Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

Official guidelines are 125,000 miles (201,000km) or every 10 years. We'd recommend being more cautious than that.

Expert answer

Hi Eileen,

The Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi hatchback emits 95g/km, putting it in Band A3 for tax, which currently costs €190 per annum.

Expert answer

Hi Craig,

Best to get it along to a mechanic pronto, though before you do, check the oil level and top it up if it's low before you drive anywhere. It's likely there's an oil leak within the engine bay, though it could well be leaking oil into the cylinders too if there are larger issues so best to have it checked by a professional.

Expert answer

Hi David,

I'd say you've already picked out the ideal car - that Octavia 1.2 TSI is magic. Plenty of oomph, very economical and should have enough grunt to haul that trailer. One thing though - at 500kg, that trailer is getting on for the maximum braked towing weight of 610kg, so if it's an unbraked one it might be worth trading it for a braked version, just to keep some margin for safety.

Expert answer

Hi Helen,

If you mean the current model, with the 2.0-litre 140hp TDCi engine, then that has emissions of 139g/km of CO₂, putting it into Band B2 for motor tax, which has a six-month cost of €155.

Expert answer

Hi Aisling,

You won't go far wrong with the Octavia. Get the 1.6 TDI and you've got a potential 55mpg car with lots of space and terrific build quality and reliability. If you're looking for alternatives, then there's always the Volkswagen Golf (mechanically the same as the Skoda but less spacious inside) or the Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi (terrific to drive and good value but poor standard equipment and they're tight in the back).

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

There's a serious, serious issue at the moment in the chasm between what the car makers claim you will get in economy terms from a car and what you actually get in real-world driving. There are changes to the official testing regime coming down the pipe, but the car makers are resisting that with all their lobbying might as it means that their CO₂ ratings will go up too.

In the meantime, and this is based purely on personal experience, a Golf BlueMotion should get close to 60mpg in daily driving, and you may even crack the 65mpg mark, though 70mpg is probably not going to happen, being realistic.

Further reading:

Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion review

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

It does indeed. Ford recommends ever 10 years or 125,000 miles (201,000km roughly) - whichever comes first. We'd always recommend having it done sooner.

Expert answer

Hi Denis,

Chipping an engine can be beneficial but to be honest I don't think it's really going to help you here. If you're already getting nearly 50mpg on average then you're doing pretty well as it is. Chipping might boost that a bit but you're into unknown territory then with engine longevity, you might drive up your insurance and you might find a chipped car hard to sell on again.

Expert answer

Hi Robert,

Yes, they're pretty good. We've heard no major reports of serious issues with the current-shape Focus and that 1.6 diesel is long-lived and has seen service in various Volvos, MINIs, Citroens and Peugeots. Just make sure that it gets a regular oil change and that you use a high-grade synthetic oil.