Expert answer

Hi Joe,

I presume you're asking this from a classic car point of view? The bad news is that pretty much all petrol sold in Ireland conforms to E5, or in other words has been blended with a five per cent mix of bio-source ethanol - alcohol derived from plants. The good news is that there's no evidence that running an older engine on E5 has any unpleasant effects. If the car has already been updated to accept unleaded petrol then you should be fine. The only issues arise when the car is left standing for a long time with the fuel sitting in the tank. Then the ethanol and petrol can separate, which can cause corrosion in the tank and/or fuel lines. 

Expert answer

Hi Karen,

The official claimed figures (and I'm assuming you mean the two-wheel-drive variants here) are 35mpg for the petrol model and 40mpg for the diesel. That sounds like a close run thing, but it depends on your driving. If you're doing mostly short, around-town hops, then the petrol will do better. For lots of long journeys, get the diesel.

Expert answer

Hi Keith,

Depends on condition and history of course, but I'd say between €5,000 and €5,900 is a good ballpark. We've seen one on for €11,000, but frankly that person is out of their head...

Expert answer

Hi Paolo,

If you're selling it yourself, I'd say about €2,200, but it'll have to be in exceptional condition for that money, with a full and unblemished service history. You'd be lucky to get half that as a trade-in though.

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 Pauline,

At that age, I'd put the Fiesta ahead of the Hyundai. It's better to drive by far, better looking too and barely any less well made or reliable. True, the Hyundai has that long warranty, but at four years old that's coming to an end, so the balance swings back to the Ford. Get the brilliant 1.25-litre petrol engine and I don't think you'll go too far wrong. Lots out there to choose from so be picky when it comes to history, condition and price.

The end of December is the quietest for used car sales in dealers so you could strike a good bargain if you go in there with a cash offer ready to drive away. The New Year could be a bit busier if you're buying through a franchise that also sells new cars.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi Milan,

It sounds to us like a bad earth or, surprisingly common, an incorrect bulb. Try changing that first to see if it cures the issue.

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

If it's a small petrol hatch you're looking for then I think the best options are either a Ford Focus with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo engine (the 100hp version is the sweetest) or either one of the three Volkswagen Group hatches (Golf, Skoda Octavia or SEAT Leon) with the brilliant 1.2 TSI turbo. Both engines, if driven gently, should yield close-to-diesel fuel economy.

Incidentally, your point about higher seats being easier to get in and out of for elderly drivers is well made. It might be worth checking out something nearly-new along the lines of a Golf Plus or Ford C-Max in that regard.

Expert answer

Hi Justin,

Nice car, but just make sure that you're not planning lots of long motorway journeys in it as that 2.0-litre petrol engine can get a bit thirsty. Otherwise, check for electrical gremlins and make sure that the front tyres are wearing evenly - if not, the suspension could need adjusting or repair.

Expert answer

Hi Mike,

It depends which engine is in your car. The 2.0-litre diesel is every 150,000 miles (241,000km) or two years, while all models with a 2.4-litre diesel (or petrol engine for that matter) come with a 108,000-mile (174,000km) interval - or two years again.

Always err on the side of caution with timing belts.