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Hi Susan,

If it has a full service history, and is in good condition, then no. The rule is to always buy on condition and history, and never just on mileage. Besides, being a Kia, this one still has six years of original warranty left to run, so you have a massive safety net if anything does go wrong (which is unlikely). 

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Hi Gary,

It’s hard for us to accurately diagnose a problem such as this without seeing the car, but it sure doesn’t sound right. Certainly, any time we’ve driven a GLC test car we’ve not noticed any such issue with the rear suspension, and there seems to be no common issue with the car that would account for it. I would suggest going back to the dealer and insist that they replicate what you’ve been doing to try and see if there’s an obvious problem. Maybe try and take out a dealer demo car and do the same with it as a test, too. 

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Hi Fintan,

At the moment we don’t have a set date for when the Model 3 will arrive in Ireland, as the first European deliveries are all left-hand-drive cars. We expect that it will be early 2020 before the first Irish deliveries are due to start. If you’re keen to get one early on we recommend contacting Tesla (in Sandyford, Dublin) to discus order placement. You can currently reserve a Model 3 through Tesla’s own website, too. Initially, all-wheel-drive, long range versions will be offered, which we expect to cost between €60,000 and €70,000 depending on specification, but in time the cheaper standard range car should become available in Europe. 

In the meantime, check out our review of the Model 3 here.

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Hi Peter,

You make a good point about the spare wheel, and it’s something we should look at more often. Actually, it’s a serious issue — a great many cars now come with no spare at all, as car makers trim them to save weight for emissions and economy tests.

Try the Kia e-Niro before you take the leap — it’s mechanically the same as the Kona but roomier inside, and should come with a slightly better standard spec. The Leaf is an excellent car, but we can’t comment on the longer range version as we’ve not driven it yet. Likewise the Volkswagen I.D., which looks set to be a game changer, but obviously as we’ve not driven one it’s hard to tell. Basically, the best advice is if you can hang on for a few months, that might be worth doing.

A few reviews to help you decide:

Hyundai Kona Electric review

Kia e-Niro review

Nissan Leaf reviews

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Hi Patrick,

I think if you’re buying new then diesel is still a safe enough bet for the moment. Yes, doubtless, there will be some future restrictions on diesel, either through tax, or tolls, or city centre usage restriction, but as long as the diesel engine in question is the most modern type possible, conforming to the latest Euro6d Temp regulations (as does that of the Mazda6) then it should be fine. If you’re a low-miles driver, and someone who mostly drives in town, then obviously it’s well worth considering a hybrid alternative or, for that matter, Mazda’s rather excellent 2.0-litre petrol engine.

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Hi David,

It’s a tricky one. As a fellow bad back sufferer, I know the pain (literally) of sitting for too long on the wrong car seat, but the problem is it’s a case of one man’s meat is another’s poison. I, personally, find the seats in the Civic absolutely fine. You may, or may not — the only thing I can suggest is to ask your local Honda dealer for as long a test drive as possible, explaining the reason why you need it. Alternatively, you could always fit the utterly brilliant bucket seats from the Civic Type R as an aftermarket extra...

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Hi John,

For the moment, it seems it’s status quo ante at Mercedes for 191. The nine per cent discount on prices, which as you point out was introduced some time ago, basically carries over to the new price lists. Those lists were slightly late in being published, owing to delays in getting cars through the new WLTP-based fuel economy and emissions tests, but they are available now, so dealers should at least be a little more clued up. There are no specific 191 offers available as yet, but we’ll keep an eye out for any that show up.

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Hi Richard,

Yes, you must have either the Vehicle Registration Book, Registration Certificate or Licensing Certificate for the car with you at the NCT centre.

Also, in case you didn't know, the person submitting the car for inspection must have identification with them, even if it's not the owner of the car.

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Hi Arjun,

OK, let’s take these questions in order.

1: The BMW. The Honda runs it surprisingly close, but you just can’t beat the steering and rear-wheel-drive balance of the BMW.

2: How do you mean fast? They’re not performance models, but thanks to turbocharged engines with decent torque curves, they feel brisk enough in everyday driving. As long as you’re not planning to take on any Ferraris at the traffic lights, they’ll do.

3 & 4 together: The Honda. Nothing is as reliable as a Honda, not even a Toyota, and of the three cars here, while it may lack the premium badge, it also has the roomiest interior, will have slightly lower servicing and maintenance costs and, in the long term, should be more reliable than either of the German cars.

Read our reviews for more:

Audi A3 reviews

BMW 3 Series reviews

Honda Civic reviews

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Hi David,