Which 2017 estate to go for?
Hi,
I want to upgrade my old Ford Focus Estate (2005) as it's not very economical. Would like another estate but don't know if I should go for diesel or petrol or a different make of estate. Hoping to purchase a 2017.
Thanks a mill
Margot
Margot O'Leary (KINSALE)Oct 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Margot,
Well, you could go for the alternative option to both — the Toyota Auris Hybrid estate. Lots of space and excellent economy. I’ve put my reputation on the line recommending these to a couple of friends recently and so far, I’ve not been told off for sticking them with a bad car...
Other good alternatives are the Peugeot 308 SW, the Kia Ceed SportWagon, the VW Golf Estate and the Skoda Octavia Combi. The only issue, really, is finding any of these — estate sales in Ireland are so small that you may have to consider an import.
Here are our relevant reviews to help you decide:
Is the new NOX tax in place now?
Has the extra cost of VRT on a diesel car, for example a 2014 Ford Focus 1.6 diesel, been effective since the latest budget?
Shane Mcloughlin (Ballina Co Mayo)Oct 2019 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Shane,
No, not just yet. The new NOx tax (which could add a significant amount of extra cost to importing a car, especially an older one like that 2014 Focus) won’t take effect until the New Year. It will be applied to all new cars and imports from Jan 1st.
What's wrong with my Focus?
My Ford Focus cuts out when driving and there's oil on top of the piston...
Lana Matthews (Folkestone)Sep 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Lana,
I assume a mechanic took a look into the cylinder using a boroscope or similar to confirm that there is oil on the piston. Without knowing any details on your car or the engine, we'd suggest that some serious engine work is required. A good mechanic will advise where to start.
Issue with my new Ford Focus...
Hi there.
I purchased a brand new Ford Focus last week and I have just noticed that the dashboard on the driver's side is not fitted correctly. There is a gap of about 10mm between the windscreen and the top of the dash on the driver's side and the bottom of the side panel of the windscreen is not flush with the dashboard. It appears the dash is not sitting on a mount that I can feel with my finger.
Question is, should I ask garage to refit the dashboard or will this result in other issues of damage and noises in the dash after a refit? So annoyed after spending so much on the car.
Please help
Mark Geoghegan (Mullingar)Aug 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
Your dealer is definitely the starting point here. It is very annoying, I agree, but you'll need to work with them to sort this out. Hopefully there will be no further issues, but of course they are responsible for sorting those as well.
Best of luck.
Can I privately run a commercial car van?
Your article on Commercial Vehicles for private use focuses on large commercial vehicles. In my case, I'm just looking for a very inexpensive car e.g. a 2017 SEAT Ibiza with the back seats removed that is currently classified as a Commercial Vehicle and taxed and registered as such. However, I'm wondering if I could insure, tax and register it as a private vehicle? What would I have to do in order to do so?
Thanks, Maria
Maria De Souza (Dublin)Jul 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Maria,
Basically the same rules apply irrespective of the vehicle itself. If it’s currently registered and taxed as a commercial, then you can indeed tax it as a private vehicle. To do that, you revert to the old by-engine-capacity tax system, which might be bad news depending on which version of the Ibiza we’re talking about. If it has a 1.2-litre engine, you’re fine — you’ll actually pay the same €330 rate as if it were a commercial. If it’s a 1.4, though, then you’ll have to pay €385.
How much is my 2009 Ford Focus worth?
How much is my 2009 Ford Focus 1.8 Ghia with 130,000km on the clock worth?
Declan Wrenn (Dublin)Jul 2019 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Declan,
A lot will depend on condition and history, but it should be worth in the region of €2,500 to €3,500.
How often to service a Ford Focus diesel?
How often do you service a Ford Focus saloon 1.6 diesel?
Joseph Kent (Tipperary )Jun 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Joseph,
You've not told us the year, so, taking the 2014-2015 model as an example, it's every 20,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first.
Just moved to Ireland - need car insurance...
Hello,
I've just moved to Ireland and I will be staying here for about two years, which means I will have to apply for an Irish driving licence. I have a clean Malaysian driving licence, which is five years old. I am 36 years old and female, and I have a car insured in Malaysia that has never gone through any accident claim (knock on wood). I had driven in Malaysia for one year before moving to UK between 2015-2018, and in all those years I only drove when I went home for long holidays.
I have my eyes on a second hand 2012 Ford Focus 1.6 petrol (automatic). I live in a house with two large parking spaces. How much should I expect for first insurance? Or should I just settle on a 2010 1.0 Yaris instead? If I have a budget of €1,200 for first insurance, what's the best car I can get?
Thanks in advance!
Zura Adnan (Cork)Apr 2019 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Zura,
OK, the good news is that you’ve got a clean record and a decent budget. The bad news, I’m afraid, is that an Irish insurer just won’t care about any of that. As far as they’re concerned, you’re starting with a blank slate. Sorry to have to tell you that, but the sad fact is that Irish insurers are incredibly hard to deal with and incredibly expensive on top.
I would think that €1,200 should be enough to cover a Focus 1.6 (especially given that you’re in your mid-thirties, which is considered a safe age), but it could be a safer bet to go for the Yaris, as insurers prefer a 1.0-litre engine (it’s an outdated view, but there you go). It would definitely be worth getting in touch with a good local insurance broker, though. They can often find better deals than are available through the usual websites etc. so definitely worth having a chat with.
Looking for a spacious family car...
Looking for recommendations for a family car for a two-year old and a newborn. Petrol, good legroom and boot size, affordable and doesn't feel 'huge' to drive or difficult to park. Already checked out Skoda Octavia and Nissan Qashqai so any advice on these? We weren't looking to buy a brand new car but they both seem to have good scrappage deals...
Orla Greaney (Dublin)Mar 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Orla,
Get the Skoda. Trust me, as the father of two growing boys a Qashqai is just not big enough inside. The Octavia, on the other hand, has lots of rear legroom (crucial for people in rear-facing child seats or boosters) and a massive boot, especially if you go for the very practical Combi estate version. If you’re looking for other alternatives, stick within the mid-size estate market — they’re much more practical for families than a compact SUV, and usually cheaper too run too. Oh, and they’re not much bigger than the hatchbacks they’re based on, so parking etc. is still a doddle.
Good alternatives to the Skoda are the Ford Focus Estate, the Kia Ceed Sportswagon, the Hyundai i30 Tourer and the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. Click on those links to read our reviews of each.
When to change my Ford Focus timing belt?
When should timing belt be changed on July 2011 Ford Focus 1.6 diesel with 60,000 miles on the clock?
Anne Hanlon (Dublin)Feb 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Anne,
Our information shows that the recommended change interval is 140,000 kilometres (about 87,000 miles) or every 10 years, whichever comes first.