CompleteCar
Ask Us Anything

To help readers get the most out of this free service, we ask those that wish to submit a question to first register their details using the registration form.

Thank you



Previously answered questions

Do I have to display N plates again?

I passed a driving test a number of years ago but allowed my two-year certificate of competency to expire and have to resit my driving test. On passing test again do I have to display N plates for two years again?

Adam F (Co Galway)

Dec 2020 Filed under: learner

Read our answer...


Can a learner drive a 1.7-litre car?

Can someone on a learner permit drive a 1.7-litre car?

Maria Kealy (Kilkenny)

Apr 2019 Filed under: learner

Read our answer...


Do UK driving lessons count in Ireland?

I have just returned from the UK and I have had circa 30 hours driving lessons altogether. I cannot afford to take a further 12 lessons. Is there any way around this?

John

John Bowen (Cork)

Jan 2013 Filed under: learner

Read our answer...


How much to spend on first car?

How much should I spend on my first car? Thinking of a Nissan Micra.

Kat Fahy (Galway)

May 2013 Filed under: learner

Read our answer...


What'll I buy as my first car, for €10,000?

Hi folks,

I'll be buying my first car in a few weeks. Ideally I'd like to find something under €10,000. Just something reliable to get me to and from work, preferably in a low tax band and will keep insurance costs as low as possible (22-year old male). Any advice?

Also, if I'm paying in cash can I expect to get a discount on the asking price in a dealership? If so, roughly what percentage could I hope for?

Thanks in advance, Rob

Rob Henry (Dublin)

May 2016 Filed under: learner

Read our answer...


Is an older Golf a good first car?

Hi,

I'm buying my first car and need some advice on what I should get. My budget is about €3,500 and I'm looking for a car with a 1.2- to 1.4-litre engine. At the moment a 10-year old Golf seems like the most reliable option.

Thanks, Conor

Conor Quinn (Dalkey)

Apr 2016 Filed under: learner

Read our answer...


Is it illegal to display an L plate when no learner driving?!

Is displaying an L plate when learner driver not in the car against the law??

I was stopped at a check-point a few days ago. As I was displaying an L plate the Garda asked was I a learner. I said no, it was for my daughter who was not in the car. He asked again why I had an L plate up. I explained again. He said it is against the law to display an L plate if I am not a learner. Asking if he was joking, he got annoyed. I asked if that meant every time she got into or out of car I had to put up/take down L plates. He said yes.

Completely impractical but can you confirm this?

Ruth Lavelle, Monaghan

Ruth Lavelle (Monaghan)

Sep 2015 Filed under: learner

Read our answer...


As a first car should I get an Opel Corsa or Toyota Corolla?

Hi, I am just about to buy my first car and I just want to make the right decision. My choices are a 2008 Opel Corsa (1.2 petrol) with 150,000km or a 2006 Toyota Corolla (1.4 petrol) with 100,000km. Both are going for around €4,800. Currently I am leaning towards the Toyota.

Caoimhe Brady (Cavan)

May 2015 Filed under: learner

Read our answer...


What engine size for a first car?

What should be the maximum engine size for a 17-year-old buying a first car?

S D (Dublin)

Feb 2015 Filed under: learner

Read our answer...


What's a good automatic car for a learner driver?

I have just moved back to ireland after living abroad, for 10 years of which I was driving an automatic - now I'm having to start the process from the beginning atin - theory test etc. What car should I get? Is it possible to take the driving test with an automatic car as I'd prefer? What would be the cheapest and most reliable automatic?

Cheers

Roland Hempel (Dublin)

Sep 2014 Filed under: learner

Read our answer...


4,972 Irish motoring queries answered to date

On CompleteCar.ie there is no such thing as a silly question. No matter how small or complicated an issue seems, we'll do our best to help. Our experts will quickly answer your queries in a friendly and jargon-free manner.

Please remember that we offer advice, not gospel. We cannot be held responsible for recalls, a second hand car's history, 'acts of God', changes in car pricing or Government policy. We are here to help and offer independent, impartial and free advice. What you do with it is entirely up to you.

By submitting a question you are agreeing to this statement. Thank you.

CompleteCar.ie aims to be compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), implemented on 25 May, 2018. At no stage shall we contact you without your express permission (by entering your email address, you are consenting for us to send you emails relating directly to your question).

Your data will never be shared with a third party and it is kept in a secure database on our servers, with limited personnel access.

You have the right to have your data deleted at any time and also to get a copy of your data on file. For any related queries, please send us a message using the form on the Who we are page.