Expert answer

Hi Chris,

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

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

As I'm sure you know, the 330e was updated late in 2024, so if you can find one of those within budget, you'll appreciate the upgrades. Read our review of the revised BMW 330e here.

We're big fans of the 330e as well. It's difficult to beat its blend of performance, driving dynamics, style and efficiency. Here are a few alternatives to consider, nonetheless:

Mercedes-Benz C 300 e: I love the look of these, and it feels like a proper luxury car inside, more so than the BMW. Its chassis is more comfort-focused though, so you need to choose which you prefer. There's not much to choose between this and the updated 330e when it comes to performance, electric range and space, but the Mercedes is very expensive.

Volkswagen Passat GTE: I suspect this is not what you're looking for in terms of badge appeal, but the GTE is a very decent car. It's much bigger inside than your BMW and exceedingly comfortable, with perky performance when you need it (ok, not as perky as the 330e's). Its electric range isn't great, but fine for short commutes. And this car is more affordable than most on this list.

Skoda Superb iV: Much the same can be said about the Superb as for the Passat above, though the Superb is larger again and it doesn't always come with a sporting badge, which some will like. It's not massively common in the classifieds though.

Volvo V60: Now this is a hidden gem and would be my choice of the lot here, even as a serious fan of rear-drive cars such as the 330e. And yes, it is an estate body style, which you might not have been looking for, but it is such a fantastic, polished car that is great to drive, looks sensational and packs a bigger punch than many will expect.

Give our review of the V60 T6 Recharge a read and go test drive one for yourself to make up your own mind. Same advice really for all of the above cars, but this one stands out.

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

On initial importation you'll have to pay 13.3 per cent of the OMSP (Open Market Selling Price), which is the value Revenue reckons the van has after registration in Ireland. This is not affected by your plans to convert it to a camper.

Once you've done the conversion, you'll then have to submit all the details to Revenue and you'll pay further VRT based on the converted vehicle's value. The amount you paid on importation will be taken into account in this calculation, however, so you don't pay twice.

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Hi Pete,

The process is the exact same as for a running car. You will need to make an appointment with the NCTS and have the car inspected, and pay VRT, even if it is indeed on a trailer or recovery truck.

If the Ford is over 30 years old the VRT will only be €200 in any case.

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Hi Bernard,

I can confirm that, if you tax a commercial vehicle privately as described here, the rate is determined by the engine size, so, for an engine of 1,901-2,000cc, the rate is indeed €710 a year.

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Hi Birenda,

Prices for the parts and the labour will vary wildly depending on where you bring the car, so our best advice is to shop around before you decide.

It's unlikley that you'd change just the clutch plate if the gearbox is off in any case, so factor in replacing the pressure plate, thrust bearing and maybe even the dual-mass flywheel.

Likewise, with the timing belt, you'd likely also replace the water pump at a minimum, possibly a tensioner too depending on the car's age.

In total, we'd suggest somewhere in the region of €1,200 for all this work.

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Hi Gary,

The 1.5 EcoBoost engine in the Kuga is a four-cylinder unit, not a three-cylinder design, and it has a traditional 'dry' belt, not a wet one like the 1.0 EcoBoost engine found elsewhere in the Ford range. 

Expert answer

Hi Thomas,

No, it has a traditional 'dry' timing belt. 

Expert answer

Hi Frank,

It's the timing belt itself that you've heard about most likely as, on some versions of the 1.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine, it is what's called a “wet belt”. That means the timing belt actually runs in oil, where most timing belts do not.

Ford isn't alone in having problems with them. The rubber in the belts can degrade due to many issues including use of the wrong engine oil and impurities in the oil as it gets older.

The good news for you is that, while earlier examples of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine did use this setup (though not all), and Ford dropped it from 2022 on, the MHEV engines always used timing chains instead and they should therefore be more robust.

However, even those later engines use a rubber belt to drive the oil pump and that still runs in oil so potentially has all the same issues. It is too new for those problems to have come to light and Ford believes it is designed for the life of the engine because it is under far less stress than the timing belt was.

All we can advise is that you carry out oil changes a little sooner than recommended and that you always use the correct specification of oil.

Expert answer

Hi James,

If the vehicle has been in use in the North for "a reasonable amount of time" (according to Revenue) then there should be no VAT or import duty payable. You will need to obtain proof of that.

Assuming that is the case (and not that the Transit was just imported from England by a dealer in Northern Ireland to just sell on), really it's just VRT, which we believe should only be €200 for the van you've described.