How economical is the Skoda Yeti?
What is the Skoda Yeti's 2.0 diesel fuel consumption like?
Tom Hartigan (Limerick)Expert answer
Hi Tom,
The front-wheel drive only Yeti 2.0 TDI returns 52.3mpg (5.4 litres/100km). The four-wheel drive version returns 46.3mpg (6.1 litres/100km).
The Yeti is one of those cars in which it's possible to get close to the official figures - especially on the open road and the motorway.
Hope that helps
Should I go for a Skoda to replace my Golf?
I currently drive a 2009 Volkswagen Golf and am looking for something a bit bigger. I'm six-foot five and my problem is that, with the driver's seat in the correct position for me, you cannot fit our rear facing baby seat, or the first forward facing seat behind me. The only option is to place them on the passenger side, which leaves my older daughter sitting behind me, with her knees in my back, resulting in pins and needles for her and and an uncomfortable drive for me. The other issue is that the frame of the buggy takes up all the boot space, leaving no space for the weekly shop, or for luggage etc. I know the Skoda Superb has miles of leg room, and boot space but are there any other cars I should be looking at? I have always driven diesel and would prefer to stick with it, so I think 2009 would be best in terms of tax and getting two years before the next NCT. A lot of the Skodas on Carzone.ie seem to have huge mileage; what would you consider excessive for a 2009 car?
John Maher (Ennis)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
The Skoda Superb or Octavia would have been our first suggestions. The Octavia hasn't quite as much rear legroom as the Superb, but it's still better than the Golf's - and the boot is huge. High mileages on diesel Skodas are nothing to worry about so long as it has a proper service history and is in good order. Taxi drivers regularly do hundreds of thousands of kilometres. Avoid high mileage DSG automatic gearboxes, but otherwise they are really robust. So long as the history and price are good I'd not worry about buying one with over 150,000 kilometres on the clock.
One last thing to consider: if you do less than 20,000 kilometres a year a petrol car may suit you better. They're generally cheaper to buy and better suited to low mileage use. They're also quieter!
Hope that helps, but do come back to us if you need more assistance and have a budget in mind so we can narrow down the search for you.
What's the Peugeot 207CC like?
Are there any common problems with the Peugeot 207CC? Do they have a timing belt or chain? What is mileage like to be?
Dolores Lunders (Dublin 15)Mar 2013 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Dolores,
They’re pretty shoddy, to be honest. The alternators are troublesome, as are turbos on both petrol and diesel models. Head gasket trouble is common, and the timing chain on the 1.6 petrol needs regular checking. Electrical problems are common and the roof mechanism on the CC model is spectacularly unreliable, often getting stuck half open or closed. The timing belt/chain question rather depends on which engine you’re talking about, but economy will work out at around 35mpg for the petrol models, or 45-50mpg for a diesel.
Mazda6 diesel or petrol Megane?
I am looking at buying a used car. I travel up and down to Drogheda from Dublin each day for work. Would a 2.0-litre diesel be more efficient than a 1.6 petrol? They are both 2007, diesel is a Mazda6 and the 1.6 is a Megane.
Jon Stout (Drogheda)Mar 2013 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Jon,
So, your average mileage is going to be around 25,000km per year. That’s just on the cusp of needing a diesel, so I’d suggest going for the Mazda in this case, as it will be much more efficient at that kind of journey, and the constant long motorway runs will keep the particulate filter in good order. Plus, the Mazda will likely be more reliable than the Megane in the long run.
Is there much difference between 1.6- and 1.8-litre TDCi Focus?
Is there much of a difference in the fuel economy of a 1.8 diesel Ford Focus and the 1.6? We were advised to stear clear of the 1.6 with high mileage.
Martina Carty (Cork)Mar 2013 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Martina,
We're assuming you are referring to the post-2008 Focus here, so correct us if not. The 1.6-litre models are up to 10mpg more efficient and generally have much lower emissions too to help reduce your annual tax bill.
Be aware that the 1.6 TDCi engine only had issues from 2004 until about 2008. Cars/engines made after that date should be just as reliable as the 1.8-litre.
Hope that helps
How much is tax on a 2005 Ford Focus?
How much is tax on a 2005 1.8 diesel Ford Focus?
Stephen Guilfoyle (Ennis)Mar 2013 Filed under: road tax
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
Cars registered in 2005 are taxed according to their engine size, so that Focus (which has a 1,753cc engine) is taxed in the 1,701- to 1,800cc band. Since the 2013 Budget that costs €636 per year to tax.
Hope that helps
Why did my diesel Peugeot lose power?
Why would a 2009 diesel Peugeot with 66,000km on the clock lose power and stop on the motorway at 100km/h? I turned it off and restarted it and it was perfect for about 40km then it happened again.
Michelle Roche (Limerick)Mar 2013 Filed under: DPF issues
Expert answer
Hi Michelle,
Although you've not told us the model or engine size in your car, that sounds like a classic case of the engine management switching into 'limp home' mode, which is most often because of a clogged up diesel particulate filter (DPF). If the car will run properly, then take it for a long run at motorway speeds in a lower gear than usual to see if that will clear it out, but it may be that it needs further treatment or even replacement.
If in any doubt, bring the car to a good mechanic so they can plug the car into a diagnostic machine and obtain any error codes that will confirm what the issue is.
How economical is the Toyota RAV4?
How economical is a 2003-2005 Toyota RAV4? I need a family car that is roomy and good for long journeys, but also driving around Dublin for school runs etc.
Helen Macmahon (Dublin)Expert answer
Hi Helen,
An old RAV4 will be pretty thirsty, to be honest. Official fuel economy for the 1.8 petrol model, from 2004, was 38mpg, and around town I’d expect it to do not much better than 28mpg. The 2.0 diesel version is only 1mpg better off on the official figures, so don’t expect miracles from one of those either.
Why is my Volvo S40 lacking power?
Can any one tell me what the reasons are for a Low Engine Performance warning when I go to start my Volvo S40 1.6D?
Kevin Anthony (Enniscorthy)Feb 2013 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
That could be caused by a few different things, but the most likely for that 1.6-litre diesel engine are either a clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF) or the failure of the turbocharger. Either way you need to get the car to a good mechanic as soon as you can to have it repaired.
What cheap old car will I get for commuting?
I'm looking for a car for heavy commuting as I have a new job and will be doing 750 miles a week for 9-10 months (two hours each way per day). I have a 2008 Focus but intend keeping this as a second car and I see no point putting massive mileage on it. Instead I hope to pick up an older car and get a year out of it. I am considering a 2001 Mercedes E 220, but I'm a bit concerned about fuel costs. What other car would fit the bill, capable of heavy mileage, comfortable and reasonably economical to run?
Kevin McCarthy (Limerick)Feb 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
As is so often the case, the best answer here is ‘get a Golf.’ Or possibly a Passat. Or maybe a Volvo S80 1.6d. Any of those, if you can find them with a full service history, would fit the bill rather nicely. The Volvo is a great choice actually — comfy like an armchair, and can go 1,500km on a full tank of diesel. The Golf is probably the best value option — get one cheap, with the old 1.9 'Pump Duse' TDI diesel engine, and it’ll sit on the motorway doing 50mpg all day long, and it’ll be comfy too.