Expert answer

Hi Mile,

That engine has a timing belt.

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

When you're taxing a commercial vehicle for private use then the rate goes by the engine size. 

The Wildtrak can be had with 2.0 or 3.0-litre diesel engines, while the Ranger can be had with a 2.0-litre diesel or 3.0-litre petrol option. The 2.0-litre engines cost €710 a year to tax and the 3.0-litre units (doesn't matter what fuels them) are €1,494 per annum.

Read our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature for full details.

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Hi Aileen,

Motor tax for cars only goes by the engine size if it was registered before 2008. If the 1.6 you’re talking about is older than that then the annual motor tax should be €514 (assuming the engine size is 1,501-1,600cc).

If the car is newer, then its tax goes by its CO₂ emissions. We’d need to know full details of the car before we could look that up for you, as the engine size and type alone aren’t sufficient.

Read our Motor Tax Prices in Ireland Explained page for more information.

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Hi Roger,

It should be changed at least every 240,000km or 10 years, whichever comes first.

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Hi Neil,

So long as the car was actually used by someone in the north other than a dealer since it was imported, and you can prove that, then no VAT should be payable.

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Hi Sarah,

In terms of long commutes, and assuming you are sticking with the regular 2.0-litre diesel options, then our experience suggests that the Audi is more efficient - with the caveat that how you drive has a large influence on that. Overall, the Audi should prove fractionally cheaper to service and maintain, too.

Comparing the reliability between the two is less clearcut and the newer versions you can afford the better. Both cars are mechanically sound and most issues come from electronics etc. They’re comparable in short.

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

That is very high mileage of course, but many diesels are quite capable of it so long as they're maintained properly. Look for a detailed service history covering oil changes in particular, and on-time timing belt changes as well. 

Even so, there's no doubt that a car with that mileage on it will require mechanical maintenance. I'd only consider such a car if the price was exceptionally low in comparison to other examples with lower mileages. 

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Hi Syam,

Unless you need the long-distance efficiency of diesel then I'd suggest sticking with the petrol model if you can find one. They won't be very common though.

The diesel model feels faster and is more economical, but is likely to have higher maintenance costs as it gets older, even if nothing major goes wrong. And unfortunately the timing chain on that diesel engine can be a weak point.

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Hi Ed,

The only diesel engine offered in the 2009 XC70 was the old five-cylinder 2.4-litre unit. It was available in many states of tune though, so that will affect the CO₂ rating, which is how the tax is determined. 

It would appear that most will fall into Band F, with emissions of 191-225g/km. That currently means annual motor tax of €1,200.

Expert answer

Hi Caroline,

There isn't going to be a diesel-engined Frontera I'm afraid, and Opel Ireland has not yet confirmed pricing for the hybrid or electric versions. Keep an eye on our Opel Frontera reviews page for information as it comes in.