Expert answer

Hi David,

Right, I’m going to make a couple of assumptions here — one is that this is the 140hp 2.0-litre TDCI diesel that we’re talking about, and that it’s the post-2010 facelift model. If so, then CO₂ emissions for the automatic model are 149g/km, and that means you’re in Band C for motor tax, which is €390 a year.

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

Titanium and Zetec are just trim level names and have nothing to do with the engine.

Assuming you're asking about the first-gen Ford S-Max (2006-2015), then here's the lay of the land:

1.6 TDCi diesel: timing belt

1.6 EcoBoost petrol: timing belt

1.8 TDCi diesel: timing belt

2.0 TDCi diesel: timing belt

2.0 petrol (all versions including EcoBoost): timing chain

2.2 TDCi diesel: timing belt

2.3 petrol: timing chain

2.5 petrol: timing belt

Expert answer

Hi Tunde,

Titanium is just a trim level name and has nothing to do with the engine.

Assuming you're asking about the first-gen Ford S-Max (2006-2015), then here's the lay of the land:

1.6 TDCi diesel: timing belt

1.6 EcoBoost petrol: timing belt

1.8 TDCi diesel: timing belt

2.0 TDCi diesel: timing belt

2.0 petrol (all versions including EcoBoost): timing chain

2.2 TDCi diesel: timing belt

2.3 petrol: timing chain

2.5 petrol: timing belt

Expert answer

Hi Mrak,

Assuming you mean the 2.0 TDCi diesel version, the recommended change interval is at least every 200,000 kilometres or 10 years, whichever comes first.

That means your car should be fine until next year.

Expert answer

Hi Jay,

I'm assuming you have a 2.0 TDCi diesel engine, not one of the 2.0-litre petrol units of that year (they all use timing chains, not belts). If so, then the recommended change interval is at least every 200,000 kilometres or 10 years, whichever comes first.

Expert answer

Hi Fiona,

A C-Max would possibly not be a great plan — demand for MPVs is definitely on the way down as people make the switch to SUVs. I think a regular Focus could well be the better bet — unless you need seven seats, it’s not that much less practical, and it will definitely be easier to sell on again later.

Expert answer

Hi Anthony,

That Kuga has a timing belt, which needs to be replaced every 200,000 kilometres or every 10 years - whichever comes first.

Expert answer

Hi Samie,

It depends which engine exactly you have in your Fiesta and when it was manufactured. For both the 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre TDCi engines, there was a changeover in schedule that occurred for cars made later in 2010. Before that, the timing belts in the diesel engines were scheduled to be changed every 200,000 kilometres or every 10 years, but after that, for a brief period of manufacture, it changed to 140,000km (still 10 years) and later again back up to 180,000 kilometres.

We always encourage readers to err on the side of caution with timing belts, so would advise you to consider the 140,000km interval as applicable to your car.

Expert answer

Hi Thomas,

It’s possible. If your car is the 2.0-litre 140hp TDCi saloon with a manual gearbox, then its CO₂ emissions should be rated at 156g/km, which would give you a motor tax bill of €570 a year. However, if it’s the automatic version, then the CO₂ rating jumps to 189g/km, and that’s a €750 bill. 

Expert answer

Hi Neil,

The recommended change interval for your car is 180,000 kilometres or every 10 years. Always treat that as a maximum.