Expert answer

Hi Asif,

It depends on which engine it has.

Cambelts: 1.6 TDI, 1.6 non-turbo petrol, 2.0 TDI

Timing chains: 1.2 TSI, 1.4 TFSI, 1.8 TFSI, 2.0 TFSI

Expert answer

Hi Fergal,

Sadly, for all us Mondeo fans, it will die in its current form soon (most likely in the next 18 months or so). Now, it will be replaced, but most likely not by another saloon, but a crossover of some description instead, sitting above the Kuga in the current Ford range, and likely with a seven-seat option. 

Happily, there are still a few proper, full-sized four-door saloons around for you to choose from, and they’re good ‘uns. Our list starts with the Skoda Superb (massive inside, smooth to drive, handsome to look at and really good quality) and the VW Passat (all of the above but not quite so big inside). The Mazda6 is a big favourite of ours, too, not least because it’s so engaging to drive, and has such high quality and reliability levels, but Mazda is dropping the diesel engine option, so you might want to snap one up soon, before they’re all gone.

If you fancied going down the hybrid route, then Toyota’s excellent Camry is well worth a look, and there’s the Opel Insignia (probably one of the most underrated cars on the market) to consider too. If you fancy something a little moore stylish, check out the very slinky Peugeot 508. 

You could go up a grade, as you suggest, to the likes of a BMW 3 Series or Audi A4, but the problem is you need to spend a LOT extra to get one with decent spec, so our recommendation would  be to stick with one of the mainstream brands.

Here are our relevant reviews to help you decide:

Skoda Superb reviews

Volkswagen Passat reviews

Mazda6 reviews

Toyota Camry reviews

Peugeot 508 reviews

Opel Insignia reviews

BMW 3 Series reviews

Audi A4 reviews

Expert answer

Hi Terence,

It's not entirely clear as yet, as Audi has not published its new pricing, and doesn't appear to have changed its online pricing since the VAT reduction last month. 

Taking the Audi A6 40 TDI S line S tronic as an example: it's listed as €56,065 as of Jan 2020.

The NOx figure for that car is 41.9mg/km, so the NOx levy right now, within that price, is €5 x 41.9 = €209.

So, the price of the car including VAT and VRT, but without the NOx levy is €55,855.

Looking at our review of the Audi A6 40 TDI from 2018, the NEDC CO₂ rating appears to be 117g/km, which would mean 17 per cent VRT on the old system.

So, the VRT was €55,855 x 0.17 = €9,495, which makes the price of the car including VAT at €46,360.

Assuming that's at the 23 per cent VAT rate, it's €37,691 before VAT, or €45,606 at the current 21 per cent VAT rate.

So now we have the core cost of the car and can work on a 2021 price estimate.

We need the WLTP CO₂ rating. It varies according to equipment, so let's take the worst case of 158g/km. That places it in the new Band 18 for VRT (see our How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland? feature), at a rate of 26 per cent.

So the estimated cost of the car including VAT and VRT is €45,606 ÷ 0.74 = €61,630

The NOx levy calculation has changed a little as well. It works out as €238 for this car.

Hence, the estimated total retail cost of the car is €61,868 as of 2021.

With a CO₂ rating of 158g/km as used in these calculations, the annual motor tax (see our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature) will be €280.

If I used the minimum CO₂ rating for this model of 145g/km, incidentally, the retail cost comes out as €56,891 so the final price is highly sensitive to that, while the motor tax would drop just €10 per year to €270.

Disclaimer: All of these figures should be taken as estimates only. We have rounded off to Euros throughout and who knows how Audi will adjust its pricing to suit the market rather than just calculate the new tax?

Expert answer

Hi Mike,

The confusion is understandable, as there was a model changeover for the A3 in 2012/2013. The older version's 1.4 TFSI engine used a timing chain, but the 1.4 TFSI engine in the newer car used a timing belt.

Expert answer

Hi Moy,

As long as it comes with a full service history and is in excellent condition, I’d say that’s a fair price, but you could potentially get into a 2008 model if you shop around a bit. As for the acronyms, SE is simply a trim level, and denotes the most basic A4 version, but TYS doesn’t appear in any Audi model lists. Could it be a typo on the advert?

Expert answer

Hi Derek,

It depends on which petrol-engined version of the Audi A1 that you mean. The basic 1.2 TFSI, with 86hp, has CO₂ emissions of 118g/km, so will cost €200 a year to tax. The 122hp 1.4-litre TFSI has CO₂ emissions of 126g/km, so will cost €270 a year. Oddly, the more powerful 140hp engine is rated at between 109g/km and 113g/km, so will cost between €190 and €200 a year. 

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

OK, we’re not 100 per cent sure of the NOx figure for that A4 (ultimately, it should be on the Certificate of Conformity), but we think it’s officially 62mg/km, which would give you a VRT rating of around €3,500 — that of course is dependent on the specific vehicle and specification. 

Expert answer

Hi Stephen,

If it’s a full LPG conversion — i.e. the entire petrol fuel system has been removed and replaced — then there may be some way of applying for a lower VRT rate. Revenue doesn’t currently allow for LPG in its NOx ratings, and the likelihood is that if the car is still capable of running on petrol, then it will still be charged at the normal rate.

The really tricky part is the acceptance of the figures. In theory, Revenue will only accept the NOx figure taken from the car’s original Certificate Of Conformity, which obviously won’t cover any later conversions. I think the first thing to do is to get every scrap of papwerwork relating to the LPG conversion, and then have a long chat with your local motor tax office. 

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

I’m afraid this is a bit like asking us how long a piece of string might be… Especially given the current coronavirus crisis. It’s simply impossible for us to tell quite where the car market is going to go in the next while. Broadly speaking, we are moving steadily towards an electric future, and so — yes — diesel values will be under pressure in the coming years. That said, the current crisis might push the market back a little, and it’s possible that for the next little while, people might be more keen to go with something familiar, rather than taking risks on new tech.

Given all of that, and given that you’re looking at a three-year timeline, I think you’d be OK buying a diesel, especially in a premium model like an Audi. While it’s certainly possible that values may not hold up quite as strongly as they have done, it should still be solid enough, and of course you can insulate yourself — to an extent — by buying on a PCP plan with a guaranteed minimum future value.

Expert answer

Hi Shaun,

That engine has a timing belt. It should be changed every 210,000km regardless of time.