Expert answer

Hi Mark,

It's more important to look at the condition than the mileage, really. If all of those miles were on the motorway, if it's shiny and fresh-looking and there's a service book full of nice dealer stamps then it should be fine. 

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

With a car like that what really drives the value is the history and condition, so if it’s perfect and if all the stamps in the service history book have a Porsche crest on them then it should be worth around €35-37,000.

The VRT export rebate process isn’t especially difficult but there are a lot of forms to fill out and you’ll need a lot of proof of where the car is going and to whom it’s been sold. You can find all the necessary details here:  http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/export-repayment-scheme/faqs.html

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Hi Joe,

A hugely underrated car, the S80. Big, comfy and mostly very reliable. As ever with something that started out in life as an expensive model, don’t buy anything without a full service history and check carefully for any electrical gremlins. They’re also sensitive to knocked-about suspension, so check the tyres carefully for any uneven wear and tear. Other than that, reliability is pretty decent. The bigger diesel engines can be expensive to run, but if you go for the 1.6 diesel you’ll have a car that’s really frugal and not all that under-powered.

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Hi there,

Right, I'll be honest - we had to get on to Nissan Ireland for help with this, but it came through in spades.

Over and above the SV model, the SVE added Xenon headlights, Intelligent Key, illuminated passenger sunvisor, seven-speaker BOSE audio system, 17-inch alloys and rear parking sensors.

The engine has a timing chain, not a belt, so it doesn't need replacement,  but it does need to be inspected at regular intervals. Any Qashqai with a full service history should be fine on that score.

In terms of economy, the 1.6 petrol Qashqai got 44mpg overall while the 1.6 diesel got 55mpg, or 60mpg if it was fitted with the stop-start system.

Hope that all helps

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Hi Laura,

No, the mileage isn’t an issue in and of itself. It all depends how well the car has been cared for. If it comes with a full service history and a stack of paperwork showing how much care and attention the previous owner has lavished on it, then the mileage simply isn’t a worry. If it comes with a sparsely stamped service book and no paperwork, walk away.

Expert answer

Hi Walter,

Well, the 2009-on Avensis is obviously a more modern design and a bit more fuel efficient and better to drive, but the older model is still a solid bet - hugely reliable and very spacious. 

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Hi Rochelle,

It's a chain, and generally speaking it should be replaced or at least given a major overhaul at the 200,000km mark so you'd need to make sure that's been done. As for the mileage, it's maybe a touch high, but as ever, you should buy on condition, not mileage. If this car seems to have been well cared for and comes with a fully stamped service book then it should be fine. 

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Hi Michael,

Yes, the Berlingo is generally excellent. It is occasionally prone to electrical issues, but they tend to be minor and the engines and gearboxes are long-lived and hard-wearing. As long as you buy one with a full service history, you should be fine. The cabins can be a little fragile at times, but being van-based, it should be easy to clean out after the dogs.

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Hi Kaara,

Caddys are really good, no question and one of them should definitely be top of your shopping list. It's also well worth looking at a Citroen Berlingo, Renault Kangoo and Ford Transit Connect too though.

As for common Caddy problems? Look out for fuel injection and air mass sensor problems on older models and make sure anything you're looking at comes with a full service history. 

Expert answer

Hi Kamal,

Right, first off, have you exhausted all options when it comes to getting the mechanic or garage in question to deal with the issue? Have you complained, in copied writing, to them? Have they replied?

If they've tried to fob you off, then you need to remind them that all work carried out is covered by the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980, which states that all work carried out must be of merchantable quality – in other words, that the work should have fixed whatever problem you had, and if not then a refund or another repair should have been offered.

If all that's been done and you've still got nowhere, then you have two options. If the mechanic in question is registered with the Society of the Irish Motor Indsutry (SIMI) then you can complain to that body. Its contact details and complaints procedure are here: http://www.simi.ie/Consumer+Information/Consumer+Services/Contact+Complaints+Service.html

If the mechanic is not SIMI-registered, or if you get no satisfaction from that process, then you're best off going to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, who can be contacted here: http://www.consumerhelp.ie/

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