Expert answer

Hi Frank,

It's a totally different car - the Auris is a size bigger than either Fiesta or Polo, and much more spacious and refined than either. More expensive to buy, of course, as a result, but a good choice for those looking for pain-free, reliable motoring.

Relevant reviews:

Ford Fiesta review

Volkswagen Polo review

Toyota Auris review

Expert answer

Hi Mossie,

Assuming you mean the 1.25-litre petrol model, then yes, it has a timing belt and Ford recommends you change it every 100,000 miles (160,000km) or every 10 years.

Expert answer

Hi Aoife,

I'd say you're just on the cusp of needing the diesel. It's probably down to what kind of mileage you do. If most of that 15,000km is driven on motorways or main roads then you could be just as well sticking with diesel. If you're mostly in town and suburbs, then it could be worth having a look at petrol.

Further reading:

Ford Fiesta review (1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol)

Expert answer

Hi Evan,

We haven't heard of any major issues but with a 12-year old car you can never be too careful. What does break on Fiestas of this age, petrol or diesel, is the water pump so listen for creaks and groans from the engine at tickover and make sure the engine doesn't overheat at idle with the car's heating turned off.

Check for damp carpets (the cause is usually leaky pollen filters) and make sure the steering is light, accurate and direct - slack or poor response is the sign of a rack on the way out.

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

Sort of. Ford currently has a special offer, dubbed Ford Swappage, in play for 151 registrations. Basically, if you trade in a car up to ten years old against a new Fiesta, Focus, B-Max, C-Max or Kuga, then Ford will give you a bonus of €1,500 on top of the normal trade-in value of your vehicle. In other words, if your car is worth €5,000 as a trade-in, Ford will give you €6,500 for it.

There are some terms and conditions of course. The car being traded in must be taxed, insured and have a current NCT ticket and the offer is currently set to run out at the end of this month. It's also only available to individual, private customers not those buying for fleets.

Expert answer

Hi Morag,

Ford recommends changing the timing belt on that car at least every 160,000km or every eight years. Because of the latter, if you've never had it done, we'd strongly recommend you do so soon.

Expert answer

Hi Pauline,

At that age, I'd put the Fiesta ahead of the Hyundai. It's better to drive by far, better looking too and barely any less well made or reliable. True, the Hyundai has that long warranty, but at four years old that's coming to an end, so the balance swings back to the Ford. Get the brilliant 1.25-litre petrol engine and I don't think you'll go too far wrong. Lots out there to choose from so be picky when it comes to history, condition and price.

The end of December is the quietest for used car sales in dealers so you could strike a good bargain if you go in there with a cash offer ready to drive away. The New Year could be a bit busier if you're buying through a franchise that also sells new cars.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi Irvin,

Well, it kind of depends what you want and what you need. These are two very different cars, so it's a little tricky to compare them directly. The Audi is stylish, comfy, refined and reasonably spacious, and of course comes pre-loaded with buckets of premium appeal. The Fiesta is, by contrast, rather more cheap and cheerful, but it's utterly brilliant to drive and, with that 1.4-litre diesel, should cost little more than buttons to run.

So, as I say, it depends what you need. Want space and premium appeal? Get the Audi. Want cheap running costs and a pin-sharp driving experience? Get the Fiesta.

Let us know which way you go

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

Right, obviously it's always a bit of a scare when you slip on the road and damage your car, and it's natural for the reaction to be "I'd better get a 4x4." Hang on though, because there are 4x4s and 4x4s... First off, the Tuscon. According to the official figures, the 2.0-litre diesel 4x4 Tuscon does 39mpg while the 2.0-litre petrol model does 35mpg. We'd bet that you'll struggle to match those figures on the road and will instead get around 30mpg on average. Also, 4x4 Tuscons are a little tricky to track down in Ireland.

So, as an alternative, why not consider a Skoda Octavia 4x4? You know you like the car, the all-wheel drive system is just as good at finding traction as any big SUV's and the lower, lighter body means you won't pay as heavy a fuel consumption penalty. We've found one for sale on Carzone for just over €10k, so they're not even too expensive.

Worth a look, at any rate.

Expert answer

Hi Tony,

There are some nice Ford Fiesta automatics around, usually with the 1.4-litre petrol engine that should fit your needs rather nicely.  Or better yet, what about a Honda Jazz 1.4 ES with the CVT automatic gearbox? We found one online for just over €16k and it's a cracking car - high quality, reliable, spacious and with a terrific 1.4-litre engine.

Let us know what you think