How much is my 2008 Ford Mondeo worth?
How much is a black 2008 Ford Mondeo TDCi Zetec 125hp with 68,000 miles, Bluetooth, parking sensors, all electric windows in showroom condition worth?
Thank you.
James Shorten (Cork)Dec 2014 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi James,
I'd say between €8,000 and €10,000 depending on the condition and history. Lower end if it's a trade in, a little higher if the service history is immaculate.
It's going to cost a fortune to repair my car - what to do?
How's this for an early Xmas present? I've just picked up my 2008 Ford Mondeo 1.8 TDCi from my dealer where it was in for its annual service. As usual they were giving me a report on how the service went and unfortunately they had to advise me that I'm going to need a lot of work done to my car, which I wasn't expecting.
Because of rust, repairs have to be made to the fuel tank, exhaust system (including a new catalytic convertor), the timing belt and a few other bits and pieces. All in all it's going to cost me over €3k. I've been with this dealer for a while and any work on the car was always done through them, so I trust them when they say the work is urgent. As the car has 193,000km on the clock I was expecting the timing belt to need replacing in the near future, but the other repairs have floored me. The car has always been dealer serviced. I had been planning on changing the car later this year, but now I'm not sure what to do. I could repair the car, but that will push back my plans to change the car and I'm taking the risk that nothing else would go wrong, while my car would continue to lose value.
Alternatively I could bring forward my plans to change, and hope the €3k in repairs that would have to be discounted against the trade in value by the dealer would still leave me in a position to do a deal. Any advice you could give would be appreciated.
Just to give you a good laugh, the weekend before I got the car serviced, my wife had ordered a new MINI Countryman to replace her Ford C-Max. We can't back out of that deal now. Had I gotten the service a week earlier, we could at least have postponed changing her car to replace mine! Timing is everything, I suppose...
Martin (Meath)Dec 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
There's little else worse than getting unexpectedly bad car repair news, and we all know how it feels. Now, as you point out, you have, essentially, two options here. One is to trade in the car without the work done and get something new. Now, that's a very tempting option and one that would at least put you back under a warranty and give you reasonably predictable monthly repayments etc, all of which is good news.
The thing is though that your Mondeo is only six years old and to my mind there should be an awful lot more left in it. I would be tempted, especially as you've also just upgraded your wife's car, to take the €3k on the chin and keep yours going for a while yet. You're at a point in its life where the value isn't going to sink all that much more anyway, so keeping it an extra year or 18 months isn't going to have an enormous impact - with the age and mileage already on it, it's going to be at the lower end of the value scale anyway.
One thing worth considering: rust doesn't happen overnight. If, as you say, this car has always been serviced to schedule with the same dealer, ask them why the problem wasn't flagged up sooner. You may be able to use that as a bit of a stick to beat the price down a touch.
Let us know how you get on
How much oil do I need for a Ford 1.8 TDCi?
How much oil is required for a Ford Focus 1.8 turbodiesel?
Martin Gorman (Tullamore)Dec 2014 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
Officially the capacity is 5.6 litres, including what's in the oil filter. Clearly you wouldn't put all that in after draining the oil, perhaps adding four litres at first and dipping it before finishing up.
When do I replace the timing belt in my Fiesta?
My Ford Fiesta is an 04 plate and has done 30,000 miles; it's the 1.2 engine. When do I replace the timing belt?
Morag MacLeod (Hopeman)Dec 2014 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Morag,
Ford recommends changing the timing belt on that car at least every 160,000km or every eight years. Because of the latter, if you've never had it done, we'd strongly recommend you do so soon.
What family car for three kids do you recommend?
What car would suit me? I want a family car with room for three kids in three car seats. I need a large boot and preferably 1.6 diesel.
Deirdre Ryan (Tipperary)Dec 2014 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Deirdre,
You realistically need to be looking at an MPV. How about a Peugeot 5008? It fits all your requirements, there are plenty out there, they're nice to drive and reasonably affordable to buy and run.
What €12,000 estate should I go for?
I am thinking of buying an estate car as I need the extra space. Seems to be a lot of Astras out there, but want to get something fairly good with a budget of €12k-ish. Recommend anything in particular?
Jonny Jackson (Tallaght)Dec 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Jonny,
The Astra is not a bad choice and the current Ford Focus Estate is simply massive inside too. But, to be honest, if it's a compact estate you're after then there are really only two serious games in town - the Kia cee'd SW and the Skoda Octavia Combi. Both are terrifically well made, reliable and, if you get the 1.6 diesel engine in either, very frugal. And both have absolutely enormous boots - more than 500 litres each. Cracking cars both, so simply take your pick. The Kia has the better warranty, the Skoda is perhaps slightly nicer inside.
Let us know which way you go with it
When did the Ford Mustang go on sale?
When did the Ford Mustang go on sale in Ireland? And how much does it cost?
Roy McKay (Cork)Nov 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Roy,
The Mustang went on sale in Ireland earlier this year and prices start from €55,000 for a 2.3-litre EcoBoost coupe. Here are our reviews:
Belt or chain for the Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi?
Does the Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi Zetec 2WD have a timing chain or belt and what mileage should it be changed at?
Linda Jarvis (Westmeath)Nov 2014 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Linda,
It has a timing belt and it needs to be changed at 200,000km or 10 years, whichever is sooner.
What is the market value for a 2006 Ford Focus?
What is the market value for a 2006 Ford Focus Ghia with 160,000km on clock?
Greg Byrne (Westmeath)Nov 2014 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Greg,
Depending on condition and history (and whether you're selling it yourself or trading it in) then I'd say between €4,500 and €6,000.
Ford Fiesta or Hyundai i20 for €11,000?
I have up to €11,000 to spend on a 3/4-year-old car. I was thinking of either a Ford Fiesta or a Hyundai i20 - which is the better buy? And is it better to buy between now and Christmas, or wait until the New Year?
Pauline O'Donnell
Pauline O'Donnell (Dublin 12)Nov 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Pauline,
At that age, I'd put the Fiesta ahead of the Hyundai. It's better to drive by far, better looking too and barely any less well made or reliable. True, the Hyundai has that long warranty, but at four years old that's coming to an end, so the balance swings back to the Ford. Get the brilliant 1.25-litre petrol engine and I don't think you'll go too far wrong. Lots out there to choose from so be picky when it comes to history, condition and price.
The end of December is the quietest for used car sales in dealers so you could strike a good bargain if you go in there with a cash offer ready to drive away. The New Year could be a bit busier if you're buying through a franchise that also sells new cars.
Let us know how you get on