Is it worth buying this 2007 Audi?
Is it worth buying a 2007 Audi A4 Sport 1.6 petrol for €3,200 with 113,360 miles on the clock?
Adam Humphreys (Ireland )Apr 2025 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Adam,
That doesn't seem like very high mileage for the year, so maybe get a history check on the car to look into that, and ask for as detailed a service history as possible as well.
Our top tip for buying used cars is to test drive as many examples of the car from other sellers as possible so you get a feel for which is a good one.
As with any used car, check it drives well, there are no warning lights on when it is up and running and try to get a look underneath to make sure there's nothing drastically wrong.
Ideally a mechanic you trust would take a look at it for you, but I guess you can't expect perfection from a 2007 car.
The price sounds ok rather than amazing, but if the condition and history are good then it's probably worth it.
Which auto SUV for up to €35,000?
Hi,
Can I ask which vehicle you would choose from the following: Hyundai Kona 1.6 Hybrid Excellence or the new MG ZS Hybrid+. I want a reliable SUV with good power, automatic and all the mod cons with a budget of €35k for new.
Also, is it crazy to buy new or would I be better off buying from the following list even if it was 2-3 years old instead: Skoda Karoq Style or Sportline, SEAT Ateca, Cupra Formentor?
Thanks for the advice
Lorraine Rynne (Miltown Malbay)Nov 2024 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Lorraine,
The MG is certainly worth a look as it's exceptionally good value and also quite a spacious car. The Hyundai is perhaps a better-known quantity with a wider dealer network, but MG offers a great new-car warranty as well so don't be put off by that. If you're tempted by all the mod cons for that price I expect the MG might win for you, though make sure you go drive both for yourself to see which you prefer.
Buying new suits some people and not others. If you're buying with finance then it works well, and there's nothing quite like that new-car feel either. But others don't want to pay for the early years of depreciation that a new car comes with.
Of the used cars you mentioned, the Karoq and Ateca were never offered as hybrids. The Formentor was available as a plug-in hybrid if you'd consider that. It's a lovely car for sure.
What to replace my Skoda Superb with?
Hi all,
I drive a 2016 Skoda Superb 2.0 diesel 150hp DSG hatch and would like to change as the mileage is now approaching 250,000km. I drive about 50,000km per annum of which two thirds is motorway. I have a fuel card so mpg is not a concern, more depreciation and service costs.
I am considering the following:
1. One-year-old Superb (similar spec) approx €45k
2. A new-model Superb (available July) approx €53k
3. An imported two-year-old 5 Series Touring (530e or 520d) approx €46k
Which would you recommend?
Many thanks
Michael (Clare)
Michael Sweeney (Tulla)Apr 2024 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
I'd certainly suggest sticking with diesel given your driving profile so that easily rules out the 530e. Then things are not so clear cut.
There's a huge difference in price between the two used cars you're considering and the new Superb, which makes me wonder what you'd get in the used market for that same €53k (assuming you're buying outright, not on finance of course).
The used cars will have depreciated a little already of course, while the new one will depreciate more, relatively speaking, in its time owned by you. That's the sensible way of thinking, but there's nothing quite like a new car, either so only you can choose that.
Both the Superb and the 520d Touring are great cars, both similarly economical and comfortable, though the Skoda has the edge in terms of rear-seat space. The BMW is a little better to drive by way of compensation.
There's no right or wrong answer, in effect. I highly recommend you go and test drive as many representative cars as you can before you make the decision.
Looking to buy a 2015 Hyundai ix35...
Hi
I'm going to buy a 2015 Hyundai ix35 1.7 diesel SE Nav 116hp (72k on the clock). I was wondering if it had a timing belt or chain. Also if there is anything I need to look at when viewing?
Many thanks in advance
William Morgan (Bradford)Mar 2024 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi William,
That engine uses a timing chain.
As for things to watch for, there are a few known things:
- Make sure all the doors lock and unlock correctly as the internal mechanism can fail and need replacing
- Ensure you can press the clutch pedal properly and it returns to expected position as issues with the pedal itself and the clutch master cylinder can occur - can mean it's difficult to engage gears too
- If you see the instruments flickering or dropping back to the off position while driving it could mean a new instrument panel is needed
- The gearbox's sensor for it being in neutral can cause starting problems and an issue with the start-stop system so watch out for that - often accompanied by an oil leak from the gearbox
Otherwise it's quite a reliable car. As with all used cars, we'd recommend you drive a few different examples of the same car to get a feel for how it should drive, ask for a detailed service history and make sure you take a proper test drive including some motorway driving.
How to sell our second car safely?
We used to be a two-car household, but COVID has changed that as we both now are working from home. We’ve come to the point where we’re satisfied we could easily get along with just the one car and we’ve made a decision to sell our second car privately.
But how do we do that? We tried selling a car 10 years ago by placing an ad, but all we got was two replies, one really abusive and the other we quickly realised was a scammer. So what options for privately selling are there?
Martin (Meath)Aug 2022 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
It's true, selling a car privately can be hassle. Selling it to someone you know, or a friend of a friend would be ideal and actually probably quite possible today as there is such high demand for good used cars. For the same reason, you're likely to get loads of genuine enquiries to a classifieds advert. We'd recommend using Carzone.ie. It has a useful How to Sell a Used Car Safely guide, too.
Trade-in value of my BMW X1?
I have a 171 BMW X1 18d xLine manual, with about 90k on the clock. It’s in good condition, no known faults/issues, full main dealer BMW service history, sunroof and metallic paint. If I was to trade in with the same dealer I bought it from and service it with, against a BMW i4, what trade in value should I be aiming for?
Martin (Meath)Mar 2022 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
That's trickier than ever to predict right now as prices of used cars have gone through the roof. A dealer would likely try to sell that car for around the €29,000 mark, which means they'd offer you a few grand less as a trade-in.
Do yourself a big favour though: get offers from several different dealers, as the price will vary.
Let us know how you get on so we can pass the knowledge onto other readers.
The BMW i4 is a great choice by the way!
I have a unique import question from NI!
I have a two-part question. Can you offer clarification on the distinction between registering a car vs importing a car to NI/ROI after the Brexit cut-off date? Back story: I have a GB reg car and I've been the registered keeper of it for more than two years. I took it to NI in Sep 2020, before the Brexit cut off date of 1 Jan 2021. However, it has still been registered at a GB address, whilst I move between the two countries. I am now ready to register the car in NI at a permanent address.
1) Are there UK custom duties and VAT now attached to this if I register it in NI? Or because the car was taken (can I say imported?) to NI before the cut off date - just not registered - is the process the same pre-Brexit? It is still registered at an English address. I would specifically like to check if registering the vehicle in NI before the cut off date was necessary to avoid the extra UK import fees due to Brexit?
2) When I subsequently move to the ROI, will the car be subjected to Irish Customs Duty, VAT and VRT? I keep reading used cars from Northern Ireland will not be subjected to the new customs/VAT fees but I'm not sure if this is applicable to the car detailed above. Revenue.ie state: "You can register a vehicle registered before 1 January 2021 without any checks on the customs status if it was registered: i) in Northern Ireland or ii) to a person resident in Northern Ireland". So whilst it wasn't registered in Northern Ireland, it was registered to a person with an address in Northern Ireland before the cut off date.
Any information is gratefully received.
Cheers
Caroline Ponsonby (Lisburn)Mar 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Caroline,
Right, this is a bit of a tricky one. The good news, first off, is that there’s no issue with moving a car between England and Northern Ireland — no duties nor VAT to pay, all you have to do is inform the DVLA of the change of address.
Bringing that car south might then represent a difficulty, but it will depend on how long you wait between your registering the car in the North and bringing it south. Technically, Revenue have told us that there is no specific timeline when it comes to having a car registered in Northern Ireland and not having to pay import duty and VAT when importing that car into the Republic. However, they have also said that they will be carefully monitoring the paper trail of each car to ensure that no-one is trying to game the system. If there’s only going to be a short gap between you registering the car in the North and then importing it into the South, that could get antennae twitching at Revenue, even if you’re technically above board.
Is motor tax different for rarely used cars?
Is there a different tax bracket for rarely used cars?
Ol Mallun (Meath)Feb 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Ol,
No, sadly not. The only way you can reduce the tax cost of your car depending on use is to apply for a SORN declaration that the vehicle is off the road for a period of time. The minimum period is three months, and the maximum is a year, although you can have the declaration continued if needed.
Where to buy a used Nissan Qashqai?
I'm looking to buy a used Nissan Qashqai automatic car in the next year (three or four years old). I've been looking on Carzone, etc. and I can't find many stock from the dealers. Are there any auto dealers in Dublin or the Leinster area that would definitely be worth a visit? Also, is it worth importing from Northern Ireland and saving the money? If yes, please provide any dealers in NI too. I've very poor knowledge in searching for cars.
Thanks
Striker10 Striker10 (Castleknock)Nov 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi there,
Should I go for a BMW 530d?
I am looking at 2017 BMW 5 Series. Is it worth spending the extra on a 530d over 520d? There is about €8-10k difference on used cars. I do about 25,000km a year of driving. I would love the extra power but do wonder if it is a waste to spend more.
Andy Kelly (Limerick)Mar 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Andy,
It’s not a waste, as such, but you do need to balance out whether or not it’s worth the extra cash to you. Yes, the 530d has a lot more power and torque, and is smoother than the four-cylinder 520d from a refinement point of view. Balanced against that, the 520d will easily beat the 55mpg mark every day, while the 530d will struggle to do better than around 45mpg, and you’ll be paying a bit more motor tax every year too. So, while we love the 530d, and its six-cylinder smoothness, the head clearly says buy a 520d.