Expert answer

Hi Sean,

We are driving the new European-spec Ford Mustang next month so keep an eye on our reviews page for the full lowdown. 

Expert answer

Hi Cathal,

The Q3 is nice and all but the Q5 is definitely superior so perhaps think of going for a nearly-new Q5 instead of a brand new Q3? There is no official scrappage programme at the moment, but some car makers are offering self-funded scrappage deals - Opel, Nissan, Toyota and Ford among them. Audi isn’t though, so you may need to re-think your brand if you fancy a trade-in leg-up. That said, even with the tax, a Lexus is still a Lexus so you should get a decent trade-in offer.

Read our Audi Q3 review here

Expert answer

Hi Paul,

If you mean the current model X-Trail, then you're looking at Band B1 (€270 per annum) or Band B2 (€280 per annum) depending on the spec of the car.

Have you read our review of the Nissan X-Trail?

Expert answer

Hi David,

I would reckon you'd be better off going for the 1.3-litre Opel. If it's pre-08 it'll have cheaper road tax and given your age I would think keeping the engine capacity down as far as possible would be good from an insurance point of view.

Expert answer

Hi Jerome,

If the car is taxed according to engine size (pre July 2008), then the annual tax cost for a 1,801- to 1,900cc car is €673. For 1,901- to 2,000cc it's €710.

However, later models are taxed according to CO₂ emissions and we can't guess that from the engine size so come back to us if you need more help, with more information.

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

Ah, you mean the old days of cars rolling home with 'For Reg' scrawled front and rear with marker pen? 1993 was the last year this was allowed and after that the Vehicle Registration Act was introduced and, as the wording of the act goes, "An authorised person shall not deliver, send out or otherwise make available for use a vehicle which, but for compliance with this subsection, would be unregistered, to a person who is not an authorised person without first - (a) declaring the prescribed details of the vehicle to the Commissioners in accordance with section 131, and (aa) ensuring that the identification mark assigned to it under section 131(5) is displayed on the vehicle in the prescribed manner, and (b) paying vehicle registration tax in respect of the registration of the vehicle."

Expert answer

Hi Helen,

If you mean the current model, with the 2.0-litre 140hp TDCi engine, then that has emissions of 139g/km of CO₂, putting it into Band B2 for motor tax, which has a six-month cost of €155.

Expert answer

Hi Shay,

Just as with motor tax, Vehicle Registration Tax is calculated based on the CO₂ emissions of the car in question. It starts at 14 per cent of the wholesale price of the car (inclusive of options) for cars in the lowest tax band, 0- to 80g/km of CO₂ rising to a maximum of 36 per cent for the highest band, for cars emitting more than 225g/km of CO₂.

The most common bands are Bands A2 to A4 and B1 and B2, which run from 15 per cent to 19 per cent.

Expert answer

Hi Aisling,

You won't go far wrong with the Octavia. Get the 1.6 TDI and you've got a potential 55mpg car with lots of space and terrific build quality and reliability. If you're looking for alternatives, then there's always the Volkswagen Golf (mechanically the same as the Skoda but less spacious inside) or the Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi (terrific to drive and good value but poor standard equipment and they're tight in the back).

Expert answer

Hi Declan,

Don't worry about the handling - MINIs are terrific to drive. Great fun. The C30 is perhaps a bit less so and Volvo parts and servicing have always been on the pricey side, but it's a much more practical car than the MINI, which is seriously short on space. Both are fine cars though, reliable too so it's a question of what you value more - space and comfort (Volvo) or driving fun (MINI).