Recommend a post 08 petrol car

[dergside]

Interesting one there Eamo. Choices in this country will be limited because of the dreaded CO2 based VRT and the mass exodus to diesel. On that basis, and on the assumption that you wouldn't have objections to a trip across the sea, there are a few obvious suggestions. VRT may not be your friend in getting any of them home because of rate rather than value. I'm assuming that you probably don't want road tax of greater than the €390 (sub 156g/km) you've mentioned and something in the 2008-2011 range of years. The newer, the more likely you will be to get more modest CO2, as the EU5 capable models started appearing from 2009.

Some ideas:

BMW 116i - e87
Ford Focus 1.6 - '11 model - pre '11 shape in higher CO2 category.
Honda Civic 1.8 vtec - need to be cautious as 2008-ish can be either side of 155g/km depending on model.
Mini Countryman (2wd) - Cooper, not S.
Kia Sportage ('10 on)
Nissan Juke and Quaskai (can't spell it as I've never had the slightest interest in one )
Toyota Avensis - '09 on

Not sure if this helps........