Expert answer

Hi Edel,

Not many cars have the same windscreen demister that Fords do, so you may have to compromise on that. Most at your budget will have heated seats and auto lights though.

You can afford a 2023 Audi Q3 with a manual gearbox and there are plenty around within budget whether you want a diesel or a petrol engine.

For the same price, you'd get a year newer Mazda CX-5, again with a manual gearbox if you want it, and the option of petrol or diesel power.

The Mazda will be the better-equipped of the two and the more enjoyable to drive.

Then it just comes down to which you prefer the look of (the Mazda wins that one hands down).

Expert answer

Hi Doteen,

A car's history and how well it has been serviced is important no matter what fuel type it is. The added complication with modern diesels is that their DPFs – and other components - can clog up if they're only used for short trips. I don't believe where you buy the car has any bearing on that. It's all about how the car was used.

Make sure all the warning lights are working and going off when the car is running, insist on a detailed and complete service history and take the car for a decent test drive (again, regardless of the fuel).

A diesel car will be far more economical than a petrol one when it comes to towing and for the most part will be better suited to the job in terms of low-down pulling power (torque).

Nonetheless, if you'd prefer a petrol car, that's entirely doable. Just don't go for a small-engined, lightweight car and expect it to do a good job. Cars such as the Ford Mondeo, Skoda Octavia, VW Passat and others all came with powerful turbocharged petrol engines, though they're much rarer and hence harder to find than the diesel equivalents.

Hopefully that has given you some food for thought but come back to us with more information on the weight of the caravan you're buying and your budget for the car and we can help further if you need it.

Expert answer

Hi Derek,

Assuming you mean just replace the wet belt, then prices will vary considerably from garage to garage, but you could be looking at up to €800 or so. Shop around is our advice.

Expert answer

Hi Frank,

If Ford won't play ball in giving you a CoC with all the details on it, then next step is perhaps to try to find the information on an officially recognised UK website, such as this one from the Vehicle Certification Agency. If you can find your exact car on there, that should be accepted, but we strongly urge you to talk to Revenue ahead of the NCTS inspection about the documentation you have to hand. 

Expert answer

Hi Chris,

It should be changed at least every 180,000km or 10 years - whichever comes first.

Expert answer

Hi Stephen,

You've not told us the year, so we're assuming the 2014-2015 model. Its belt should be changed at least every 180,000km or 10 years – whichever comes first.

Obviously come back to us with the model year if that's not your car.

Expert answer

Hi Chevalier,

We have no way of knowing which setup your car's engine has remotely, but you are correct in that some of the engines from that year use a chain for the high-pressure fuel pump drive while others use a belt - alongside the main timing belt.

It doesn't really matter which your engine has, unfortunately, as the chain must be replaced just as often as the timing belt - at least every 200,000km or 10 years, whichever comes first.

Expert answer

Hi Jonathan,

We don't usually attempt to give readers estimates for repair work to their cars as there is such variability out there in terms of labour rates, quoted prices and even parts prices depending on where you go to get the work done.

I will say that it's a very big job that's unlikely to cost less than €1,000 and comes with nearly 15 hours of solid labour on the car.

The full extent of the engine damage won't be clear until the cylinder head has been taken off as well, so no mechanic is likely to give you a fixed price before they start.

Please do come back to us when you've done the work and give us an account of it all, as that may be of use to another reader in the future.

Expert answer

Hi Alex,

That engine has a cambelt.

Expert answer

Hi Fergal,

The first one that comes to mind is the Skoda Superb. A new generation of this massive car was launched last year and it’s a great option. It’s bigger than the Mondeo and can be had with a 2.0 TDI diesel engine.

A lovely car is the Peugeot 508, which can be had with a 1.5-litre diesel, but you might find it small inside in comparison to your Mondeo. Worth a look anyway.

There really aren’t many others if you’re sticking with a diesel saloon, unless you go for one of the premium brands - both Audi and Mercedes sell diesel engines still in the A5 and C-Class, respectively.