eidin,

Our information shows us that the only post-2007 Hyundai i30 engine with a timing belt is the 2.0-litre CRDi diesel. All others should have a chain.

Expert answer

Hi Frank,

It just so happens that we will have a first drive of the new Galaxy on the site in the next few days. Prices start at €38,760 and it'll arrive later this year in Ford showrooms.

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

There are a couple you can try, such as golfmk7.com or forums.vwvortex.com, but you need to be aware that the people on forums are not necessarily experts. Take any advice with some level of caution.

Your better bet is to sit on your dealer's head (metaphorically) to get the problem solved. It's not a case of their word against yours - don't take that kind of crap lying down. The garage's job is to sort your problem and you shouldn't pay a cent to them until the problem is fixed to your satisfaction. Quote the Sale Of Goods And Supply Of Services Act at them. They're the experts, so a shrug and a "we can't replicate the problem" isn't good enough.

If you're still having problems, tell us the name of the garage. Volkswagen Ireland guards its reputation for after-sales service fervently so it'll also be interested to hear about this. 

Expert answer

Hi Jules,

You could be on to something there alright. The 9-3 is generally a pretty reliable car, although you have to watch carefully for things like engine ECU problems (if it's slow to fire up or runs sluggish then walk away) and gearbox and clutch issues. 

As for parts - there is definitely a price difference. A quick trawl of the listings over at micksgarage.ie will show you that, for instance, a replacement front wing for the 9-3 will cost you €114 whereas the same part for a contemporary BMW 3 Series will only set you back €70.  That's not the case right across the board for all parts but there is definitely a premium charged for Saab bits.

Expert answer

Hi Elaine,

We'd suggest you up your tyre pressures all round by 2psi if you're going to be carrying that many more people, but as we don't know what type of car you have it's best to follow the manufacturer advice. There's usually a diagram showing the correct ratings either inside the fuel filler flap or on one of the front door frames - visible with the door open only.

It's not unusual for tyre fitters to recommend putting a higher pressure in your spare, but really we'd say that's too high. Stick to 40psi if it's a spare that's not easily accessible and checked often, as it will likely lose pressure over time. If, however, it's easy to get at, keep it at the right pressure and check it monthly.

Hope that all helps

Expert answer

Hi Josephine,

Our database shows that, if your car is fitted with 195/55 R15 V 85 sized tyres then the correct average pressure is 2.1 bar or 31 PSI. 

This information should be displayed on your car somewhere - either inside the fuel filler flap or on the door frame when you open the door. 

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi John,

To be honest - no. The current Micra is a long way from Nissan's best effort so I think the €4k trade in bonus could be put to much better use elsewhere. Perhaps consider trading up to a Pulsar? Or better yet, wait a year. Nissan has an all-new Micra coming out next year and judging from the Sway concept car it showed last week at the Geneva Motor Show, it could well be a cracker.

Expert answer

Hi Anish,

It's very difficult to assess issues such as this without sitting in the car, but I would say that it doesn't sound like anything to worry about, certainly not if it was a once off. Try to repeat it and if you're still worried then bring the car back to the dealer and show them what's happening.

It sounds to me like you just caught out the electronics controlling the gearbox.

Expert answer

Hi Luke,

That light means that something somewhere in the engine that affects the emissions has gone wrong. It really could be anything and may not be really noticeable to the driver. It's still worth having the car checked with a diagnostics reader at some stage, as it could be doing long-term damage. Also, it won't pass its NCT with that light on.

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

SIMI only starting receiving that information from 1995 onwards so Revenue holds the data, which might make it difficult to access. The best bet is to get a history check with Cartell.ie, as that will show if the bike has been imported.

Expert answer

Hi George,

I would tread very, very carefully indeed. The engine can be a big trouble spot with dodgy turbos and inconsistent power delivery. Watch for  excessive smoke (black or white), check the oil carefully and if it shows even the slightest sign of overheating, head for the exit.

Clutches can go pretty easily, so make sure the gearshift is working alright, and everything electrical is to be assumed broken until proven otherwise. They eat tyres too, and uneven wear is a sign of impending suspension doom. Also, a lot of Espaces tend to get used as ersatz delivery vans when they get past a certain age and price point so check carefully for signs of wear and tear in the cabin.

Basically, you should probably avoid it and track down a similar vintage Volkswagen Sharan or Hyundai Trajet instead.

Expert answer

Hi Ed,

OK, we've been on to Renault about this and they say that the charge for Glacier White on the website was an error and has since been corrected, so you shouldn't be charged for it. If an extra charge does show up on the bill, give your dealer hell as it shouldn't be there. If he/she doesn't give you any joy, get on to Renault's head office about it.

Expert answer

Hi James,

I'd say between €8,000 and €10,000 depending on the condition and history. Lower end if it's a trade in, a little higher if the service history is immaculate.

Expert answer

Hi Helen,

It depends. If the car is being delivered here on the back of a truck, then no. If you're flying over to drive it back, then technically yes. If you mean you're importing the car with a change of address and hoping to avoid paying Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT), then yes - you have to show proof of motor tax for the preceding six months, minimum.

Expert answer

Hi Rosemarie,

OK, good news - if it's coming in with a transfer of residence, and you can show that you've been the owner and user of the vehicle for at least six months prior, then it's basically free. There may still be a small fee payable for re-registering the vehicle (Revenue seems to be oddly coy about this fact), but basically once you can show it's yours and you're moving home, then you can bring it in for nothing. Just make sure you alert Revenue to the presence of the vehicle within seven days and then get the re-registering done within 30 days.

Road tax, I'm afraid though, will be payable at the top rate of €2,350 per annum, which is a nasty bill to have to foot every year. Insurance costs are likewise probably going to be hefty, as it's a vehicle most Irish insurers won't know even exists. Your best bet, in terms of running costs, may be to sell it before you leave and use the cash to get yourself something a bit more tax and insurance friendly when you get here.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi Ruairi,

You're expecting me to say 'everything' aren't you? 

Well, actually, 159s are pretty well built and when they do suffer from old-school Alfa flakiness, it tends to be more on a car-by-car basis. So the best trick is to talk to the previous owner. If the car gave them no major trouble, then it's probably a good 'un.

The critical check point is anything electric. Wiper motors are weak and the cruise control can freak out easily and take a good long test drive to make sure that the engine always delivers its power smoothly and consistently. If it doesn't then the ECU could be on the way out. 

Finally, if the front tyres are showing signs of uneven wear, then the front suspension is out of alignment and needs sorting.

Best of luck

Expert answer

Hi Mirian,

There's just nothing good about any of that. Bad enough that it happens at all, worse still that you're coming to the end of your pregnancy - as you say, you just don't need that kind of hassle.

The problem is a recurrent one on the Meriva, and seems to stem from a good old manufacturing fault. As far as I can tell it dates back to at least 2011, but in spite of repeated calls from owners and even a stinging piece on the BBC consumer show Watchdog, General Motors has failed to issue a recall for the problem.

For the moment, the best thing I can suggest is that you press your Opel dealer to give you a loan car, NOT A MERIVA, for the duration of the rest of your pregnancy, so at least you have peace of mind. Some car dealers like to try and duck the issue, but under the good old Sale Of Goods And Supply Of Services Act (otherwise known as your statutory rights) you're entitled to a repair, replacement or refund. Clearly, if the steering column has already been replaced, repairing it hasn't worked so you're looking for one of the other two.

If you feel up to tackling the dealer, then simply don't let yourself be fobbed off. Stand your ground in the dealership and don't be afraid to kick up a massive fuss. After all, can you imagine worse publicity for any business than to have a heavily pregnant woman, in tears, talking to local and national media about the issue? If they try spinning your head with tech-talk, just put your hand up and say "I don't care about the technicalities, I paid for a car that would work and I want this one to work, or a suitable replacement." Keep using that phrase and don't back down whatever you do.

In fact, let us know when you're planning to go in and perhaps one of the CompleteCar.ie team could come with you as backup. In a consumer-centric world, where recalls are in the news every day, this kind of behaviour is utterly unacceptable so don't you go accepting it.

Please do let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi John,

OK, there's a balancing act to be done here. There's no doubt that the CO₂-driven diesel stampede since 2008 has driven up the values of second hand diesel cars and driven down the values of their petrol equivalents. However, that is starting to change, and cannier buyers (helped in some part by investigations and comparisons by the CompleteCar.ie team - blowing our own trumpet etc. etc.) have shown that the overall cost of buying and running a petrol engined car can actually be lower than that of a diesel, especially for those drivers on relatively low mileage like yourself.

In that sense, I'd be well in favour of getting the petrol one, but there is a caveat to that - the A4 is very much a business market car, and therefore most of its prospective buyers, new and used, will be expecting to see a TDI badge on the boot. If you're buying on a lease or a PCP with a guaranteed future value, then that's not such an issue, but the answer is yes, you could well lose out a little on depreciation over a few years. Probably not a lot, but it's a moving target at the best of times.

Can I suggest this? Instead of an A4, have a look at the A3 Saloon. It's admittedly smaller, but it is also prettier, better to drive and good enough to win Family Car of the Year from the Association of Professional Motoring Press (APMP). It can also be had with the excellent little 150hp 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine and should be somewhat less sensitive to the diesel/petrol tug of war when it comes to second hand values.

Let us know which way you go anyway.

Expert answer

Hi David,

OK, a couple of points to deal with there. I can well remember my first drive in the Dacia Duster, which was a left-hand drive 4x4 model and I happened to drive it from Galway to Waterford and back on some of the wettest days of 2012. I can honestly not remember feeling that the wipers were inadequate to the task, and I'm generally pretty sensitive to things like that, so I'd say you might be crossing the car off your list somewhat unfairly. I can certainly remember thinking that the Duster felt unusually well-planted on the road and sure-footed in what were truly appalling conditions.

Incidentally, it's worth noting that we also take almost all of our test cars on week-long tests, and occasionally even longer ones. The full CompleteCar.ie team also endeavours to drive each car personally so that we can put together a fully rounded opinion on every model, and we always try to drive them in as many different conditions as the prevailing weather will allow.

Expert answer

Hi Marcus,

For 2006 and 2007 (and up to July 2008) the BMW 320d was taxed according to its engine size, which is 1,995cc. That is currently €710 per year (€394 for six months or €200 for three months).

If the car was registered after July 2008 then it is taxed according to its CO₂ emissions. Our data shows us that should mean emissions of 128g/km for a manual 320d or 144g/km with an automatic gearbox. The annual tax disc costs for those is €270 and €390 respectively.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Dave,

Oil is the key here. Honda's first-ever diesel engine, the 2.2 i-CDTI unit fitted to the Accord, has always been a cracker - smooth, silent and powerful, but it needs a regular dose of high-grade oil and the problem here is that there's no warning light on the dashboard to tell you that the oil level is dropping. There is a conventional oil pressure light, but if that starts flashing it may already be too late. So, check that the engine is running smoothly and not spewing out clouds of dirty smoke and then check the oil level to make sure it's not down at the bottom of the dipstick. Then get used to checking it yourself, regularly.

Hondas of course have a tremendous reputation for reliability and being beautifully built and the Accord is no exception. There is one minor wrinkle though and it involves the engine's dual-mass flywheel. We've heard plenty of horror stories about the flywheel giving trouble. Excess noise, a slipping clutch or even the car popping out of gear can all be signs that the flywheel is giving gyp. Now, we have heard from various sources that this is an issue for the Accord and the 2.2 diesel engine, but in fairness, when we raised it with Honda Ireland, they told us that it has seen no pattern of issues, and its warranty claims don't show up any persistent problems.

Probably still worth taking your time to check though.

Expert answer

Hi Lizzy,

Well, for a start, you're looking at two different segments here. The 3008 and Qashqai are much larger than the Juke, which is really quite a small car, especially on the inside. So, if you're regularly carrying large people or large loads, then I'd cross that one off your list. It's a little hard to say exactly how reliable any car is, but a good indicator is the result of the JD Power customer satisfaction survey. The most recent one, done in the UK last year, showed that Nissan was in the top ten for reliability and satisfaction while Peugeot finished in the bottom four.

Take from that what you will.

Expert answer

Hi Andrew,

We asked Volvo Ireland about this. Here's what we were told:

"The Volvo XC90 will be launched at the Paris Motor Show in early October 2014. We expect first deliveries of the car in early 2015.

We expect to have prices confirmed in time for the Paris Motor Show.

Please contact your local Volvo Dealer to be kept updated on the latest news.

www.volvocars.ie/findadealer

There is also a link on our website to keep the customer updated on any XC90 information that gets released: http://www.volvocars.com/ie/all-cars/all-new-volvo-xc90/pages/keep-me-updated.aspx "

For your information Andrew, we'll be at the global reveal of the XC90 on August 25th if we can help you answer anything else.

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

Apparently those figures aren't so easy to come by... We asked Cartell.ie, the vehicle records experts, for a little help. The most recent indication we have, based on results for the first four months of 2014, compared to the first four months of 2013, shows all non-trade sales are up 14.4%, all transactions into trade up 26.4%, all transactions out of trade up 22.9%, all import transactions up 24.5%, and trade to trade transactions are up 28.1%. The total increase all transactions for the period of 19.2%.

More information on that data can be found in this news story

Expert answer

Hi Andrew,

We asked Volvo Ireland this for you and here's the response:

"The Volvo XC90 will be launched at the Paris Motor Show in early October 2014. We expect first deliveries of the car in early 2015.

We expect to have prices confirmed in time for the Paris Motor Show.

Please contact your local Volvo Dealer to be kept updated on the latest news.

www.Volvocars.ie/findadealer

 There is also a link on our website to keep the customer updated on any XC90 information that gets released:

 http://www.volvocars.com/ie/all-cars/all-new-volvo-xc90/pages/keep-me-updated.aspx"

Hope that helps

Expert answer

FULL DISCLOSURE: Cian is known to us at CompleteCar.ie through the medium of Twitter. Friend of the show, you might say...

Hi Cian,

Given that we know you I'm half-tempted to steer you into some hilariously disastrous classic car cul-de-sac, then sit back and watch the carnage unfold. However, I know you've already been there and done that so I won't.

Instead, I'm going to go out on a major limb, put my journalistic reputation to the test and recommend an Alfa Romeo. Yup, an Alfa. Your budget should get you into a 2007 or 2008 159 1.8-litre petrol MPI version. The 159 was always a ruggedly built car and while it's still occasionally prone to the classic Alfa electrical glitches, it's also probably the most all-round reliable car ever to come out of Milan.

It's also utterly gorgeous. reasonably spacious and really very good to drive. True, the 1.9 diesel would be more economical but it doesn't sound as good as the petrol. Enjoy, and let us know if anything goes explosively pop!

Expert answer

Hi Sean, 

We asked Audi in this case and it has a timing belt. The change interval should be shown in your user manual.

Expert answer

Hi Trevor,

It would seem not. Certainly it was the case some years back when car makers often 'de-contented' (i.e: stripped out) their cars to help compensate for Ireland's staggering levels of vehicle taxation, but the situation seems to have stabilised now.

 According to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, to whom we spoke about this, the last official EU survey on pre-tax prices carried out in 2011 showed that the gap was, in some cases, still there, but was narrowing.

In a statement, the EU said that "The Commission continues to monitor the competitive situation on the new cars market, as well as the markets for spare parts and repair and maintenance, in cooperation with National Competition Authorities. The Commission is committed to safeguard competition in this sector and will not hesitate to take the necessary enforcement action if problems arise."

Basically, the changes in the tax system in Ireland since 2008 have meant that we're much more in line with the rest of Europe than was once the case.

Now ask us about the post-tax price...

Expert answer

Hi Claire,

Generally speaking the reliability record of the Fabia is pretty impressive and you shouldn't suffer any major problems. There are reports of the occasional 'nightmare' car where just everything seems to go wrong, but they appear to be few and far between. In terms of fuel economy, beware the 1.2. It's a very underpowered engine, and you have to thrash it hard to keep up with the flow of traffic, especially on the motorway, so it might be worth shopping around for a 1.4 depending on what kind of driving you'll be doing with it.

Expert answer

Hi Graham,

It depends which model you are referring to. Our records show the following:

- RAV4 2.0 VVT-i (petrol) automatic: 212g/km - Band F, €1,200 per annum

- RAV4 2.0 VVT-i (petrol) manual: 202g/km - Band F, €1,200 per annum

- RAV4 2.2 D-4D (diesel) manual: 173g/km - Band E, €750 per annum

Come back to us if it's something else and we'll look into it.

Expert answer

Hi Breda,

This really sounds like a valve timing problem to us and that may not be detected in the diagnostics computer. Bring the car to a mechanic and ask them to check the timing. This could take them an hour or so.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

The safest thing to do is get a car history check through Cartell.ie.

That should show up any inconsistencies.

Expert answer

Hi William,

Ford is swearing blind that the all-new Mondeo (which has already been on sale for two years in the US as the Ford Fusion) is finally coming to these shores in the autumn of this year. The delay is being explained by the need to move the Mondeo's production line from the Ford factory in Ghenk, Belgium (which is being closed down) to Valencia in Spain.

Many of us car critics have pondered though whether or not Ford is simply stalling to try and let the European passenger car market recover before it introduces such a significant new model. If so, job done it would seem.

The new Passat is a little further away, but should be here by mid-2015 at the latest. Prototypes of the new car are already pounding the roads and test tracks of Europe racking up mileage and it's likely that we'll get a first look at the new car (which will be based on the same MQB chassis system as the current Golf) at the Paris Motor Show this September.

In the meantime, it's worth pointing out that the current Mondeo and Passat are still cars operating at the very top of their game and with new models on the way, it's likely you could argue yourself a decent deal on one.

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

As long as the repair is carried out by an accredited main dealer, and you keep all the receipts, any effect on the value of the car should be negligible. A few photos (before and after) and perhaps a letter from the garage itemising all of the work done and parts replaced probably wouldn't do any harm either. As with any car, the more paperwork you can show a potential buyer that demonstrates you've been taking care of the car, the better.

Expert answer

Hi Tanya,

OK, prices for a 2007 Kia Sorento range from as little as €6,000 for a commercial model to as much as €15,000, which seems a bit hopeful to me. Let's play reasonably safe and suggest that you should get about €9,000 to €10,000 on trade-in. 

Now, the 5 Series. The E60 5 Series that ran from 2002 to 2010 is one of our all time favourite cars and the 535d is one of the very best. Powerful, smooth, reasonably economical and able to spin the rear wheels in third gear. Ahem.

It's worth considering other models though. The 535d is a twin-turbo version of the same 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine that you'll find, in single turbo form, in the 530d. You won't save any money in terms of tax (it's the same capacity), but the 530d will be better on fuel and cheaper to insure. If you really want to save some money, look for the ever-popular 520d, which is almost ridiculously cheap to run and far more powerful than you might expect. 

As for things to look for, the suspension is the 5's weak point so if there are any nasty clonking noises or if the car feels unstable on the road, or the steering feels inaccurate, walk away. The iDrive infotainment system has also been known to give bother so check and make sure that it is working and, as with any prestige car, make sure it has a full service history.

With a car like this, I'd never advise buying privately or from an unfranchised dealer. SIMI membership should be at least the bottom line and you'll get a better deal from a BMW main dealer than you might expect, especially if the car is part of their approved used programme. 

A 2005 530d or 535d seems to hover around a similar asking price to your Kia so you'll just have to negotiate carefully to get the best price.

Let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi William,

The new Lexus NX will be unveiled in public for the first time next month (April) at the Beijing motor show in China. It is possible that we'll get a static preview of the car ourselves in May in London before driving it in September for review. The NX goes on sale in Ireland in October.

Let us know if we can help with anything else

Expert answer

Hi Ken,

If the shudder stops when you stop accelerating then we'd suggest looking at the inner CV joint.

Let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Sinead,

A 'pre-reg' is a car registered to a dealer, as a way of artificially boosting their sales figures. Hence why most pre-regging happens at the end of a month. Deadlines and sales figures have to be met and the odd pre-reg here and there can keep everyone happy. With a first name in the logbook, the car is now, as far as the trade is concerned, second hand and its value drops accordingly - that's why you'll see them on dealer forecourts as 'nearly new' or 'ex demo.' They'll have the same delivery mileage as a brand new car, just your name won't be at the top of the logbook.

They make excellent buys, mostly because they will be heavily discounted to shift the stock on. It may be less than €1,000 in some cases but with some premium brands the difference between showroom and nearly-new can be as much as €4,000.

Expert answer

Hi John,

Not bad, but a car that's somewhat feeling its age now. Hardly surprising, as it's due for a mid-life facelift - something that was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show this week. The 1.5 dCi diesel engine is decent, but the petrol version somewhat less so and the least said about the Nismo version the better. Quality is excellent and it rides and drives well, but I'd either wait for the new one, or save up and get a more capable Qashqai.

Expert answer

Hi Jason,

A really good car, that 2002-2007 Corolla. 'Quiet' looking inside and out it may be but the strength of the engineering underneath is palpable. The sheer quality of the cabin was vastly ahead of any other contemporary rival (even the supposedly tank-like Volkswagen Golf Mk IV) and the primary engine, a 1.4 petrol VVT-i unit, out punched most rivals by about 15- to 20hp while also being more economical.

It's also surprisingly good to drive. It'll never set your shoes on fire, so to speak, but in a former life I thrashed one around Mondello Park and it showed a depth of competence in the chassis that would surprise most Corolla drivers. 

On the reliability front, there's little or nothing to worry about. The only recurring complaints seem to be rear lights that allow condensation to build up inside and annoyingly squeaky brakes.

Expert answer

Hi David,

Depends on your driving style, but 55mpg should be a gimme, 60mpg if you're a bit careful and 70mpg if you're driving with baby kittens under the accelerator pedal.

You're quite right about 1.2 engines, at least for now. They usually have to be worked too hard to drive at normal speeds to get the best economy and, for now, 1.6 seems to be a displacement sweet spot. That will change though - just check out the economy you can get (with some effort) from Volkswagen's 1.2 TSI petrol unit.

Expert answer

Hi there,

It is indeed a chain-driven engine so maintenance and reliability should be pretty good. SsangYongs tend to be reliable overall, but it's rather hard for us to get a good handle on their quality levels as there aren't that many on the road in Ireland. Experience in other countries where the brand is a stronger seller (Australia and New Zealand for instance) seems to show that they're pretty solid.

Expert answer

Hi George,

The Aston DBS is no longer in production so you'll be looking for used examples if it still interests you. Aston Martin does not have an official sales outlet in the Republic of Ireland, but Charles Hurst in Belfast does have a dedicated Aston Martin showroom. That's probably a good place to start when it comes to finding a used Aston, too.

Expert answer

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

Expert answer

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.

Expert answer

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?

Expert answer

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.

Expert answer

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.

Expert answer

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.

Expert answer

Hi Ivor,

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

Expert answer

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.

Expert answer

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.

Expert answer

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.

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

Renault Ireland tells us that we should be able to test one in July, so that's likely to coincide with the cars arriving in dealers as well. We'll be at the international launch of the car this week.

In case you missed our earlier news item here it is: Stylish new Renault SUV on the way

Expert answer

Hi Morgan,

We asked Cartell.ie to comment on this, as they're deeply involved in clocking legislation etc. Here's what they said:

"This is an interesting scenario. There are two issues here: 1 - On a legal level, in proposed legislation that Cartell drafted, seeking to criminalise vehicle clocking, we sought to accommodate this type of scenario in the drafting of the provisions. We certainly appreciate that a genuine attempt to represent fairly the mileage of the vehicle, where the original odometer of a vehicle no longer functions, should be accommodated by future legislation in this area. 2 - Practically, we feel this vehicle should be advertised with the true mileage, not the figure showing on the odometer. The seller can then clarify the issue of mileage where there is a query from a prospective purchaser. At Cartell we are happy to enter the correct mileage into the National Mileage Register for the vehicle, if the owner wishes to pass this along to us."

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi there,

We're told that the new Skoda Yeti will be here in 2014 with a revised look front and rear (and we suspect on the inside too). There are no official or otherwise shots available though.

Thanks

Expert answer

Hi William,

I'm afraid that engine is getting on now so it's not as economical as the latest generation of low capacity, turbocharged units. Our data shows the official combined consumption at 5.8 litres/100km (48.7mpg) so you're doing quite well really.

Usual tips to help improve further apply:

- remove unwanted junk from the boot

- check your tyre pressures and wheel alignment

- make sure the air filter is clean

- ensure it's well serviced

- don't use air conditioning or rear window demister unless needed

Hope that all helps in some way

Expert answer

Hi there,

A rate of €570 per annum would put the car in Band D based on its emissions, which is 155- to 170g/km. Our initial investigations suggest that this car should have emissions of just 134g/km, which would put it in Band B2 for an annual tax bill of €280, however, that's for a newer car than you're talking about. The older one has emissions of 165g/km, which would indeed mean a €570 tax bill.

Hope that helps clear it up

Expert answer

Hi Neil,

The seller will have to request a letter from the bank confirming all of the above, but I don't know if they'll provide one any quicker. Still worth a try.

I certainly wouldn't advocate taking a risk on it and just believing the seller.

Expert answer

Hi Rolande,

The €14,990 price quoted in our first drive is for the entry level, two-wheel-drive, Duster in 'Alternative' specification with the Signature 4WD model that we tested coming in at €18,990 as you say.

For reference, information from manufacturer sites should always be checked, as prices and specifications can change over time and every once in a while a car will slip through the cracks when we update test drives.

We hope that clears things up for you. 

Expert answer

Hi Ian,

BMW hasn't even confirmed production for this car as yet. However, we did manage to find out that there will be a concept at the Paris Motor Show at the end of next month in this vein. No doubt it'll be called the BMW 1 Series Gran Turismo Concept or something else cryptic like that...

Watch this space for more.

Expert answer

Hi Eamonn,

The launch date has yet to be announced, though it will be 2013. Mazda has confirmed that the new 6 will be unveiled in production-ready format at the Paris Motor Show this September.

Let's hope it looks half as good as the Takeri concept car!

Expert answer

Hi Jerome,

Can you tell us which magazine you saw this in? We'll take a look and comment further. However, the Avensis was facelifted in time for 2012 sales as you say and we are not aware of any changes on the way just yet. It would be very unusual for it to be updated within two years.

Hope that puts your relation's mind at ease.

Expert answer

Hi Rebecca,

Brian O'Driscoll is brand ambassador for Lexus Ireland.

Land Rover's brand ambassadors are Amy Huberman and Jamie Heasiip, while it is also involved with the following this year:

1)      The Goffs Land Rover Bumper at Punchestown

2)      The Goffs Land Rover Sale

3)      The Land Rover Puissance at the Horse Show

4)      The National Ploughing Championships (as exhibitors)

5)      The Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park (through Young Motors in Kilkenny)

6)      Tattersalls International Horse Trials (through Newgate Land Rover in Navan)

7)      The Ballendenisk Horse Trials (through Johnson & Perrott in Cork)

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Rosie,

It really depends on the condition, which engine it has and how many kilometres are on the clock. A quick look on Carzone.ie shows 2006 diesel Toyota Corolla hatchbacks going from €6,000 to €11,000.

Come back to us with more details if you want and we'll take a look.

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

We put this question to the official vehicle records experts, Cartell.ie. Jeff Ahern, Cartell's Director, responded in detail:

"Until the arrival of Cartell.ie in 2006 and subsequent car history checking companies in 2007/8, it was extremely difficult to get the history of a vehicle both in Ireland and the UK. Moreover, the fact that a car was imported was hidden from the Irish consumer. Now that is not the case. It is easy to trace the history of a vehicle within Ireland and the UK. That said, a study was carried out into the number of UK vehicles hitting Irish roads that were written off and clocked. The figures were quite startling in that up to 1 in 10 vehicles imported from the UK were written off and 11% had a mileage discrepancy. This affected a large number of people who had bought these vehicles before the advent of car history checking and therefore a stigma still persists with UK vehicles." 

"Furthermore the above issue was compounded by the data on the Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) in that it only shows the number of Irish owners and not any additional owners from the UK, which allowed some dealers to manipulate or gloss over the additional history."

"However, vehicles are now being advertised for at least the same price as their Irish counterparts. The UK car will often have a higher specification. But let's not forget that most Irish people know that whoever brought a car in from the UK should have paid less for it anyway and therefore they are inclined to want a similar discount when you are selling it on. And as a car ages, the extras become more of a selling tool than an earner as the depreciation had reduced their value." 

"So in summary, a UK car can have a higher specification and should be worth more than a similar Irish model of same year and mileage, but in practice - and due to the above - it will be worth the same or less. Don't forget too that a person could easily check an Irish car with a full service history by contacting the dealer who could be in their local area rather than having to ring the UK, which isn't an issue nowadays with the internet, but perception and ease are everything. "

Hope that all helps

Expert answer

Hi Cian,

We don't profess to be van experts, so we put this question to Gerry Murphy, a jury member on the Irish Van of the Year panel. His response is:

"The Volkswagen Transporter is a popular choice and owners are generally very loyal to the brand so repeat purchases are common place. Buying a used van is a little more complicated than buying a used car. As with any commercial vehicle, what the van was used for previously will tell you a lot about it. Did it tow a trailer? Was it used in the construction industry - often carrying heavy loads - or was it used to deliver flowers or light goods around a city?

A close look at the interior and cargo area for wear and tear will tell you how the van was treated. Also, vans that are owned by private members of the public are often better treated than vans that come from a fleet. As with any vehicle check if it has a service history. This is essential.

As for the Transporter, you don't say what year it is but there are things to look out for. Check that the area around the turbocharger is dry and not showing any signs of leakage. Also look under the vehicle from the rear and check that there are no signs of damage to the coil springs especially if the van pulled a trailer in its previous life."

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi James,

We put this to Cartell.ie, the vehicle records experts. Here's the response:

"Officially, there is no particular line on this question. Anecdotal evidence suggests a vehicle may still pass a subsequent NCT even with a lower odometer reading. The National Car Testing Service is not releasing its mileage data to anyone. Cartell has actively sought mileage records from the NCTS for some time now and continue to do so on the grounds of public safety."

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Rob,

For that budget we are assuming you are looking for a second-hand car. The Honda CR-V springs to mind, but the tax could be a little high for you as your budget will get you a pre-2008 version, which came with 2.0- and 2.2-litre engines. How about a five-door version of the Honda HR-V instead? We found this example on Carzone.ie and it looks the part. The 1.6-litre engine means it's not too much to tax either.

There are loads of Hyundai Santa Fes and the smaller Tucson around at that price too, though again their age and engine size might rule them out for you in terms of tax costs. Same story with the previous generation Kia Sportage.

Don't be tempted by older Land Rover Freelanders.

Another good option is the Suzuki Grand Vitara. A quick search showed that there are several 1.6-litre petrol versions with four-wheel drive within your budget, though most seem to be the less practical three-door body style, so you may need to look around to find a five-door example that suits your needs.

The Toyota RAV4 would be a great option, but keeping your tax bill down on a four-wheel drive version with five doors might be tricky. Recommeded though.

Hope all that helps. If you narrow down your search a little come back to us and we'll help you choose!

Expert answer

Hi Louise,

We put this question to official vehicle records experts, Cartell.ie, and this is what they said:

"Ideally, yes it would be advantageous to have CAT D on the logbook. However, in the UK, only CAT A to C is shown on the logbook as these cars require a Vehicle Identification Check (VIC) post-repair and before being used again on the road. The fact that the vehicle passed the VIC will be shown on the V5 (UK log book). In Ireland there is no legal obligation for insurers to notify the Department of Transport (DoT) of the write off. However, Cartell has been working with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) since 2007 to bring about legislation requiring insurers to notify the DoT. Cartell also introduced the Motor Insurers Anti Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR) Ireland, which allows insurers to notify the DoT using a Category system which had not been available until MIAFTR came into operation. The proposed legislation may well have CAT D (the lower of the write offs) put onto the log book. Cartell wrote a report on Irish write offs in 2007 and UK write offs in 2008 for the RSA and subsequently all imported cars now have to undergo an NCTS inspection (not a full check). Furthermore, if the V5 has a CAT stamped on it then this will be transferred to the Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) or Irish log book."

Hope that clears it up?

Expert answer

Hi Andrew,

It will most likely be called the Hyundai ix45 and it should make its debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. I doubt we will see it here until the second half of 2012 at the earliest. 

Expert answer

Hi Annmarie,

Well you aren't expected to know everything! When we talk about 'cost to change' we mean that lots of people go into a dealership and are fixed on how much the dealer is giving them for their car.

When you do this, you are ignoring any potential discount there might be on the car you are buying. In the case of the Honda FR-V you show here, the car is €18,950. Let's say your Jazz is worth €5,000, which is probably about right, if the dealer says it will be €13,950 to change he is not really giving you any discount off the FR-V. 

When pricing a used car, a dealer is trying to figure out how much it will cost him to prep it for sale, which is often around €800. There is no major science to this, all we mean is that if you fixate too much on the price the dealer is offering you for your car you might not see the whole picture. Focus instead on how much it will cost you to get into your next car instead. 

Bear in mind that they do have to make some money, but use this as a guide when you are choosing your next one. If all this is still a mystery to you, come back to me again. 

I hope this 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.

Expert answer

Hi Tony,

Thank you for your query. I love the Fiat Panda. It is an honest, simple car and absolutely loaded with charm - and they cost from just €7,295 under the scheme, which is really great.

The only thing I would say Tony is that time is running out for you. It is not just the issue of having a Panda in stock and getting it registered before June 30, but you also have to make sure your old car is scrapped and the paperwork is done for it before that date too! So get down to that Fiat dealership near you!

Expert answer

Hi Frank,

To be fair to the dealers in a lot of cases it is not the dealers fault as they will have sold the car and notified the classifieds website to let them know the car is sold and it doesn't get done. Other times, the dealers do this because it looks good for them if it appears that cars are flying out of the showroom. I agree though, it sure is annoying.

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

Diesel cars are now outselling petrol cars by 3 to 1 and of the petrol models that are selling, they are mainly small runabouts. The fact is that the majority of people are being drawn to the lowest possible road tax and in some cases, oddly, this means that they are actually spending more on the car then they really should have. There seems little sense to spend €2,000 - €3,000 more on a diesel car if you are saving €50 a year in road tax and your mileage is low, but that is the way it seems to be happening right now.

The problem with this is that buyers are missing out on on some really good petrol cars. Fiat and Volkswagen in particular have some smart new petrol engines. Take for example the Jetta, which you  mentioned: the new one is out now, but in the older model there was a 105hp 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine and most people baulked at this because they thought it would be too weedy for the car. The same is true of the 1.4-litre TSI, while both are more than capable of adequate performance. 

In terms of fuel economy, sure enough the diesel will usually trump the petrol, but this will only really start to make monetary sense when you do a lot of mileage. It you intend on high mileage, then you are probably better off sticking with the diesel car - Volkswagens are generally quite good at mega mileage, as are Skodas.

We've been getting quite a few queries about DPFs (diesel particulate filters) here in CompleteCar.ie but Mazda appears to be the only brand showing up faults. The Passat though has not been without its troubles and, to be honest, I am not sure if I would be buying a used one with a lot of kilometres on the clock if big mileage is likely.

You mentioned the Jetta, well this one we found would be a top buy. It has just 14,000 miles on the clock, the right 2.0-litre diesel engine and is within your budget. This would be a good buy.

Expert answer

Hi Tom,

This is something that we have heard of before, but what we were told is that it was the radio at fault, as it switched itself on randomly and therefore drained the battery that way.

We found a UK thread on the topic

Let us contact Opel on your behalf and see if they have a solution and we will come back to you on it.

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

Yes I recently had a conversation with the guys from Kia Ireland about this. There simply aren't enough of them being made and they can't make them quick enough. It is a problem that Kia have with the Sportage and Hyundai have with the ix35. Apparently they are going to add a new run on a different plant and this will help relieve the backlog, but we are being told that the delays are 'significant' and obviously with such a demand for them in right hand drive markets, especially in the UK, this is making the situation worse.

Kia Sportage - delays

There are a couple of unregistered ones around - so maybe these would be suitable if you are looking for one?

Kia Sportage - Naas Road, Dublin

Kia Sportage - Demo Model - Wicklow

Expert answer

Hi Ally,

That really isn't an easy choice, but what we would say from the start is that you have chosen well. These are three fantastic cars and to be honest, any of them will tick the most basic of boxes for you in that they will be reliable, will be comfortable and look good and offer decent value for money. Mazda offer by far the best value when it comes to the scrappage scheme, so if you are watching your budget then this might be the way to go. You can check out the full details of the Mazda3 scrappage offers here. But the most you will pay is €19,495 for a fully specced Mazda3 under scrappage and that is superb value. 

Mazda3

Ford Focus (left) & Volkswagen Golf (right)

The two cars you see above are the new Ford Focus (left) and the Volkswagen Golf (right) and choosing between these two would be a bit like asking a parent to choose one of their kids. They both have their individual traits and as such it is hard to pick between them. The new Focus is very good, but I have the hatchback this week and had the saloon last week and actually preferred the saloon. The hatchback has poor visibility out the rear and you do have to pay a lot to get some of the fancy extras that are advertised. Having said that, you will get things like alloy wheels and air conditioning in the models you have chosen. The Golf is superb. We are running a long-term Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion and the fuel economy is great. I prefer the seating position in the Golf. I find that I can get more comfortable in the Golf and the fuel economy is outstanding. It isn't as exciting as the Ford inside, but you know that it will hold its value really well.

Really Ally, all of these cars will suit your needs perfectly. If I was tight on bugdet I would probably buy the Mazda3. If you are very concerned about residual value you have to buy the Golf, while the Focus is the newest car and probably feels the most upmarket.

My favourite of these would be the Golf, but whichever one you pick you will have done well. Again I would say that you need to move pretty fast, because if you want a specific new car it can take a few weeks and there aren't many weeks left in the scrappage scheme.

Expert answer

Hi Linda,

It certainly does sound like an injector issue - assuming the coil and plugs are fine. We'd suggest that the injectors are tested before hastily replacing them. Any decent garage will do that for you - it doesn't have to be a main dealer. From the information you've given us about the car, we don't believe you can re-program the injectors. It may be possible to refurbish them, but in most cases it's probably better just to replace it.

If that's what is needed, the cost of the part itself is well over €100, but no garage should charge you more than an hour of labour for replacing it, as it's a relatively easy job.

Hope that helps and you get sorted.

Expert answer

Hi Frank,

We would expect the new Audi A3 saloon to come to Europe. Aside from retailing stretched versions of the Audi A6 in China, we are pretty sure that Audi always give Europe all of their cars. We could probably expect to get more details on this later in the year, most likely at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Like any car evolution, the A3 will undoubtedly get bigger!

Expert answer

Hiya Donal,

Our initial research shows that it appears to be 60,000km, but we will double check with SEAT and come back to you on this one.

Expert answer

Hi Ciaran,

There were a lot of used Audi A4s brought into Ireland over the last few years, mainly by personal import. I remember seeing a statistic at the time stating that there were more used Audis being imported into Ireland than there were new Audis being sold. The quality of these imported cars varied quite a lot. Two members of my own family bought cars from the years that you mention and while they have been fine, when something does go wrong (through wear and tear) the costs of parts can be pricey. 

The car you have shown us is petrol powered, which might make it tricky to sell on again, especially since you will probably reach 100,000 miles reasonably soon in it. It has had three owners too in quite a short space of time, so I would want a full history check done on the car and I'd want to know if there have been any problems. 

I think if everything checks out on that car then you could be on to a winner, although I would probably be inclined to look at a diesel with slightly higher miles because resale value might be better. 

Hope that's of help

Expert answer

Hi Jerome,

I spoke to a representative from the National Car Test on your behalf who said that changing your speedometer or your odometer would not affect your NCT at all or the VRT inspection in any way.

I hope this helps

Expert answer

The next Santa Fe will be called the ix45 as far as we know, with the ix55 being a larger seven-seater above that model at the top of the range. These will be European-spec models and will be different to what you get in the US. It is possible that the ix45 will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, which is at the end of next month, but we haven't seen images as yet. 

Expert answer

Hi Patricia,

A total of 80,000 miles on a three-year old vehicles is indeed on the high side, but if the car was serviced properly then it shouldn't be a problem. If the garage or seller in question can show a full service history and if the price is right then I wouldn't be overly concerned - especially given that you don't plan to drive it a lot.

The issue is that once the car gets over 100,000 miles then the value of the car will decrease quite quickly and there will also be more repairs due because of natural wear and tear. If you only do about 10,000 miles per year then you should see three to four years of good service out of the Galaxy, but I must stress that this car must be perfect to begin with, with a full service record. 

I hope this helps

Expert answer

Hi Patricia,

Buying a car from the UK can be cost effective. I have done it twice myself and certainly saved money. But like any car purchase you really need to make sure that you do your homework properly and exercise lots of caution. The more you can do in terms of a background check on your car the better.

We would advise you to avoid buying privately in the UK as this could prove riskier. Buy from a main dealer, where there is a proper warrranty and usually a full service history. You are still likely to save money yet there will be greater piece of mind.

Services like MotorCheck.ie offer a very thorough check on UK cars too, so they are worth spending a few Euro on for some added piece of mind. The actual purchase itself isn't really very complicated. You just need to factor in some additional costs like a flight over and a ferry back and then you need to have a good idea of how much you will be paying for the car in Vehicle Registraion Tax (VRT) when you import the car. You can pretty much do this down to the last cent these days on the Revenue on-line calculator.

Research is key; do this and you can perhaps not totally avoid risk, but certainly reduce it.

Expert answer

Hi Donal,

We got a little more information from you and we now know that your budget is around €20,000 with scrappage. The Corolla has grown in size as a saloon so I guess you aren't after something of that size. My first thought had been a Skoda Octavia diesel, which starts at €19,340, but this is also quite a big car so might not appeal.

Another excellent choice would be the new revised Mazda3. This comes with a good diesel engine and is available as a saloon, but isn't overly bulky. We drove this car recently and found it really competent. The four-door saloon version starts at €22,525, though there is €3,530 off in the scrappage deal so it would cost you €18,995, which is well under budget.

Another option would be the Renault Fluence. This is a substantial car and you get so much for the money. We had the top spec TomTom edition and although the sticker price is €23,500 it drops to €19,000 under scrappage. Read our review of the car here. However, if you think the new Corolla is too big, you may find that the Fluence is as well.

It is very hard to look beyond the Ford Focus too. The saloon might be just over your budget, but there is an excellent offer on the hatchback, which is €21,015. With scrappage this would be under budget.

In answer to your question, best for comfort, economy and reliability (and not too big), the Mazda seems to suit you best out of this lot, especially when it comes to the price. They are pretty good at holding their value too.

I hope this helps. Please feel free to come back to us if you have more questions. Just drop them into the comment box below.

Expert answer

Hi Ger,

We are likely to see the new EcoBoost engines in the facelifted version of the Mondeo, which is expected to make its debut at the Paris Motor Show later in the year.

The new EcoBoost engine will be similar to that about to make its debut in the new S-MAX. This is a 2.0-litre petrol engine (which has 203hp), but there will also be a 1.6-litre EcoBoost at some stage later this year. The 1.6-litre EcoBoost will make its debut in the new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX models. We are guessing at the power, but I think 130-150hp from the 1.6 EcoBoost would be about right. 

Ford EcoBoost combines a single turbocharger with a direct injection fuel system, delivering, as Ford says, V6 performance from a four-cylinder with fuel economy improvements of at least 10 percent. 

Expert answer

Hi Sinead,

Well your car does qualify for the scrappage scheme, which ends on December 31^st this year. All dealers who have cars that qualify for scrappage (new cars with emissions of 140g/km or less, Band A and B cars) are partaking in the scheme - at this stage most mainstream brands have some cars that qualify.

Renault is offering the best deals when it comes to the scrappage scheme and although you might not have considered a new car, it would probably make the most cost effective way of getting into another car as you will get the most money for your current Clio and the most money off a new one.

For example, if you were to trade-in your current Clio against a new version under the scrappage scheme it would cost you just €8,990 for a new one, so essentially, along with the Government allowance, you are getting a total of €5,050 off the price of a new car, and you certainly won't get this off a used one. You might, at best, hope for €1,000 off a used car for your 1999 model, so you might just get a 2008 Clio with your budget.

In summary, if your budget allows, go and get a new Clio under the scheme.

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

Sorry to tell you that the 156, as much as we love them, have not proven to be very reliable. The Driver Power Survey (carried out in the UK, but usually relevant to the same cars sold here) continuously ranks the Alfa 156 near the bottom for reliability. On closer scrutiny the much talked about electrical problems seem to be niggles rather than serious issues, though blown head gaskets and water leaks have been reported too.

As with any second-hand car, go for the example with the best service history, and make sure with the 156 that it had its 60,000-mile service done at the right time.

Same advice with the 146 really with regards to service history. It's especially important that it has had regular, on time timing belt changes so if there's no history showing this then look elsewhere. Smoky engines are a giveaway to expensive future bills, as are groans and creaks in the suspension. As with the 156, electrical niggles have been widely reported, though it seems that some cars have them and some don't...

In summary, if reliability is the most important aspect of this car purchase to you, then we'd not recommend either of these cars, but if you're already sold on the idea of one of these Alfas then we'd suggest you veer towards the 156.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Kayleigh,

The Rio is very good value under the scrappage scheme so I can understand your interest in it. You are getting a five-door family car for €10,565 (excluding delivery and related charges) under the scheme:

http://www.kiamotors.ie/showroom/scrappage/rio scrappage.aspx

The thing about scrappage is that the discount given by the Government is one part, the discount from the car firm is another; whether or not you will get further discount on top of this from the dealer is debatable. We will check in with Kia to see if you get the same level of discount from an Opel dealer - it may well be restricted to Kia outlets.

Let us come back to you on this one.

Expert answer

Hi Anthony,

With a budget of €30,000 you can afford the most expensive five-door Mazda3 officially on sale in Ireland. It's called the Z-Sport and is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 151hp. It's priced at €29,495 plus the usual 'dealer related charges'.

You wouldn't have much left for accessories though...

Mazda's site shows what's available on that front (click here to go straight to the Mazda3 section). There are loads of roof attachments, including a Thule-made bicycle rack. Unfortunately there don't appear to be prices on the site for the accessories so you'll need to contact your local dealer.

Boot space for golf clubs won't be an issue.

If you'd like recommendations for alternatives to this Mazda please let us know in the comment box below and we'll see what we can find.

Expert answer

Hi Liam

A car like yours will retail at a main VW dealer for around €13,500 - €14,000. So, you could probably expect to be offered about €11,000-€12,000 when you trade it in against a Mercedes-Benz, perhaps more if you were trading it in at a VW showroom. Dealerships often have to invest in bodywork and servicing of a trade-in so they don't tend to offer the same as it will retail for and of course they have to try and make some profit too.

Don't get too caught up on how much you are being offered for your car, but rather look at the cost to change. Remember, if you were buying the Mercedes as a straight deal you would probably get a decent discount. This discount may be used against your trade-in to make it seem more appealing.

Pricing a car isn't an exact science, but we would say shop around and don't be afraid to haggle hard!

Expert answer

It is very true that obtaining finance is a major problem at the moment. A survey by the Peugeot dealer network in late 2009 showed that 71 percent of car finance proposals were being rejected compared to 30 percent in September 2008. In the last 12 months GE Money, Friends First and Lombard Ireland all left the market, which is now dominated by the likes of Permanent TSB, Bank of Scotland Ireland and the two main banks, AIB and Bank of Ireland. Evidence also suggests that the credit union has become a prominent lender for private individuals in the car market. It isn't a free for-all from the credit unions, but if you do have a decent savings record with a credit union they are a very good option.

In most dealerships, if you go through the likes of Permanent TSB, then you will usually need a pretty hefty deposit. Volkswagen Group now have their own bank and are said to be getting very high pass rates. As with most cases, it does depend on the state of your own finances and your ability to pay back the loan.

What seems to be clear is that motor finance is available, but like so many of the radio advertisements will say, ‘terms and conditions apply’. Large deposits and tough credit checks have replaced the sort of one-click, one-signature availability of the recent past

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Hi Paul,

That is a very interesting question. You only have to look at the difference in pricing through various different genre of cars to see that we have not had cars as cheap here in Ireland in years and even when you compare them to prices in Europe things are favourable. This is of course little solace to those who find obtaining credit virtually impossible.

Manufacturers are constantly streamlining methods of production and there is much greater co-operation between manufacturers in terms of powertrain sharing and platform sharing, but the simple explanation of the reduction in prices here in Ireland is of course the easing of taxation slightly. New cars, as I am sure you are aware, are now taxed according to their CO₂ emissions and this means that cars that might once have been subjected to 30 percent VRT under the old system are now only subject to 16 percent, because of advances in engine technology. When you look at cars like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series now with emissions of less than 140g/km, as long as the present taxation system is in place, prices will remain quite low. Manufacturers are also likely to keep prices low to their retailers as every incentive needs to remain in place to keep sales moving throughout a sluggish global economy.

In answering your question, I would say that the lowering of prices certainly hasn't finished, especially here in Ireland. This year there has been a lot of discounting from manufacturers such as Renault who is aggressively targeting market share. Even when scrappage ends in December I can't see an end to this straight away, as next year, without the scrappage incentives, manufacturers and retailers will need to come up with a whole new set of incentives to draw nervous buyers back into the showrooms.

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Hi Paul,

VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax) is the main cost. VRT is chargeable on registration of a motor vehicle in the State. All motor vehicles in the State, other than those brought in temporarily by visitors, must be registered with the Revenue Commissioners. A vehicle must be registered before it can be licensed for road tax purposes.

In the case of cars and small vans, the tax is a percentage of the expected retail price - including all other taxes in the State. This price is known as the Open Market Selling Price or OMSP. The VRO will calculate this tax for you or you may obtain the details online at Vehicle Registration Online Enquiry System.

Full details on how VRT works and all the charges can be found here.

Hope that helps