Which nearly-new crossover to get?
I am in the market for a compact SUV (small town SUV). My 17-year-old daughter wants to learn to drive in it also so I need a manual. I think a 1.0- or 1.2-litre petrol engine would be the sort of thing. I've driven a Captur, Juke, T-Cross, Kona, Crossland X, ix20 and a Toyota C-HR. The Toyota drove really well but it's pricier and longer. What would you recommend as a 2017/2018 vehicle based on drive and value for money and a learner driver?
Anne Marie O'Byrne (Wexford)Mar 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Anne Marie.
Well, normally for a learner driver and for mostly in-town driving, we’d recommend a hatchback, rather than an SUV or crossover, but if your heart is set on one… Of the list you’ve given us below, the Toyota is the best, although arguably as a 1.2-litre petrol, you’re not getting the best C-HR (which is the hybrid, but then that’s an automatic). The Volkswagen T-Cross would be an excellent choice, has a brilliant little 1.0-litre engine and is a bit more upright and square than the others, so is a bit easier to see out of, which might be helpful for your daughter while she’s learning. The Kona would also be an excellent choice, but we’d also add the Suzuki Vitara to your list as its a solid and rugged choice - and hugely reliable.
Read our Renault Captur reviews
Read our Volkswagen T-Cross reviews
My F-150's auto stop isn't working...
I have a 2015 Ford F-150 and the auto stop just stopped working.
Andres Rios (Edinburg)Feb 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Andres,
Stop-start systems regularly stop working. So much so that we've written a guide on the subject: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
Why the difference in motor tax for my Mercs?
I own two Mercedes-Benz 2.1-litre cars; one costs €290 and the other costs €570: why the difference?
Ed Hogan (Carrick-on-Suir)Feb 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Ed,
OK, this one takes a bit of deciphering. I’m guessing that you mean you own two Mercedes-Benz models, both using the 2.1-litre diesel four-cylinder engine. I’m also assuming that you’re talking about the cost of motor tax, although the €290 figure is a little odd — did you mis-type when you meant either €280 (for Band B2) or €390 (for Band C)?
The discrepancy could be down to a number of factors. You don’t, for example, state which models you’re talking about — E-Class? C-Class? Coupe? Convertible? Estate? Do both cars have automatic transmissions? Are they both on the same size wheels? Were they both manufactured in the same year? There’s a huge variation in vehicle emissions and, if you’re talking about the gap between Band C and Band D, it takes only a single g/km of CO2 to tip from one to the other.
I imported a car from Japan and need help...
Hello,
I got a 1999 Toyota Cresta 2.0 auto petrol in from Japan in November. I went to the VRT/NCT office to get the reg and, as I was missing one document, was told to come back after Xmas. Nobody said anything about the NOx charge coming in 2020...
So now I have to pay this charge even though I have the NOx/CO2 numbers for the car from the seller in Japan. Also, the VRT came in at €5,500; this a crazy price for a 1999 car - Revenue thinks the car is worth €20,000 and it's actually only worth €4,000 or €5,000 at most; I cannot pay this amount so what can I do?
Mike Grant (Waterford)Jan 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
Unfortunately, Revenue and the VRT process are inexplicably cruel in this regard. You have to pay the money before you appeal, but the good news is that more than 50 per cent of appeals are successful. It would be helpful to find some expert in Japanese vehicles (and I would suggest tracking down a garage that imports them regularly) to give you their opinion on the value, as Revenue is legendarily awful at coming up with reasonable values for unusual cars.
As for the NOx charge, I would ask for a statement in writing from the VRT/NCT office that you brought the car for inspection before January, but were told to come back afterwards. That might (emphasis on the might) get that waived when you make your appeal.
My new L200's stop-start is erratic...
Hi,
I have a new Mitsubishi L200 series 6 Barbarian. Done less than 500 miles, mixed driving. The auto stop-start is totally unreliable. Green light comes on first start, goes out, may occasionally flash whilst driving. Over a 40-mile trip the stop-start functioned only once. Worked less than half a dozen times since purchase. Dealer says no fault or error codes.
Any ideas?
Dave Lewis (Portsmouth)Jan 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
I'm surprised to hear that from a new truck where the battery will be in good condition, but stop-start systems regularly don't work as people expect. The system measures loads of variables before deciding whether the engine will be stopped, including the temperature of the engine and even the outside temperature. If it's cold weather, it may not work at all. If you're using items that are a big electrical drain, it may not operate.
Read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature
Will my car stop if stop-start is broken?
Will my car stop if the auto stop-start feature stopped working?
Sherry Smith (Dunn)Jan 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Sherry,
It should not, no, though you are likely to get a warning light in the dashboard.
Read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature on why that might be happening.
When to change automatic gearbox oil?
Hi,
When or how often should the oil in an automatic gearbox be changed? The manufacturers may say (I don't know?) it doesn't need to be changed at all, that it is good for the lifetime of the transmission: but what do they mean by the lifetime of the transmission? 100,000 miles? One would expect a transmission to last a lot longer. There are views out there on the internet that say change every 30,000 or 50,000 miles. Do you have access to any independent experienced mechanics that could give an authoritative answer? I have a C-Class automatic petrol Mercedes and an automatic diesel Volvo.
Thanks
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Jan 2020 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Every gearbox is different and our advice would be to follow the manufacturer advice. For life means for life, with no limit on mileage, odd as that sounds.
Why different tax for these Zafiras?
Hi!
I can't understand something. How come my Opel Zafira 161 is in the €570 tax band and a 141 is in the €280 tax band? The two cars are identical.
Tamas Giran (Enniscorthy)Dec 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Tamas,
Well, it depends on which version of Zafira each one is. From the detail you’ve given there on the tax costs, I’d suspect that the 141 car has the 2.0 CDTi diesel engine, the 129g/km of CO2 emissions of which would put it in Band B2 for a €280 tax cost. Is the 161 car a 1.4 turbo petrol? Because that version’s 156g/km emissions put it just into the €570 Band D. Or the discrepancy could be down to one having an automatic gearbox, instead of a manual. Without more details, I’m afraid, we can’t be sure.
How much is my 2013 VW Sharan worth?
How much is my 2013 Volkwagen Sharan diesel automatic worth?
Tom Kearney (Bray)Dec 2019 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
It’ll depend on the condition and service history of course, but it should be worth in the region of €10-12,000.
Do I have to fix the stop-start system?
Hi, my auto stop-start stopped working and a symbol keeps on flashing on the dashboard. Will it damage my car if I don’t get it fixed right away? I’ve a Nissan Note.
Sandra Clarkson (Dundee)Dec 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Sandra,
It shouldn't cause any damage, but it could indicate a weakness in your battery or electrical system, so it's best to have it looked at when you can.
Read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature for more information