How much to tax a 2.2 Toyota Verso?
How much to tax a 2.2 Toyota Verso for one year?
John Hamilton (Donegal )Aug 2018 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi John,
It will depend on the year and the model, but as an example, a 2010 2.2 diesel Verso, with the 140hp engine and a manual gearbox, has emissions of 164g/km and so motor tax of €570 per year.
Is my Mondeo's tax bill correct?
I have a 2009 Ford Mondeo 2.0 140hp, but I think my car tax might be wrong. I have been paying €750 a year on this car. I'm only looking into it now after someone telling me it could be the wrong price; how can I look into this or who could I talk to about this?
Thanks
Thomas Madden (Kilcolgan )Jun 2018 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Thomas,
It’s possible. If your car is the 2.0-litre 140hp TDCi saloon with a manual gearbox, then its CO2 emissions should be rated at 156g/km, which would give you a motor tax bill of €570 a year. However, if it’s the automatic version, then the CO2 rating jumps to 189g/km, and that’s a €750 bill.
Thoughts on this used Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Thinking of buying a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0 manual five-door with side steps, a boot spoiler, window tint, alloys and fog lights, with 120,000 miles on the clock.
Andree Cushion (Pafos Cyprus)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Andree,
Well, the good thing about Vitaras is that they tend to be rugged and reliable, but from the description you’ve given us, I’d tread a little carefully. A Vitara with that much extra body kit may well have been in the hands of an owner who cared more about how it looked, and less about how it was looked after. Study the service history very carefully, and make sure it’s in good nick.
Can I fit electric seats to my Focus?
Hi guys.
I have just purchased a set of black leather seats for my 2009 Ford Focus Zetec model. They came out of a Ford Focus Titanium of the same year. The driver's seat on the Titanium is electric and that in my Zetec is not! Will it be ok re working etc?
Many thanks. Peter.
Peter Tilling (Ruislip, Middx)May 2018 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
I think you may have a few issues there, unless you find it's easy to swap the manual adjustment mechanism from your old seats to the new ones. I suspect that won't be a simple task, unfortunately. And you'd need a lot more wiring, etc. to get the electric seats to work.
Will a Golf diesel with no DPF pass the NCT?
Will a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI diesel pass the NCT test if the DPF has been removed?
George Irwin (Newtownards)Apr 2018 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi George,
Technically speaking, it should not, as, before a tester does the exhaust smoke test, they should, according to the NCT manual, check 'visually that the emission control system is complete and properly connected.' Saying that, it's unlikely that many testers will notice that the DPF is missing and, so long as the DPF warning light is not illuminated, there's no reason for them to be suspicious.
In short, it shouldn't pass and contravenes the law on emission of pollutants, but it is unlikely to be picked up by an NCT test centre.
My 2015 Audi Q3 won't start. Help!
I have a 2015 Audi Q3 and it does not want to turn on the engine. It's as if the security system has activated a short current for the engine as everything else turns on. How can I correct this?
Jose A Flores (Puerto Rico)Apr 2018 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Jose,
We don't know of any widespread issue with the Q3 that matches your description so it's difficult to assess the issue from afar. It sounds as if the car can't sense you pressing the clutch down to start it if it's a manual or pressing the brake with the gear lever in Park if it's an automatic, but that's just one possible cause.
Best bet is to get a good mechanic to look at it.
Will I go for a Skoda Karoq 1.6?
Hi,
I am looking to trade in my beloved 152 Audi A4 2.0 for something a bit bigger in the boot etc. Have been in a 162 Audi Q5, which was quite nice, and familiar, but am considering a Skoda Karoq too. Any guidance? What engine would you recommend in the Karoq? I like the idea of the 1.6 DSG, but would I feel too short changed in it coming from a 2.0-litre manual?
Thanks
Ronan, Dublin
Ronan Murray (Dublin)Feb 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ronan,
Yeah, if you trade down to a 1.6 TDI from a 2.0-litre you will notice it alright. The 1.6 Karoq feels lively enough, but it’s going to feel less grunty than a 2.0 TDI Audi Q5 for sure. It’s also a good bit smaller inside, so bear that in mind. Lovely car though, and it’s worth considering the larger Kodiaq if you fancy the same thing with more interior space. Here are a few relevant reviews to help you decide:
Why is the 95hp Polo so much more?
I was thinking in buying a VW Polo. Since the 1.0 65hp and 75hp petrol models are fairly sluggish, it's the next one up I am interested in, the 1.0 95hp version. But the difference in price between the 75hp and 95hp model is a whopping €2,700 (€19,295 vs €21,995).
I checked the price in the UK and, sure enough, the differential between the same two models is under £900. What's going on here? How can Volkswagen justify the huge price difference in Ireland? I suspect it's to protect sales of the Golf, but then that argument should apply in the UK as well.
At any rate I won't be buying one now.
Kevin
KEVIN Deehan (Dublln)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
I must admit, you had us wondering... However, we took a detailed look at the UK and Ireland price lists and discovered that the 1.0 TSI 95hp engine is only offered in conjunction with a DSG automatic transmission here, whereas it can be had with a (cheaper) manual gearbox in the UK. That pretty much explains the large price jump.
Looking to buy a 2016 or 2017 SUV...
I'm looking to buy a 2016 or 2017 SUV, 1.6 to 1.7 diesel, Manual gearbox with cruise control. I'm not too bothered by my most other factors, other than a decent comfortable motorway drive with good fuel economy. Can you advise which are the most fuel efficient SUVs for motorway driving in Ireland within this range? Currently, I'm considering a Kia Sportage or Honda CR-V or Hyundai Tucson.
Thanks, Paul
Paul Keyes (Dublin)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
The Hyundai or Kia will be more efficient than the 1.6 i-DTEC Honda, but only just and at the expense of a considerable amount of performance — the Honda feels much brisker and is more comfortable than the other two as well. In that size range, it’s also well worth considering the VW Tiguan, especially the current-shape model, which is very frugal in 2.0-litre 115hp form. Some reviews below to help you decide:
Is the diesel auto Kia Sportage good on fuel?
I now have a 1.2-litre petrol automatic 161 Nissan Qashqai and thinking at getting a 181 Kia Sportage 1.7-litre diesel auto. Will I be spending less on fuel?
Mark Crowley (Ennis)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
You’ll probably use a little less fuel, but overall you’re going to be spending more because of the cost of upgrading to what’s quite a pricey diesel version, especially with the automatic gearbox. Kia quotes official fuel economy for that model of 57mpg, but we’d expect to see more like 40-45mpg in real world conditions. That’s a little better than the Qashqai 1.2 petrol, but not very much better. If you want to do better on the economy front, consider dropping the automatic gearbox and getting a manual instead.