VW T-Cross, Skoda Kamiq or Suzuki Vitara?
Looking at VW T-Cross, Skoda Kamiq or Suzuki Vitara... which would you recommend?
Mary Bane (Ennis)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
Of the three, it’s probably the T-Cross that we prefer. It is more expensive than the Skoda, but makes up for that by feeling rather more stylish and a little more engaging to drive. Both are very good, though. The Vitara is decent, and solid, but feels a little too cheap in the cabin these days, which does hold it back. Incidentally, if you’re buying new and you’re in the small crossover market, you should also look at the new Ford Puma — it’s the best car in the class by far. Here are our reviews to help you decide:
When to change the 1.6 diesel Focus belt?
2011 Ford Focus 1.6 diesel: when to change the timing chain?
John Brazil (Dublin )Jun 2020 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi John,
That 1.6 diesel Focus uses a timing belt, not a chain.
The belt replacement schedule depends on the date the car was built. Up to July 2011 it's 140,000km or 10 years. After that it's 180,000km or 10 years.
How much VRT on importing a crew cab van?
How much VRT or other taxes would have to be paid if I bought a crew cab van in from the UK e.g. Ford Transit Custom, Mercedes Vito, VW Transporter etc
Lar Crowley (Kilkenny )Jun 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Lar,
A crew cab is theoretically a commercial vehicle, so you’ll pay 13.3 per cent of the OMSP (Open Market Selling Price) as defined by Revenue. As to what that value is, that will depend on the individual van you’re looking at.
How much to tax a 2015 Ford Focus diesel?
Just bought a 2015 Ford Focus 1.6 diesel car. How much do I need to tax it for the year please?
Michael Laffan (Dublin City)Jun 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
Assuming that it’s the 105hp version of the Focus 1.6 TDCi, and uses a manual gearbox, then it has CO2 emissions of 88g/km, which means tax of €180 per year.
Can I change my Micra's speedometer?
I have a 2012 Nissan Micra and I would like to change the speedometer from mph to km/h; is this possible?
Niamh Lynch (Cork)Jun 2020 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi Niamh,
OK, there are a few options here. You could go down the DIY route — there are second hand instrument clusters available on eBay, and plenty of tutorials on YouTube, but — and we can’t emphasise this enough — that’s the risky option. Lots of opportunity for an expensive mistake.
The simplest thing to do is go to your local Nissan dealer. Now, they might offer to swap out the entire panel — which is expensive — but really you’d be better off asking them to simply replace the face of the speedometer dial with a new one, which sometimes can be done with a sticker. A much more affordable alternative.
Which big tow car to go for on moving?
We are moving from the UK to Ireland soon and are gobsmacked (for the want of of a better word) to find that our two trusty vehicles, the 2005 Chrysler Grand Voyager (diesel) and 2005 Mercdes C-Class Elegance (petrol) are going to cost in excess of €6,000 jointly to tax! The cars are not even worth a fraction of that, so we sadly have to replace them (in this throw-away world we have always been proud to keep our vehicles beyond their life expectancies).
So, what car can you recommend for a family of six, that would be able to tow a horse box, but would be the cheapest to tax as we relocate to the Emerald Isle?
Jo Sheedy
Surrey, UK
Joanna Sheedy (Epsom)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joanne,
If it’s just the one car you want, then I think your best bet would be a Ford S-Max or Galaxy, or possibly a SEAT Alhambra. All three cars do all the important family hauling work really well, and the two Fords will tow a maximum 2,000kg load, while the Alhambra can haul as much as 2,400kg.
If you want to go down the two-car route, then maybe go for a Mercedes E-Class Estate, with the fold-down seats in the boot, as the family machine and a Volkswagen Amarok pickup (the early model with the 2.0-litre turbo engine so as to keep the tax costs down) as the tow-car. It can haul a whopping 3,500kg, but is also comfy and refined enough to be a daily driver.
Read our Mercedes E-Class reviews
What's the VRT on importing this Transit?
Hi,
I'm thinking of importing a 2015 Ford Transit Custom 310 Trend E-Tech, but can't figure out what VRT costs I have to pay. Tried on ROS, but can't see catagory for this.
Can you help?
Jimmy Walton (Kilkenny)Jun 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Jimmy,
There’s a flat rate of 13.3 per cent VRT for commercial vehicles and, with a 2015 Transit Custom being worth in and around €15,000 on the Irish market, you’re looking at about €1,900 in VRT, but that’s a ballpark figure.
Do I need to change my Kuga's belt again?
Hi,
I changed all the belts of my Ford Kuga 2.5 at 200,000km; I'd just like to know if they must be changed at 400,000km? I only do 20,000km a year.
Thanks
Francisco Bettencourt (Meyerton)Jun 2020 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Francisco,
Yes, that's right: the Kuga 2.5's timing belt (and auxiliary drive belts) must be changed every 200,000km (or every 10 years - whichever comes first).
When to change my Kuga's cambelt?
Hi,
I've just bought a Ford Kuga 2.0-litre TDCi AWD and it's done 67,000 miles and it's a 2010; do I need to change the cambelt and if so any idea of price please?
Julian
Julian Pufftt (Oxfordshire )May 2020 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Julian.
The Kuga's belt should be changed every 200,000km or every 10 years, whichever comes sooner, so, as your car is now 10 years old, it'd be wise to get the belt done when you can.
It wouldn't be helpful for us to give you a price for the work, as labour rates vary considerably from garage to garage. And the price of the parts will vary too, depending on where they are bought. It might help to know that the work should take no more than three hours, but don't forget that, as well as the timing belt itself, the auxiliary belts will need to be replaced, as will the water pump.
Need some advice on using a VW Transporter...
Hi there.
I set up as a sole trader last year (Oct '19). I'd like to swap my Ford Focus for a VW Transporter. A Kombi version most likely. I'm a photographer, but it would be for personal use and to transport my dogs with me. I don't deal with people directly in my business. I operate online. I really need some advice, as I want to move on with new projects. How can I tax and insure it to allow me to enjoy the next chapter?
Thanks a mil
James
James O'Donnell (Falcarragh)May 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi James,
The problem is, if you’re using the car for anything other than strictly business use, then you have to tax it as a private car, and on a 2.0-litre engine that means it’ll cost €710 per year. As for insurance, it shouldn’t be too bad, but as ever Irish insurance is an utter minefield, and the advice is — as ever — to shop around and perhaps get in touch with a good local broker before deciding.