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 Martin,

There were several different versions of that engine in production that year, oddly, some with timing belts, some with timing chains. We’d need the engine code to be able to answer properly I’m afraid.

Expert answer

Hi Louise,

It would be €710 a year. See our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained guide for more information.

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

VAT at 23 per cent is charged on the customs value, which as I mentioned before includes the purchase price (in the UK), the cost of transport and insurance, plus customs duties.

In your case, the purchase price is €13,610.77, which means customs duties of €1,361.08 (10 per cent). To those you’ll have to add the transport and insurance costs to bring the car back - i.e. your ferry fare. Let’s say €200. All that adds up to €15,171.85 as the customs value. The VAT should then be 23 per cent of that, or €3,489.53.

Please double check our calculations and take this as guidance only.

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

VAT at 23 per cent is charged on the ‘customs value’ of the car, which, according to Revenue is “the purchase price, plus the cost of transport and insurance, plus any Customs Duties payable”. It has nothing to do with the OMSP (Open Market Selling Price).

Expert answer

Hi Mehir,

I agree, there’s no way the OMSP is so low for that car so don’t take that figure seriously. I’d suggest a minimum OMSP of €14,000. If the CO₂ is 127g/km (and that will depend on the specific model - some versions are in the band below) then VRT is 17.5 per cent, so that would be €2,450 before the NOx levy, which should only be €160 according to our data.

And it sounds like no VAT or import duty would be due on that car as you’ve said.

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

If you go to https://www.mlit.go.jp/jidosha/jidosha_fr10_000019.html (and use a browser that will automatically translate it from Japanese to English for you) you can scroll down to item 6 and get Excel files full of information for loads of JDM cars. Those hold engine codes, etc, fuel consumption and CO₂ data, but not NOx information that we can see unfortunately. 

Expert answer

Hi Ahmed,

We can help you calculate an estimate, but bear in mind there are variables that are outside our control. The two items needed are the CO₂ rating to determine the VRT band the car is in and the OMSP. The latter - standing for Open Market Selling Price - is not a fixed thing and not directly linked to how much you pay for the car. It is the price Revenue believes the car would sell for registered in Ireland and it's not always easy to guess a figure for. Also bear in mind that if the car has lots of extras, Revenue will bump up the OMSP. 

Anyway, to help give an estimate, I believe the CO₂ rating for that model should put the car into Band 9, at 15.25 per cent. 

Taking €19,000 as the example OMSP, that would mean a VRT bill of €2,897.50. 

Don't forget the NOx levy and, depending on where you're importing the car from, VAT and import duty as well.

Expert answer

Hi Phil,

On the Irish market, the M Sport model rides on 18-inch alloy wheels while the Sport version is on 17-inch rims with higher-profile tyres. As standard they both get the same suspension, but the tyres will make the M Sport model feel 'firmer' on the road for sure. 

Expert answer

Hi Lorraine,

The MG is certainly worth a look as it's exceptionally good value and also quite a spacious car. The Hyundai is perhaps a better-known quantity with a wider dealer network, but MG offers a great new-car warranty as well so don't be put off by that. If you're tempted by all the mod cons for that price I expect the MG might win for you, though make sure you go drive both for yourself to see which you prefer.

Buying new suits some people and not others. If you're buying with finance then it works well, and there's nothing quite like that new-car feel either. But others don't want to pay for the early years of depreciation that a new car comes with.

Of the used cars you mentioned, the Karoq and Ateca were never offered as hybrids. The Formentor was available as a plug-in hybrid if you'd consider that. It's a lovely car for sure.