Expert answer

Hi Roseanna,

First things first — if you’re doing mostly urban and motorway miles, you really don’t need an SUV. A more conventional hatchback, saloon, or estate is going to be more comfortable, better value, more economical and a better-engineered vehicle all round. If you’re looking for something with practicality then the likes of a Skoda Octavia Combi estate, a Volkswagen Golf Estate, a Kia Ceed SW, or the new Ford Focus Estate all have much bigger boots than any small-to-medium SUV (more than 600 litres, all of them, compared to around 450 litres for, say, a Nissan Qashqai), and they’re all better to drive and more frugal.

However, if you’re hooked on SUVs then we’d recommend a SEAT Ateca (plain wrapper, but it’s roomy, comfy and nice to drive) or a Toyota C-HR (small on the inside, relatively, but hugely stylish and the hybrid version is frugal). If you’re looking to ‘posh-up’ a bit, then the incoming new Audi Q3 is a bit of a stunner, or if you want something smaller and more affordable than any of those, try the updated Fiat 500X, which is kinda cute and charming.

Here are our relevant reviews for you to read more:

Skoda Octavia Combi review

Volkswagen Golf Estate review

Kia Ceed Sportswagon review

Ford Focus Estate review

Nissan Qashqai reviews

SEAT Ateca reviews

Toyota C-HR reviews

Audi Q3 reviews

Fiat 500X reviews

Expert answer

Hi Barry,

Well, much though we love the new Camry, it’s actually quite small in the boot department — just 445 litres — so that probably counts it out here. The CR-V Hybrid is also a little short on boot space (just 497 litres). The incoming new Toyota RAV4 should have a decent boot, but if it’s boot space you need (and seat comfort too) then the Skoda Superb is hard to beat. Plus it looks smart, it’s nice to drive and well made. A brilliant package, really.

Relevant review links below:

Toyota Camry review

Skoda Superb reviews

Honda CR-V reviews

Expert answer

Hi Sam,

If you take a look at our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained article, you'll see that your car falls into the older motor tax system, categorised by engine size. A 2007 Skoda Octavia 1.4's engine measures 1,390cc, so its annual rate of tax is €385.

Expert answer

Hi Gustavo,

Well, reliability and running costs are not necessarily the same thing. The ultimate in reliability is probably a Toyota Land Cruiser, but that’s hardly cheap to run or to tax… I think there’s a couple of good options here, though. Sticking with Toyota, the Auris is a solid bet, and even more so if you go for the Hybrid model, which will help keep your tax and fuel costs down. Get the Tourer estate model if you need maximum family space.

The Honda Civic is also a very good bet, and the 1.6 iDTEC diesel is probably the best model to go for to keep fuel and tax bills down. Again, if you want maximum space for the kids and their things, track down the (rather handsome) estate version.

Skoda’s Octavia is solidly reliable too (again, the Combi estate is the one to go for) and you can choose from 1.6 TDI diesel, or an excellent 1.2 TSI petrol turbo, both of which are frugal and tax-efficient. Just check its history to see if it’s been used as a taxi — many have been.

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

Renault currently doesn’t have a scrappage offer available, but other brands — including Hyundai, Skoda, Peugeot, Opel and more — do and,  depending on which vehicle you’re looking at buying, you can get as much as €4,500 off.

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

Expert answer

Hi Andy,

While I don’t think a diesel car is going to be worthless by the time you trade it in, it might well be worth less, if you see the distinction. That said, with your mileage, I’d say you should be looking at petrol or hybrid all the way. A 2.0 TFSI A6 Avant sounds ideal if you can find one and assuming that you’re already happy that all three kids can fit safely and comfortably in the back. A BMW 520i Touring would be the most obvious alternative (and a darned fine one at that) and a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate even better again (assuming you can find one with a petrol engine) and you can find them with seven seats. Volvo’s old-shape V70 is also worth a look, not least from the safety point of view. That said, make absolutely sure you check out a current-shape Skoda Superb Combi estate too — they’re actually roomier inside than any of the premium-badge stuff, and very comfortable too.

Expert answer

Hi Roddy,

Well, it sounds definitely as if petrol is the way to go, and as you’ve mentioned the Ateca, that’s a good one to look at. It’s cheaper, by a little, than most of the competition, has an excellent 1.0-litre 115hp turbo petrol engine (don’t be put off by the small engine — it copes just fine) and isn’t ‘smaller’ at all — it’s the same size as the VW Tiguan, thanks to using the same chassis. The same goes for Skoda’s Karoq. A Peugeot 3008 with the 1.2 PureTech petrol engine would also be a good choice, but the Sportage isn't currently offered as a decent small petrol version, so we’d give that a swerve. The Nissan Qashqai comes with a good 1.2 turbo petrol, but doesn’t feel as good to drive in that form as the diesel. The Opel Mokka X is just too old a design and feels well out of date, but actually if you can cope with the smaller size, the Suzuki Vitara’s a good shout — good to drive, good looking and hugely reliable.

Read or reviews for more:

Volkswagen Tiguan reviews

Nissan Qashqai reviews

SEAT Ateca reviews

Peugeot 3008 reviews

Kia Sportage reviews

Suzuki Vitara reviews

Opel Mokka X reviews

Skoda Karoq reviews

Expert answer

Hi Arvind,

The work to change the oil and filter in that Skoda is little different to the same job in any other car, but we'd not recommend it is done by someone without experience unless supervised by someone that has. There are lots of things that can go wrong in the process that could lead to engine damage and further costs, which would massively outweigh the savings made by not going to a professional in the first place. 

If you are determined to do it, here is a generic step-by-step set of instructions that could be applied to most cars, and it's written on the assumption that the car is safely raised on a proper vehicle lift:

- With the lift lowered, turn off the ignition, remove the keys and pop the bonnet.

- Remove and clean the dipstick and remove the oil filler cap. Make sure nothing can fall into the hole.

- Raise the lift so you can comfortably walk under the car and reach the underside of the engine.

- With a suitable collecting recepticle to hand, locate the oil sump plug and remove it. The dirty used oil will start to flow before it is fully out so be prepared for that.

- Once the flow has clearly slowed to a tricikle, locate the oil filter. On some cars this will be accessible from above the engine, in others, below. On some cars, it will be a cartridge within a permanent outer casing, on others, an aluminium-skinned component that screws off in its entirety. It's highly likely you'll need a special oil filter removal tool to take it off. Most of the time, a small amount of dirty oil will leak out, so be prepared to collect that under the car.

- Check the new oil filter against the old one. In particular, the sealing rings must be in an identical position.

- Fit new oil filter tightly to recommended tightness.

- It's often a good idea to fit a new oil sump washer at this stage, then tighten up the sump plug to the recommended tightness and give everything a wipe down.

- Lower the car again and fill with new oil to about a litre less than the official full level. Replace the dipstick and oil filler cap.

- Start the engine without revving it, let it idle a minute, then turn it off again.

- Check the oil level with a cleaned dipstick and top up as necessary.

Expert answer

Hi Allan,

Orthopaedic seat covers can help, right enough, but it can be a bit of a process of trial and error, and I’d say the best bet in that instance is to get some advice from your doctor, or your back specialist if you have one. As for cars with the best ride quality, the Yaris is pretty good in that respect (although the heavier hybrid version is perhaps less good), but the best bet is, whatever car you’re going to buy, make sure you go for the smallest possible wheel option, with the largest possible tyre sidewall profile. It’s the secret to a comfy ride.