Less costly car? A Focus in UK? Need to cut cost? Dream car? Learner buy?

Aidan Timmons and Motoring Editor Eddie Cunningham team up to help readers make the right choice with their next car. Aidan visits dealers all over the country to produce a monthly guidebook on the values of used cars. He is co-editor of Motor Trade Publi

I’m driving a 2004 1.6 petrol 3dr Audi A3. I’ve had it five years. It’s starting to cost in repairs. Bought it with 85,000 miles and have put on only 25,000. Just moved to a more rural location so mileage will increase. Looking for something bigger, with room for 2-3 dogs in the back, that is cheaper to tax (currently €514/ yr) and run. Budget including trade-in: €12,500-€15,000. I’d like five seats/four doors. Would look at small van-type, options like Transit Connect or 4x4 like RAV4. A good, rugged estate would be best. I like the Subaru estates but they seem to be high tax bracket? Looking for something that can handle a winter in a more rugged environment.

Aidan: I think your money would go a long way in a Ford Kuga. The last of the old models from 2012 are on budget and came nicely kitted in Zetec trim. Ford’s two-litre diesel is arguably the pick of its bunch so you will reduce your tax and fuel bills significantly. Look out for models listed ‘Kuga CV’ and ‘Four Seat’. This might be ideal for you as there are two foldable rear seats that accommodate passengers should you require it. However, if you are not VAT registered, you effectively kill the VAT trail on the commercial vehicle, so you might be a little more hamstrung when you sell the car again. The Skoda Octavia Combi is also worth pursuing and you should have good choice. It has a capacious boot and is cheap to run. You will mostly find 1.6-litre diesel Octavia Ambition models. The top end of your budget will buy you a newer-shape 2014-plate model. Remember, your dogs need to be restrained safely and legally.

Eddie: I warned about dog restraint recently. Aidan’s suggestions ring true. I think looking at a Subaru estate would be a good thing – so long as it has the new diesel engine. But I feel a Dacia Duster, of recent vintage, would suit you best. Well priced to buy, good at holding value and decent room for you and your dogs. It would be my choice.

I am looking at buying a 2015 Ford Focus in England. It is a 1.6 Zetec diesel with 16,000 miles. Any advice on what to avoid or expect to pay? Does it sound like a good purchase at around €10,000?

Aidan: Eddie and I tell anyone thinking of buying abroad to have their wits about them. If the deal looks too good to be true, then it probably is. Don’t concentrate solely on the initial purchase price; ensure you calculate your entire cost of importing including flights, return ferry, food, VRT, licence plates, motor tax and your time. Have you paid for a vehicle history report? Remember you have no comeback if anything goes wrong. Once you have done all of that you’ll be better positioned to make your decision.

Eddie: Don’t know why but the mileage makes me suspicious so I’d urge you to get it checked out. Any of the car history companies will do it for a small fee. If it checks out good luck with it.

I am looking for help in selling my Toyota RAV4, 2011, 133,000km, diesel, manual, 2.2 litre. I bought it secondhand in 2014 for €24,000 when I was working full time and on a good wage. Unfortunately my circumstances have changed dramatically and I won’t be able to pay the road tax (€570) or car insurance (€780) next February. It is also way too big for me now and I do not do the mileage I used to. I do not have any car knowledge and no support in seeking how to go about this. I went back to the Toyota dealer I bought it from and he offered me €12,000.00, I nearly cried and felt foolish as I did not know the questions to ask. I felt he really wanted it back as he kept saying the RAV4 is a great vehicle. I am hoping to get a loan of €2,000 to trade in the RAV and get a car that is solid on the road and has low road tax. What do you recommend?

Aidan: You have your car nearly four years so losing €12,000 in that time is €3,000 a year. That seems reasonable. I think the dealer is being fair. Go back and see what they have in terms of a Corolla or Auris 1.4-litre diesel. You want something with low mileage, a comprehensive service record, and a bit of warranty. Explain your situation. Ask for, and I quote, “the cleanest, happiest story diesel Auris” they know about. That will get the dealer’s creative juices flowing and he/she will know what to do. Sometimes an honest conversation can go a long way.

Eddie: Aidan has said exactly what I feel. Get yourself into a decent Corolla or Auris diesel. I hope things improve for you.

Budget: €40k. No trade in. Annual mileage: 10,000km. Size of car required (number of seats): two – four seats. I’ll be 40 next year and looking to treat myself to a new car. It won’t be used as my daily commuter as I have a 2008 Toyota Avensis 2.0 D4D. Instead, it will be used at weekends and the odd week day by my wife. It will replace our current second car. For the past 10 years we’ve clocked up about 10k/year on the second car. We really like the Mercedes brand and, in particular, the CLS 220. The UK seems to have a lot more choice, so I’m thinking I may be able to pick up a 2016 model next summer within my €40k budget? Any common issues or faults I should watch out for with the CLS 220? Once the warranty has expired, I’d like to do most of the maintenance (oil change, brake pads etc) myself like I’ve done for the Avensis. Is it likely something I can continue to do with a modern Mercedes?

Aidan: I have no way of determining your competence with servicing a Mercedes but if I was spending €40,000, I would earmark a few euro every year to get it looked after professionally if for no other reason than it offers recourse in the case of any accidents. I also think that I would feel weird leaving behind a €40,000 car in favour of a nearly 10-year-old Avensis. As for importing the car, there is a ready-made answer in another question this week and the same rules apply. Honestly, I reckon you would do well to go back to the drawing board. What happens if your Avensis develops something terminal in the near-term and you have blown all your money on an import that also needs more work than you initially envisaged and/ or are capable of handling? My advice: buy yourself something nice for commuting. A CLS is a fine choice but I’d have a more upto-date E-Class with that money. Flog the Avensis and get a petrol MINI Cooper S as the second car.

Eddie: We don’t wish to be party poopers but the facts are you are getting a bit carried away with your ‘dream’ car. It is our job to help you protect your money. I’d compromise. Why not buy a lovely Mercedes C-Class saloon for half or three-quarters of the €40,000? You could certainly commute in the C-Class if you had to. I’d sell the Avensis and get myself a really well-specced Toyota Auris. That way you have a posh car and a smart practical car. Sorry to burst your bubble but that’s my call. Let us know what you decide.

I have a 07 Toyota Corolla Verso Luna with 160km bought new. I have a budget of €12k-€15k, including whatever I get for the Toyota. Annual mileage is now 12k pa. I have two teenagers and one will be learning to drive next year so am looking for maybe a 1.4 petrol – I like the Audi A3 or a Golf. I love the Volvo V40 but am unsure about 1.6 diesel and feel it’s a bit small in the back and boot. Am wondering about buying from GB or the North. Can you lead me in the right direction?

Aidan: I encourage you to pricecheck the insurance market. Dare I say it again this week but a petrol Auris could be the easiest solution here. You might fare better by sticking with the same brand with your trade-in. You will get a 1.33-litre Luna model Auris. Typically, the VW Golf is ageing brilliantly. The upper end of your budget will buy you a new-shape 1.2-litre TSi Comfortline model (also displayed as CL). Either would be a nice transition from your Verso and a great entry to motoring for your teenager.

Eddie: It’s simple for me. Buy an Auris seeing as you have a Toyota. Or buy a 1.2-litre Golf or Ford Focus because there is such choice due to a combined 10,000 of the two cars being imported so far this year.