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Hello,

Can you tell me the internal length from front dash to boot door (passenger side) on the upcoming Hyundai Inster EV please? I understand all the seats have a ‘fold flat’ option for cargo and I need to be able to carry a load approx 165cm x 40 x 40.

Thanks very much.

Am I due a refund from my garage?

I bought my car, a 2016 Jaguar XE, in July 2023. Unfortunately, it has not been fit for purpose and has spent more time in the garage than on the road. I am outlining all the times it’s been back in the garage in the last year:

 31 August 2023: car went back to them for a week over NOX sensor issue.

5/6 of September 2023: car went in for oil issue got car back around 20th of Oct.

18th of Dec: went back to garage over engine and dying didn’t get back until 29th of April. A new six-month warranty was given to me.

Car went back to garage in August this year for air conditioning and EGR issue for about a month.

Car went back to garage on October 25 for DPF issue apparently and returned on 7th of November but not fixed.

Under the Consumer Act am I eligible for a refund or have I a good case legally?

Hi,

I bought a 2012 Peugeot 3008 automatic nine days ago from a mechanic who told me he was selling the car for his friend who I have never met. I paid the mechanic in cash and two days ago the engine broke and cannot be repaired. I need a whole new engine. The mechanic is saying it’s nothing to do with him. I am devastated.

Hi,

I am looking at purchasing either a 2015 Renault Clio 1.5 diesel with 88,000km on the clock or a 2013 Toyota Auris diesel with 196,000km on the clock for €8,500. I used to drive a Peugeot 207 and currently renting a Clio until I buy a new car.

I drive a lot for work and need a good seat (neck issues) and something that is economical on fuel. I'd really appreciate your advice on which is the better car in the long run. My budget is €9,000, which I know is low for a decent car.

Hi,

I have a 2018 Octavia 1.6 TDI with 139,000km on it. Timing belt was done at 90,000km. When would the timing belt next need to be done?

Hi,

Can I ask which vehicle you would choose from the following: Hyundai Kona 1.6 Hybrid Excellence or the new MG ZS Hybrid+. I want a reliable SUV with good power, automatic and all the mod cons with a budget of €35k for new.

Also, is it crazy to buy new or would I be better off buying from the following list even if it was 2-3 years old instead: Skoda Karoq Style or Sportline, SEAT Ateca, Cupra Formentor?

Thanks for the advice

My car needed a new engine due to back pressure issues and a mechanic put in a 2011 2.0-litre Volkswagen Passat engine that he sourced for me, but the engine isn’t running right at all.

He told me it’s fine and to give it a good drive, but since then it’s sluggish while changing gears, there’s smoke and it wouldn’t start for me the other night. I have rang said mechanic and he has told me that it’s up to me to ring the person he sourced the engine off.

Where do I stand here? Is it up to me to pay labour all over again? Should it be me ringing the person he sourced the engine off?

The only problem with my old engine was oil around its injectors. I got them replaced but same thing happened so I opted for a new engine which I was told my multiple people I should do. Am I at a loss here? Is it worth chasing my mechanic over the problems?

Thanks!

Hello

I am based in Dublin and willing to buy a 2024 BMW 530e (plug-in hybrid) from Northern Ireland. Will I have to pay VRT, VAT and import fees or only VRT?

Thank you

Hi,

Re: timing belt interval on Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI (Mark 7.5, first registered 2019).

Has Volkswagen changed the intervals on timing belts? When I bought my 2019 Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI I enquired as to the interval for the timing belt and was informed that it would need replacing at 240,000km or if that mileage was not reached it should last the life of the vehicle.

Today when I scheduled my car for a routine service at about 87,000km I was told that the interval for timing belt is either at five years of age or 120,000km. The cost of replacement at main dealer is a massive €700. I made a point of confirming the timing belt interval when I bought the car to budget for the overall costs of running the car while in my ownership. I feel aggrieved with Volkswagen if it's the case it has changed the interval without notice.

The cynic in me would think VW is merely lining its pockets. Am I taking a risk if I don't change the belt now that the car is five years old although the mileage is only 87,000km?

Thanks, Des

Hello,

We currently own a VW Tiguan R Line and coming to the end of PCP plan in August next year. I am considering a new Tiguan and also the new Skoda Kodiaq. I also have been doing a bit of research into possibly buying an EV. Some are now considerably cheaper than the normal ICE vehicles.

We have three kids and the normal mileage is 25k km per year. Over the next couple of months we are looking at the cost of change. We also chatted about the possibility of keeping our current car for another few years and wait for EVs to get better technology and range. There is also the depreciation aspect of EVs presently and the price of batteries are still falling.

Would it be a good time to change to EV or wait?