When to change the 1.6 diesel Focus belt?
2011 Ford Focus 1.6 diesel: when to change the timing chain?
John Brazil (Dublin )Jun 2020 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi John,
That 1.6 diesel Focus uses a timing belt, not a chain.
The belt replacement schedule depends on the date the car was built. Up to July 2011 it's 140,000km or 10 years. After that it's 180,000km or 10 years.
Tax and insurance on a 2009 Toyota RAV4?
What's the annual road tax on a 2009 Toyota RAV4 D4D? Will the insurance be high on it as well?
Jacqui Turvey (Carrick )Jun 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Jacqui,
With CO2 emissions of 173g/km, a 2009 RAV4 diesel is going to be in Band E for motor tax, which means €750 a year. As for insurance, it shouldn’t be too bad, but as ever, Irish insurance is a minefield and often depends more on you and your record than the car, so make sure you take the time to shop around.
How much to tax a 2015 Ford Focus diesel?
Just bought a 2015 Ford Focus 1.6 diesel car. How much do I need to tax it for the year please?
Michael Laffan (Dublin City)Jun 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
Assuming that it’s the 105hp version of the Focus 1.6 TDCi, and uses a manual gearbox, then it has CO2 emissions of 88g/km, which means tax of €180 per year.
Which big tow car to go for on moving?
We are moving from the UK to Ireland soon and are gobsmacked (for the want of of a better word) to find that our two trusty vehicles, the 2005 Chrysler Grand Voyager (diesel) and 2005 Mercdes C-Class Elegance (petrol) are going to cost in excess of €6,000 jointly to tax! The cars are not even worth a fraction of that, so we sadly have to replace them (in this throw-away world we have always been proud to keep our vehicles beyond their life expectancies).
So, what car can you recommend for a family of six, that would be able to tow a horse box, but would be the cheapest to tax as we relocate to the Emerald Isle?
Jo Sheedy
Surrey, UK
Joanna Sheedy (Epsom)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joanne,
If it’s just the one car you want, then I think your best bet would be a Ford S-Max or Galaxy, or possibly a SEAT Alhambra. All three cars do all the important family hauling work really well, and the two Fords will tow a maximum 2,000kg load, while the Alhambra can haul as much as 2,400kg.
If you want to go down the two-car route, then maybe go for a Mercedes E-Class Estate, with the fold-down seats in the boot, as the family machine and a Volkswagen Amarok pickup (the early model with the 2.0-litre turbo engine so as to keep the tax costs down) as the tow-car. It can haul a whopping 3,500kg, but is also comfy and refined enough to be a daily driver.
Read our Mercedes E-Class reviews
Used Avensis or Passat for 25k a year?
I do on average 25,000km a year. Live in the country. I have a choice between 142 1.6 Volkswagen Passat (246,000km, €8,800), 142 1.6 VW Passat (180,000km, €9,500), 131 2.0 Toyota Avensis (198,000km €8,950) or 2012 2.0 Avensis (146,000km €8,000).
Advice welcome
James McDonagh (Curry)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi James,
OK, at 25,000km per year, you’re just about over the line for diesel to make good sense for you. Both the Passat and the Avensis are rugged, reliable cars so they’re both good choices. The Passat has the nicer interior and is more comfortable overall, and that 1.6-litre diesel is remarkably economical (we once drove from Galway to Glasgow, via Belfast, and back on one tank…).
However, the Avensis would have an edge on overall reliability, which, when dealing with cars of this sort of mileage and age, could be significant. I’d say, on balance, go for one of the Avensis, but carefully check over the history and condition of each car, and go for the one that’s the best in those regards, rather than mileage or price. Oh, and as with any four-door saloon with high mileage, check to make sure that neither has been previously used as a taxi. We recommend Cartell.ie for a full history check.
Tax to import a Land Rover Defender?
I have a 2007 Land Rover Defender diesel 2.4 in the UK. I will be moving It to Ireland this summer; what will the taxation and import duty be?
Janice Taberer (Chelmsford)Jun 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Janice,
It depends when you bought it. If you bought it at least six months ago, and can show that it’s been taxed and insured for that period, plus you can show proof of transfer of residence, then there’s no import duty (Vehicle Registration Tax) to pay. When it comes to paying road tax, it depends on the model. If it’s a commercial vehicle, and used as a commercial vehicle, then it will cost €333 a year to tax. If it’s a commercial vehicle but used as a private car, then it will be €1,034 per year. If it’s a passenger model Defender, then with CO2 emissions of more than 225g/km, it’ll cost you €2,350 per year in motor tax.
NOx charge on a 2010 Skoda Octavia?
Do you know the NOx charge for a 2010 Skoda Octavia diesel 1.6 105hp, rated at 119g/km?
Thanks in advance
Michael Downes (Crusheen)Jun 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
OK, the NOx charge seems still to be something of an inexact science, not least because accurate NOx values are still hard to come by for some models. Now, we think that a 2010 Octavia 1.6 TDI has NOx emissions of 152mg/km, which would equal a NOx charge of €1,725 (€5 per mg for the first 60mg, €15 per mg between 60 and 80mg, and then €25 per mg per the balance: €300 + €300 + €1,125 = €1,725). That’s on top of the normal VRT charge, of course.
What to buy with up to €12,000 to spend?
Looking for model recommendations for a used car. My requirements: automatic, cruise control, air conditioning, 1.6-2.0-litre, €10,000-12,000 available.
David Murphy (Dundalk)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi David,
OK, we found a few good options, via Carzone, but there are plenty more if you have a look.
How about a BMW 5 Series? It’s top of budget, but we found a 131-reg 520d in SE spec, with auto, air conditioning and cruise. A fabulous car to drive, and perfect for long journeys. Used BMW 5 Series for sale on Carzone. Maybe check out our BMW 5 Series F10 (2010-2017) used car buying guide if that piques your interest.
Or, if you need something a little more practical (and also faultlessly reliable) how about a Mazda6 Estate 150hp diesel? It’s a 2015 car, and they’re as good to drive as they are to look at. Used Mazda6 for sale on Carzone. (Read our Mazda6 reviews here).
Can I insure a van for private use?
Hi,
I want to buy a 141-reg Ford Focus van and I will only use it privately. Can I insure it privately? Even though it's a van I don't have a company or VAT number. It's a 1.6 diesel.
John Lyster (Wicklow)May 2020 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi John,
You can absolutely insure it as a private vehicle, but the only issue is that means reverting to the old by-engine-capacity tax system, so it’ll cost you €514 a year.
What is the 2013 Honda Civic diesel like?
What is the 2013 Honda Civic i-DTEC like?
FRANCIS GANNON (COUNTY MEATH)May 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Francis,
It’s actually pretty brilliant — that 1.6 iDTEC engine is one of the best diesels we’ve ever sat behind. It’s smooth, has plenty of performance and is very economical. Plus, Honda engines were never implicated in any diesel emissions cheating, so your conscience can remain untroubled. The rest of the car is rather lovely too. Honda’s quality is a given and that generation of Civic is both massively roomy and massively versatile with those clever flip-up ‘Magic’ rear seats. It’s also good to drive — not as agile as a Ford Focus, but solid and planted, with nice steering feel and good comfort levels, too. The only demerits are a bit too much road noise and a slightly messy dashboard layout.