Expert answer

Hi Colin,

I don't think you'll find a drastic difference between these cars in terms of their range in real-world usage. Indeed, changing your driving habits and top speed would likely have a larger effect.

So with that in mind, I reckon the Capri is the better bet, if for no other reason than it has a much larger boot.

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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 Julie.

First up, you've not told us which engine your Kuga has, and that's a key detail. We'll have to assume it has one of the most common units, which is the 2.0 TDCi diesel.

Secondly, a "wet belt" is a type of timing belt. When someone says "timing belt" they generally mean a "dry" belt that does not run in oil - like a wet belt does.

Anyway, the 2.0-litre diesel engine in the 2015 Kuga has a dry timing belt, not a wet one. It also has a small timing chain in the cylinder head joining the camshafts.

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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 Liam.

I believe you'll be ok, as the car should be assessed as is, but you really should ring Revenue for yourself to double-check that rather than take our word for it.

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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. 

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Hi Monica,

It really does depend on the specific vehicle, and that's what you'll need to check with Revenue. Most tippers are likely to be Category C, meaning a flat rate of €200 for VRT, but some, such as crew cabs, could be slapped with a 13.3 per cent VRT rate (of their Open Market Selling Price), so make sure you look up the official categorisation of the vehicle you're considering before committing to the purchase.

And don't forget that you could be liable for VAT and import duty as well if certain conditions are not met.

Expert answer

Hi Brian, 

No official word at all on this as yet. We'd be hopeful it can come in at under €45,000 based on the starting price of the Kia EV3 and the fact that there will also be an EV4 sitting between them.

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.