The petrol automatic Corolla Cross in Europe usually uses Toyota’s CVT-style automatic rather than a conventional torque-converter box; that gives smooth drives but is less economical than Toyota’s hybrid versions. At three years old the factory warranty will be near expiry for many cars, so check remaining cover; parts and dealer support are widely available in Ireland and resale remains solid for Toyotas.

• CVT behaviour under acceleration — no rubber-band feeling, hesitation or unusual whine; ask for any CVT fluid change history.
• Brakes and suspension — check for uneven wear, creaks or knocking from the front suspension and consistent braking effort.
• Tyre age and wear pattern (including spare) and wheel-alignment signs — small SUVs can show early edge wear if alignment is off.
• ADAS and cameras — verify rear camera, parking sensors, lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise work correctly (software updates can be needed).
• Underside and wheel-arch stone-chip corrosion — inspect sills and rear arches for early salt/stone damage common in Irish roads.