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Hi Bernard,

An individual injector is going to cost in and around the €170 mark, depending on where you source it from. After that, it’s down to the garage you bring it to and what kind of labour rates they charge.

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Hi Michael,

This question arrives at a timely moment as I've just stepped out of a brand new Polo 1.4 TSI test car. I'd have to say that it's a long, long, loooooong way ahead of a 2000 model year Polo, fine car though that was at the time. I had always felt that the Polo was a little bit of the also-ran of the Volkswagen range, but I think that this latest round of updates, especially on the inside, finally make it feel like the mini-Golf it always should have been.

It's nice to drive, comfy and that 1.4 turbo petrol engine is a gem, giving almost-diesel-like economy but proving revvy and willing when you want to get going. A far cry from the too-sluggish 1.2 petrol Polos of old. So, yes, upgrade - my take is that it's well worth it.

Here's our first drive of the new Volkswagen Polo for reference

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Hi Susan,

For your budget, you could consider an Audi A3 1.9 TDI five-door. Classy, good to drive and very economical. Perhaps not the most spacious car in the world in the back and boot, but it will take a buggy.

Or, how about a car based on the same mechanical package as the A3, but with the boot space to be able to handle a whole creche's worth of kiddy clobber? I speak of course of the Skoda Octavia. A brilliant car, with tonnes of space, and your budget would get you a 2008 model with the 1.9 TDI diesel engine in range-topping 'Elegance' trim. So, comfy then.

Skoda not your thing? Want something classier? I have just the thing... How about a 2008 Volvo V50 estate with the 1.6-litre diesel engine? An easy 50mpg, family practicality thanks to the estate body and your mind will be forever at ease on the safety front.

What do you think?

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Hi Martin,

I'm afraid not. Land Rover Ireland won't disclose the figures as yet...

Here's the full story otherwise in case you missed it.

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Hi Marcus,

No, but we can work out a rough figure for you. The 2006 320d had a quoted combined figure of 5.7 litres per 100km (about 50mpg). Now, we know that official fuel consumption figures are basically rubbish so let’s be on the pessimistic side – the urban consumption figure was 7.8 litres/100km so let’s split the difference and say 6.8 litres/100km as the halfway point. On your 80km per day, therefore, you’re going to nominally get through about 5.4 litres of fuel per day. That works out at 37.8 litres per week, which at the current average price per litre of diesel comes to €42.90 per week.

Now, that’s an estimated figure, and everything from the traffic levels, to the type of road you use to your own driving style to how much weight you’re carrying in the car to the condition of your engine and your tyres to whether you use the air conditioning or not and so many more variables will have an effect on that figure, so consider it ballpark only.

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Hi John,

Yes, by and large Golfs are well enough built to withstand years of abuse, but then this is an older car so there are some areas to check...

Make sure the cambelt has been changed, check that the water pump is working (quick warm up from cold, but no issues with holding the temperature at idle), listen for noises from both the front suspension and steering, check that the air conditioning (if fitted) is working OK and make sure that the gearbox (manual or auto) is shifting cleanly.

Oh and avoid the FSI petrol model - they don't like regular 95RON unleaded petrol.

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Hi William,

Both of those are really good options, but with that budget there are some others worth considering. Given your low mileage, you might want to take a look at (shock, horror) some petrol alternatives. Both the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage are plentiful on the second-hand ground with petrol engines and they're well worth considering.

From personal family experience, I can tell you that a CR-V with the 2.0-litre VTEC petrol engine gets a sold 38mpg in daily use and has been close to faultlessly reliable. Or, if you need an occasional seven-seater, the second-generation Hyundai Santa Fe falls within your budget and is a cracking car, well worth a look.

What do you think?

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Hi John,

All are pretty good and I have to admit to having thrown some covetous glances myself at second-gen Ford Mondeos lately - that's a shape that has aged really, really well. That said, from the ones you've selected there, I'd go for the Mazda. It has terrific handling (best in the class for that time, actually) and should be very reliable so it's definitely the one to pick.

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Hi Dave,

Oil is the key here. Honda's first-ever diesel engine, the 2.2 i-CDTI unit fitted to the Accord, has always been a cracker - smooth, silent and powerful, but it needs a regular dose of high-grade oil and the problem here is that there's no warning light on the dashboard to tell you that the oil level is dropping. There is a conventional oil pressure light, but if that starts flashing it may already be too late. So, check that the engine is running smoothly and not spewing out clouds of dirty smoke and then check the oil level to make sure it's not down at the bottom of the dipstick. Then get used to checking it yourself, regularly.

Hondas of course have a tremendous reputation for reliability and being beautifully built and the Accord is no exception. There is one minor wrinkle though and it involves the engine's dual-mass flywheel. We've heard plenty of horror stories about the flywheel giving trouble. Excess noise, a slipping clutch or even the car popping out of gear can all be signs that the flywheel is giving gyp. Now, we have heard from various sources that this is an issue for the Accord and the 2.2 diesel engine, but in fairness, when we raised it with Honda Ireland, they told us that it has seen no pattern of issues, and its warranty claims don't show up any persistent problems.

Probably still worth taking your time to check though.

Expert answer

Hi Paudie,

OK, you need to sit down with your PCP provider and find out exactly where you stand. PCPs are not all the same - some allow you to use the equity built up over and above the minimum agreed used value (assuming there is any) to act as your deposit for the next car, others require you to save for the next deposit while paying the repayments on the existing car. You need to find out exactly what your plan allows you to do. 

It would also be well worth your while shopping around a bit. If the dealer you bought the car from isn't willing to give you a decent exit from the PCP to move you to a van, try somewhere else. Plenty of van makers have plenty of special offers and deals going and you may well be able to get yourself into a better situation elsewhere. Ring around, walk around and ask around would be my advice.

Please do let us know how you get on