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Hi Aine,

It will depend on the spec and mileage, but €3,900 should be a good ballpark to start with. 

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Hi Ruairi,

The Auris stands out mostly because it will be the most reliable and also because it has the most interior space. That said, the 1.4 diesel isn't perfect and does develop oil pump issues so check to see if it's had any remedial work done.

Of the other two, the Megane is a solid and sensible choice and the 308 is roomy and very economical. Overall, I'd say the Toyota is the best bet though.

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Hi Nigel,

The Duster has been on sale in Europe for more than a decade now and, for the most part, it has built up a decent reputation for reliability. Because it’s so basic, it lacks many of the more modern electronic systems that cause so many problems in more expensive models, which helps. The 1.5 dCi diesel is a sold engine, although you do need to keep an eye out for troubles with the turbo if it hasn’t been serviced properly.

Other things to think about are damage underneath the car from owners trying to drive further off road than the car was designed for. As long as you’re buying one with a full service history I wouldn’t have too many concerns.

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Hi Cathal,

You are indeed entitled to a refund, but not immediately. Under the Sale of Goods and Supply Of Services Act, if a product is “not of merchantable quality” then you are entitled to a repair, replacement or a refund. It will be up to you and the dealer from whom you bought the car to discuss which of these will be the case, and most dealers will try at least to repair the car at first, as obviously that’s usually the most cost-effective route from their perspective.

You can demand a refund and nothing else, but I’d make sure you have a good solicitor on your side before doing that as technically if the dealer is offering you a repair then they are fulfilling their duties under the act.

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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. 

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Hi Kieran,

Yes, turbocharged petrol engines do often have exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems and dual-mass flywheels, but they are far less likely to cause problems due to, respectively, the different exhaust gases and the torque characteristics of the engine. Added to which, petrol engines work at lower combustions pressures and with less vibration than diesel engines so there's a little less wear and tear to worry about.

No, turbocharged petrol engines don't have particulate filters as, for now, they're considered 'clean' enough not to need them. That will change in the coming years, however.

Finally, the low-down-power thing is simple physics. Most turbocharged petrol engines and their diesel counterparts are pretty close on top-end power numbers (generally grouping around the 110-120hp level), but the difference you're talking about is torque - turning force, that low-down lugging sensation. Some of that is down to turbo design and the fact that a heavier diesel engine can accept higher turbocharger pressures, but most is simply down to the fact that diesel burns from compression ignition, which generates more torque and makes the engine feel more muscular at lower rpm. 

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Hi Des,

You’ll need to check for a blown turbo (lots of smoke, no power) and also check that the diesel particulate filter hasn’t become clogged up if the mileage is low. The electric windows and ventilation fan are fragile, and make sure that the clutch is engaging cleanly as for some reason replacing the clutch is an expensive job on a Fluence.

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Hi Cathal,

The Qashqai would be a reliable car in general terms, although they do tend to suffer from sagging suspension and occasional turbocharger failure on the diesel model. The engine management system can also go awry. The Corolla is perhaps not as perfectly reliable as is sometimes painted, but overall I’d expect it to be a little more reliable than the Nissan. 

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Hi Cathal,

That model has a timing belt, and it has to be changed every 100,000km or seven years. It’s a hugely reliable car though, easily the equal of its little brother, the Corolla.

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Hi Laurie,

Well, the cee’d is a good, solid car so if you want to keep it going it will probably do for a while yet. At ten years old, there’s not going to be much value left in it either way, so a few extra months with it won’t dent your trade in. Which is good news, as there’s an all-new Kia Rio launching very soon, which will be on sale in Ireland before the summer. It’s roomier and much more sophisticated than the current model, and with your mileage forget about diesel – go for the brilliant little 1.0-litre turbo petrol.