What size is the MG HS PHEV's fuel tank?
I have the new MG HS PHEV and have noted that you say that the fuel tank is of 55-litre capacity. I live in England and all the literature over here states 37 litres. But today I drove into a petrol station with 50 miles of petrol range on the clock and without filling up I put 44 litres in.
Is the 55-litre tank an EU market thing? If it is I would seem to have an Irish model as it's right-hand drive. Can you share any insights you might have on the tank size?
Bernard Bradbury (Chatham)Expert answer
Hi Bernard,
The UK and Ireland cars are more or less identical and, according to this official MG Europe document, the 55-litre tank is standard across the board in the new MG HS.
Can the fuel I put in affect my car's emissions?
I accidentally put E05 petrol in the car immediately prior to its NCT test last week. About 11 litres was put in with the remaining seven litres of E10 left in the tank. The CO emissions were off the charts (1.41 instead of 0.11 in March). I was wondering if, given that E05 is more like 97 octane, would it be the reason for the high numbers? If I had known that E05 was like 97 octane I would not have got it as it was not an emergency.
Regards
Joe Ball (Chatham)May 2025 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
There's no easy answer to this as every car has a different set of sensors and calibration. In short, the level of ethanol in the fuel can certainly affect a car's emissions, but we're surprised by the jump in the level recorded and don't think that alone would account for it unless something very odd is going on with the engine control unit.
Should I change my BMW 520d?
There is only 33,250km on the clock; am I mad to be thinking of changing the car? I have been driving BMW 520ds for years and I am not very happy going back to petrol. I love the diesel as I have my own tank in the yard and never have to worry about getting fuel when I go on holidays down to Cork or Kerry.
Michael Smyth (TINLOUGH Carrig Birr Offaly )May 2025 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
If the car suits you now then there's no reason to change it. Sounds like it's barely broken in. Saying that, low mileage at low speeds does not suit diesel engines and their exhaust systems so make sure you take it for a good spin at higher engine speeds regularly to keep it in good condition.
The latest petrol engines are quite efficient, though, so you should go test one out to see what you think of it.
Where to get CO2 figure for a Japanese Toyota GT86?
Hello.
Where I can get Japanese CO2 emissions for a 2014 Toyota GT86, model DBA-ZN6, engine code FA20?
Marek (Ireland)May 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Marek,
Go to https://www.mlit.go.jp/jidosha/jidosha_fr10_000019.html (and use a browser that will automatically translate it from Japanese to English for you) and scroll down to item 6 and get Excel files full of information for loads of JDM cars. Those hold engine codes, etc, fuel consumption and CO2 data.
We found several entries for the Toyota you mentioned, with CO2 varying from 173-187g/km depending on the specific version of car.
If you're importing this car, Revenue will likely take the official NEDC CO2 figure for the European market and 'uplift' it to WLTP standards, meaning that even the automatic model will likely be in Band F (191-225g/km), while the manual may be in Band G (226g/km and higher).
Will I swap my Velar for a Nissan Qashqai?
I am currently driving a 2021 Range Rover Velar PHEV, which I bought new. It has only covered 8,500 miles to date. It's in perfect condition. Silver metallic paintwork, with black top and it also has a full fixed-glass roof with automatic blind.
I was thinking of changing for a Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid, or a Mazda MX-30 with the petrol engine to charge the battery. This seems to be a big improvement on the original launch model which had a very limited range.
I may be moving to an apartment which does not have a car-charging facility, and I am not quite ready to go fully electric yet.
I have a buyer interested in my Velar and I was wondering what value you would put on it, if I was to sell privately, and purchase the new car in a straight deal?
Patrick Devery (Blackrock, Dublin)May 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
First up, if you're not going to be able to charge a car up at home, we'd recommend you do not buy the MX-30. Yes, it's much improved with the 'range-extender' engine on board, but it's still a car designed to be plugged in and charged up. Without that, it would be a very frustrating petrol car with a tiny fuel tank. Read our review of the MX-30 R-EV here if you're still interested.
We're big fans of the Qashqai e-Power. It feels very like an EV at times to drive, giving you a flavour for that, yet you don't plug it in to charge it up. Go take a test drive for yourself to see if you agree with us. And read our detailed reviews of the Qashqai e-Power here. https://www.completecar.ie/car/search/car-reviews/Nissan/Qashqai
There are 2021 examples of the plug-in hybrid Velar in the classifieds varying from about €49,000 to as high as €75,000, though none are as low-mileage as your car, so that will help get a strong price for sure. That €75,000 example is an anomaly though so bank on somewhere slightly north of €50,000.
There's no transport invoice if driving an import from the North...
What if a car is driven from Northern Ireland to ROI? There will be no transport invoice...
Terry (ROi)May 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Terry,
That's absolutely correct, but Revenue will want some other form of proof of the date of entry, so keep receipts for fuel and tolls, etc.
Need a reliable SUV for our family...
Hi Shane,
Thank you for your swift reply. We have three kids: 7, 10 and 15. Mileage at least 20,000km per year.
Cathal O Loghlin (Boyle)Apr 2025 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Cathal,
Any of the cars in our previous conversation should do you well, though the Kodiaq's extra size might appeal given the needs of such a family. You would likely have to compromise on newness or mileage to get one - in comparison to the smaller alternatives.
Diesel is probably the right fuel for you at that mileage, though if a lot of it is at lower speeds, and you don't tend to be a "push on" sort of driver, hybrid power might well be a fine option, too.
Fuel tank size in the MG HS hybrid?
What is the fuel tank capacity of the MG HS hybrid, and which octane fuel should I put in?
Steve (Perth, WA)Expert answer
Hi Steve,
It has a 55-litre fuel tank and the minimum octane recommended in 95 RON.
Fuel tank capacity of the 2025 MG HS PHEV?
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2025 MG HS PHEV Trophy?
Paul Scholey (Eastbourne)Apr 2025 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
There seems to be some confusion on this point, with some outlets reporting 37 litres and others 55 litres. We believe the former figure is the plug-in hybrid model with the 55-litre capacity tank is only on the petrol version of this car (which is not sold in Ireland).
What will I replace my Kia Rio with?
Hi,
I have a budget of about €7,000. I've been driving a 2009 Kia Rio for five years. I like how it handles, but I'd like a higher seating position and more clearance underneath because I live very rurally.
Things that matter to me: handling on curves and in bad weather, comfortable ride, fuel efficiency, ideally fold flat rear seats as I occasionally like to do DIY. Not too noisy (wind and road).
I do love to drive, and a bit of horsepower wouldn't go awry! But once it isn't crawling uphill, the other factors are more important. I rarely have passengers. Not concerned whether it's petrol or diesel, once it's manual.
Appreciate your advice!
Mary Alagna (Eastbourne)Mar 2025 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
There's loads of choice on the market at that price level, and one car that stands out as potentially perfect for you is the Honda Jazz. Manual versions are rarer, but they do exist. The seating position should be a little higher than your Rio's, but it's still a car that handles well in the corners rather than a lofty SUV. The rear seats have loads of versatility built into them as well.
If you found your Kia dependable, a natural replacement could be the Kia Venga, a kind of tall hatchback. The Hyundai ix20 is effectively the same car, and they're not bad, though probably won't tick the "bit of horsepower" box for you...
Let me know if we're on the right track and if you need help narrowing down your search.