Expert answer

Hi Pat,

The NCT testing manual doesn't specifically mention each and every warning light, but that light usually means there is something up with a system in the engine that may affect its emissions. Hence, it may fail its NCT on that basis. We'd always recommend you get such things remedied before bringing a car for testing.

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Hi Jerome,

This change was made in December 2011 and as you rightly point out, imported used cars registered in Dublin start at 120,000. That's for each year of manufacture, so the first important car from 1994 will start 94 D 120000 and there could also be a 01 D 120000 for instance. Each of the counties has a different starting number appropriately higher than the highest number of cars sold in that county in any year. The list doesn't appear to be available online, but we've requested it for information and will pass it on as soon as we get it.

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Hi Derek,

First up, don't read anything into the Irish Army changing vehicles. That goes through a rigorous tendering process and no doubt price is a big part of it.

You're right though, the Patrol is known to have head gasket and gearbox issues from 60,000 miles on. Check the service history on the model you're looking at. If neither have been done then be wary.

Best bet is to have a full mechanical inspection done by an expert.

Best of luck

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Hi Dermot,

This doesn't appear to be very good value to us. Even though your Passat is probably only worth €1,000 or so to the dealer, the mileage of the Santa Fe is above average and the price is therefore quite optimistic - though clearly the service, tyres and NCT make it considerable more appealing.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Aidan,

Without knowing your budget and what your needs with regards to towing etc. are it's difficult to give a precise answer, but as a starting point, and in alphabetical order:

None of Audi's Q models are really suited to heavy off-road work, though the Q5 and Q7 are fine towing machines. Not that you'll find a Q7 with a manual gearbox.

Same story with BMW's X models. Fine for towing. You'll have to seek out an older X5 if you want a manual transmission though.

Citroen C-Crosser, Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V, Hyundai ix35: fine road cars.

Hyundai Santa Fe: depending on age and spec can be quite good off-road and as a tow car.

Hyundai Terracan: horrible beast of a thing, but it is big...

Hyundai Tucson: more car-like than most 4x4s.

Isuzu Trooper: hard as nails, durable workhorse.

Jeep Cherokee: good workhorse, but raucous on the road.

Jeep Compass: really not that great on the road despite its 'crossover' image.

Jeep Grand Cherokee: surprisingly good depending on age.

Jeep Patriot: a Compass with more upright bodywork...

Jeep Wrangler: tough, great off-road, but not so good on it.

Kia Sorento: first generation a tough tow car; latest more road-biased.

Kia Sportage: fine road car - especially the latest one.

Land Rover Defender: same comments as Jeep Wrangler above.

Land Rover Discovery: one of the very best all-rounders - newer versions way better.

Land Rover Freelander: good mix of on-road behaviour with all-road ability, but others at price better.

Range Rover line-up: luxurious regular model not bad off-road, Sport great to drive on-road and Evoque not really a 4x4 despite the badge.

Mazda CX-5: new SUV in the crossover mould - lovely on the road, where it should stay.

Mercedes-Benz M-Class: see BMW X5 comments.

Mitsubishi ASX/Outlander: very much road cars.

Mitsubishi L200/Pajero/Shogun: durable, strong, tough, but also rough and unrefined - proper 4x4 system though.

Nissan Navara/Pathfinder: see L200 etc. above...

Nissan Qashqai: a road car, even in 4x4 guise.

Nissan Terrano: old-school 4x4.

Nissan X-Trail: pretty good mix of attributes.

Opel Antara: road car - and not a good one.

Peugeot 4007, Renault Koleos, Skoda Yeti: just road cars.

SsangYong Actyon/Kyron/Rexton: rough and ready tow machines.

Subaru Forester: more a road car, though later one pretty good.

Subaru Outback/XV: road cars - nice ones.

Suzuki Grand Vitara: not bad as an all-rounder - relatively cheap and cheerful.

Suzuki SX4: car with 4x4 mechanicals.

Toyota Hilux/Land Cruiser: enviable reputation for toughness and reliability, though not very civilised.

Toyota RAV4: good road car, ok tow car.

Volkswagen Amarok: good all-rounder, though just a pick-up.

Volkswagen Tiguan: lovely road car, but most models so-so off-road.

Volkswagen Touareg: high quality car that's a good all-rounder.

Volvo XC60/XC90: good road cars - not for off-road.

So come back to us with more details and we'll talk you through a purchase.

Expert answer

Hi Justin,

I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that the lower mileage car you can find, the better. All three models mentioned are suitable for the job, though there's a reason so many taxis are the Toyota Avensis. It's the one we'd veer towards. The BMW would be a nicer car than either the Passat or the Toyota, but once you start racking up high mileage its maintenance could get expensive.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Roger,

We put this one to Volkswagen Ireland. It was confirmed that Park Distance Control is available for the 2005 Passat saloon (B6), with part number "3C0 054 630". It includes a control unit, four sensors, a sound generator and connecting wires. Best bet is to contact your local Volkswagen dealer for a price. We believe the sensors can even be painted to match the colour of your car.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

It sounds like this choice is down to personal opinion. The Passat has a better reputation for reliability, though the Insignia is not too shabby on that front. The creaking interiors affected early cars and you should be able to quickly check for it on a test drive.

We agree that the Insignia is a better looking car, though the Passat Highline has a great specification. Countering all that the Insignia's 2.0-litre engine is more powerful, if louder and less refined.

In summary, we'd probably go for the Passat, but regret it every time we see a good Insignia!

Best of luck - let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Ann,

Our writer Kyle Fortune drove the new ML 250 CDI so I've passed the question to him for answering. This is what he said:

"The base 250 CDI engine in the ML is actually a 2.1-litre turbodiesel mated to a seven-speed automatic to best make use of the engine's torque and power spread. It works relatively well too, so long as you remember you're shifting quite a lot of bulk without masses of power. That said it's got a sizeable 500Nm of torque generated low in the rev range, so the ML 250 CDI is rapid enough in town traffic. It's only out of town - on a motorway slip road when you push it - that you'll perhaps be a bit underwhelmed by the performance. It's all about expectations though, and really, it's a credible performer.

As to the BMW? It's difficult to comment on a car that doesn't exist, but experience of BMW's small capacity turbodiesels does suggest that they typically over deliver on expectations - the 520d for example feels very rapid given its size and weight. How that will translate to the bigger, weightier X5 is questionable, though BMW is unlikely to release a product that's not at the top of its game. We've not heard anything about a 2.5d X5 (officially or not), but it's quite possible given the prevailing economic climate and the ever tightening quest for economy. Downsizing is common so it stands to reason that BMW might be considering it for the X5."

Feel free to come back to us if you would like to know more.

Expert answer

Hi Mick,

The 1.6-litre TDI engine has 105hp, which doesn't sound like much, but it's the engine's torque that matters more in the real world, and this Passat has 250Nm from just 1,500rpm. It's more than enough for the Passat in most circumstances and as all the performance is low down in the rev range you don't really change down to overtake.

Saying all that, if you plan on towing or you drive with a full car regularly you'll appreciate the extra power of the 2.0 TDI engines, but most people will find the 1.6 perfectly acceptable.

Hope that helps.