Expert answer

Hi Ann,

Yeah, you might just scrape into a 2012 model in either car but to be fair, though rolling back to a 2011 or even a 2010 (assuming that condition and history are OK) isn't really going to be any hardship. As for the C4 Picasso, well it's a very, very different type of car altogether - a big, spacious family MPV rather than a low-slung sports saloon. They're nice and comfy, but won't be as well built as either of the German cars.

If it were our choice to make, we'd go with the Audi - comfy, decent to drive and reliable.

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Hi William,

Two excellent choices there. If it was the new-shape Santa Fe you were looking at we'd recommend that without hesitation. As it's the older shape one though you need to think a little more carefully, as its CO₂ emissions are on the high side these days. In that sense the Q5, in spite of being more expensive and smaller inside, is possibly the better choice.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Jim,

It depends on the year, as the Lexus RX 400h was sold before and after the motor taxation system change in 2008. For later models the emissions fall into tax Band F, costing €1,200 per annum. For earlier cars, because the engine size puts it into the highest category, the annual cost is €1,809.

Hope that helps

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Hi Rory,

Both cars use dual clutch semi-automatic gearboxes, which are pretty slick-shifting, but Volkswagen's DSG transmission just edges it for smoothness and quickness. 

On the emissions front it's rather bad news I'm afraid. If you're buying 2008 model year cars then you're looking at emissions of 189g/km for the Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Powershift and 175g/km for the Passat 2.0 TDI DSG. That means tax of €750 a year.

It gets a bit better if you can spool forward to 2010 when the Passat's emissions drop to 158g/km so that means a tax bill of €570 a year. 

Just for reference, the Mondeo 2.0 diesel auto gets an official 39mpg while the 2010 Passat with DSG gets 47mpg.

To be honest, if you can live without an automatic gearbox you would be better to go for the 1.6-litre diesel versions of either car. Both have decent performance and much better economy and emissions. For instance, a 1.6 BlueMotion Technologies Passat gets 62mpg and has emissions of just 118g/km so tax of €200 a year.

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Hi Dave,

We're assuming you mean the current 1.6 TDCi version of the Ford C-Max, which has 95hp. It emits 117g/km, putting it in Band A4, which currently costs €200 per annum.

Expert answer

Hi there,

Welcome to Ireland! I'd suggest you have a look for a Honda Civic 1.4 petrol automatic. That's probably the best balance between reliability (Civics are very reliable), economy and sticking within your budget. The higher road tax comes from the changeover to a carbon emissions based system in 2008. Prior to that cars were taxed according to their engine size, but the Civic's 1.4-litre petrol engine should keep your tax bills down to a reasonable level. Sadly, there's nothing you can do to change the NCT test - every car requires one every two years once it's more than four years old, and every year once it's more than ten years old. Again, the Honda will help here - they're really well built so less likely to develop problems that would cause you to fail an NCT test, as long as you look after it and keep it serviced.

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Hi Rao,

At a rough guess that should give you a budget of between €10,000 and €12,000, which is healthy enough. If you've been a Toyota owner in the past I'm assuming you want to stick with something that'll be reliable so my first suggestion is an Auris hatchback. They're spacious inside, so pass the two kids test with ease and the 1.33-litre petrol version should be economical enough for your commuting style. 

Also consider a Honda Civic. If anything, Hondas tend to be even better built than Toyotas and while the Civic's avant-garde styling may be a bit of an acquired taste, its spacious and practical cabin is a boon for family life. A 2.2-litre diesel may sound like overkill but it's a terrific engine and has low emissions and therefore is cheap to tax. 

Finally, if you want something with a bit more space, how about a Kia cee'd SW estate? Reliably solid, and with that seven-year warranty, pleasant to drive and the estate version has a massive boot.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

If you're doing low mileage then you are way better off sticking with petrol. Even taking the higher tax into account, you'll still never make back the higher purchase price in fuel savings and with low mileage you're almost certainly going to run into diesel particulate filter issues. 

The good news is that the 1.6 Avensis is pretty economical for a small petrol engine in a big car. Drive it gently and you should regularly see the sunny side of 40mpg.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

Basically yes, it's almost impossible to kill an Avensis, but you could also consider a Skoda Superb, Honda Accord or Mazda6 as they will all be similarly reliable. The Mazda is the most fun to drive, the Accord the most luxurious (though they are pricey too) and the Superb the most spacious. The Avensis is a good mix of the three and with so many being on the road, you'll probably get the best value by shopping Toyota. Just avoid ex-taxi ones and it's worth buying an approved second hand example from a Toyota dealer to get a warranty and good after-sales care.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi Tom,

Very few, thankfully. Watch for damp carpets as the ventilation system filters have a habit of leaking and letting water into the cabin, and check too to make sure that all of the pipes and plumbing on the diesel engine are correct - there were some problems with them in that regard. There's also a recurring issue with the airbag warning light that seems to be more related to the light than the actual airbag, but it's irritating nonetheless. 

The CO₂ emissions for the 1.4 TDCi Fusion are 120g/km so it'll cost you €200 a year to tax.