Expert answer

Hi Sharon,

That has a timing chain.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Maurice,

Yes it does. It needs to be changed every 201,000 kilometres (125,000 miles) or every ten years.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Eamon,

Why? Because the government can get away with it, that’s why. The EU has repeatedly told the Irish government that VRT is unfair, but then all the government has to do is wave in the general direction of Denmark, which also charges hefty taxes on cars. Basically speaking, at some point, the patience in Brussels will run out and VRT will have to be scrapped. But don’t get your hopes up — no government can afford to give up a €1 billion annual tax take, so VRT will simply be renamed and repackaged in some other form. It’s never going to go away.

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Hi FD,

We can't see why it should unless there's something wrong with it or its alternator.

If you have a problem come back to us and we should be able to help.

Expert answer

Hi Delroy,

We believe all Mondeos of that year have timing chains.

Hope that helps

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Hi Katie,

If you're selling it privately we'd suggest go in at €8,495.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Catherine,

That's an interesting one and the decision will probably come down to your personal preference. The Discovery certainly has a higher 'status' and it is a very good car, but a newer, highly specified Galaxy might be the logical choice. Both cars are relatively reliable and highly comfortable. The Galaxy has more space and probably more equipment, but that depends on the Discovery you're looking at.

One thing to be aware of is that the Discovery is likely to have higher running costs, from fuel, tyres, servicing and insurance to annual road tax.

Bear all that in mind and then take the Discovery for a good long test drive before you decide - and don't be tempted by 'too good to be true' prices either. Get a Cartell.ie history check to make sure there's nothing dodgy about the car you're considering.

Let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

It makes a lot of sense for the money. It does everything that the likes of an entry-level Nissan Qashqai or Skoda Yeti does but for a way lower price. For its basic price you could only afford a three- to four-year old Qashqai for instance.

However, it isn't as impressive in terms of ambience as the established makers' cars. Neither is it as polished on the road.

Nevertheless, its running costs are low, equipment levels generous and of course it comes with a new car warranty...

Read Paul's first drive here for more, but if you have any specific questions please do come back to us.

Expert answer

Hi Ian,

We spoke to Ford and Volkswagen representatives in Ireland and the UK to get some answers. Seems there's no firm information on either as yet. If the Golf Plus goes ahead it'll not be in right-hand drive markets until 2014, though there may well be a proper Golf-badged MPV instead.

Ford is pretty tight-lipped on the EcoSport pictured above. It's under consideration. We're at a Ford future event in September where further announcements may be made so keep an eye on the site for news.

Expert answer

Hi Conal,

Over the years the Focus has proven to be considerably more reliable than the Mégane, though this latest one is still relatively new so we wouldn't like to make such predictions. Renault claims to have improved reliability.

Without seeing the actual examples you're considering the Renault should have more equipment for the price, though its resale value may be lower later on, balancing that out.

If you can send us links to the two cars for sale we can give you more advice if that's not enough.