Hi Michelle,

If you drive mainly in the city, definitely go for the petrol – otherwise, you’ll get a clogged Diesel Particulate Filter if you’re only conducting short, low-speed journeys with the car’s engine mainly operating outside its optimum range, and that’s a pricey fix. The general rule of thumb in petrol v diesel is ‘will I do more than 20,000km per annum?’. If yes, go diesel, because the only way you’ll do 20,000km per annum in Ireland is by regularly doing long motorway and fast-road journeys.

Secondly, when it comes to used cars, if you can afford it then newer is generally better. You should get some early Mk2 Qashqais on the 141 plate, but the 151 will be the preferable option, unless there’s a big price disparity going for the 141 version.

And finally, that car with the mileage discrepancy is one to walk away from. You’ve done the checks and it has highlighted that the genuine mileage appears to be a lot more than what is shown on the car, so there is something suspicious happening here. It’s not like the Qashqai is a rare car, either – there will be masses of alternative examples of the Nissan that you can safely buy instead.