Expert answer

Hi Sandi,

If it has never been changed then you should get it done immediately, as it should be replaced every 200,000km or 10 years, whichever comes soonest.

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

Yes, I would definitely query that with the motor tax office — in theory, when you use a commercial vehicle for private use it reverts to the old by-engine-capacity tax system, so you should not be paying the CO₂ rate. Call and ask them to double-check that and you may be refunded the difference. 

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Hi William,

The 1.6-litre petrol engine's belt of that era requires a change every 160,000km or eight years, whichever comes first. 

For the 1.6-litre diesel, it depends on when the engine was manufactured. Pre July 2011, it's 140,000km and ten years, and after that it's 180,000km or ten years.

Expert answer

Hi Wilstan,

Assuming you mean the 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, our information is that the belt should be changed every 200,000km or 10 years, neither of which applies to your car.

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Hi Martin,

Some vans do qualify for the lowest possible flat rate commercial VRT of €200, but it’s more likely that you’ll be charged the standard Category B rate of 13.3 per cent of the Irish market selling price, so the final figure will depend on the year, mileage, condition and equipment of the Transit in question.

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Hi Bryan,

With a commercial vehicle, if you tax it privately, you’re put back on the old engine-capacity tax system, so that’s going to be €951 a year to tax.

Expert answer

Hi Ruth,

There are lots of good choices for commercial SUVs. If you wanted something really swish, you could go for a Land Rover Discovery Commercial, but it’s a bit pricey. Smaller and more affordable is the Nissan Qashqai van, which is also pretty decent to drive. There’s also the Hyundai Kona Commercial, or if you’re feeling really futuristic, the Kona Commercial Electric. But actually, to be honest, your best bet might be to just buy a compact crossover, most of which are already pretty affordable, spacious (if you fold the back seats down) and which mostly have lower annual motor tax than the flat-rate €333 commercial van tax anyway. We’d suggest starting your shopping list with either the new Ford Puma or, if you’re really looking for bargains, the Dacia Duster. Some of our reviews to help you choose:

Land Rover Discovery reviews

Nissan Qashqai reviews

Hyundai Kona reviews

Ford Puma reviews

Dacia Duster reviews

Expert answer

Hi Jennifer,

The labour time should be no more than three hours solid work by a competent mechanic. The cost will vary considerably from garage to garage, though, so do shop around.

Expert answer

Hi Rebecca,

You've not given us the year or engine size, so here's a summary:

Kuga gen 1 (2008-2013): both engines (2.0 TDCi diesel and 2.5-litre petrol) use timing belts that must be changed every 200,000km or 10 years, whichever comes first.

Kuga gen 2 (2013-2020): the 1.5 and 1.6 EcoBoost petrol engines and the 2.0 TDCi diesel engine have timing belts that must be changed every 200,000km or 10 years, whichever comes first. The 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine uses a timing chain. 

Unusually, the schedule for the 1.5 TDCi diesel engine's timing belt replacement depends on the model year. Up to 2018 it's the same as the others above, but after 2018, the interval is reduced to 180,000km.

Expert answer

Hi Stephen,

That is very frustrating. It does, however, point to the coolant sensor, which is a known weak point of this engine. You say you replaced it, but did you fit a new part? Is there any possibility the wiring or connector is the issue rather than the sensor itself? 

Failing all that, I think it's time to get a good mechanic or Skoda dealer involved to get to the bottom of this.