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How does this Audi A4 sound?

Hi,

I am interested in a Audi A4 automatic 2.0-litre 177hp. The car is a 2015 model with about 72,000 miles on the clock. It is on sale at a garage in a town near by. The sales man is looking for €17,500 for the car. Is this a fair price and is 72,000 miles high for a car of that type? Wexford town is six miles from my home.

Kind regards,

Martin Sheehan.

Martin Sheehan (Wexford)

Aug 2019 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

The price looks reasonable — about in the middle of the road for a 2015 A4, so the true value will depend on the car’s specification and its overall condition. A figure of 72,000 is a very reasonable mileage if it’s in miles (and if it is in miles check to see if the car was imported from the UK — that’s not necessarily a problem but you’d want to be a little more wary about its history if it is an import) and exceptionally low if it’s in kilometres. If it is 72,000 kilometres, rather than miles, I’d actually be slightly suspicious of that figure, as it may have had the clock turned back.

Audis are well-made, and generally very reliable and that 2.0-litre TDI engine is solid, but make sure that it’s had its software recalibrated to reduce its pollutants (the changes that were mandated after the diesel scandal became public) and make sure that it has a full and complete service history — these are complex cars that need looking after, so if there are any gaps in the service record, I’d walk away; there are plenty of other A4s out there.


VRT to import this Vauxhall Corsa?

Please open this link and you will see a Corsa.  The seller is ready to sell that car for €1,500; what will be VRT on that in Ireland?

Muhammad Bilal (Cappoquin County Waterford)

Aug 2019 Filed under: VRT

Expert answer

Hi Muhammad,

It’s a rough guess (you can never quite tell which way Revenue is going to go with some cars), but I’d say you’ll pay between €900 and €1,000 VRT on that.


Is my Jaguar's stop-start ok?

On my new Jaguar E-Pace, the stop-start system only turns the engine off for a maximum of 16 seconds; do you think this acceptable?

R Hill

Robert Hill (Tenbury Wells)

Aug 2019 Filed under: fuel economy and emissions

Expert answer

Hi Robert.

Stop-start systems have a mind of their own — literally. They’re designed to only stop the engine when demand for electrical supply within the car falls low enough that it’s safe to do so. So if you’re running the air conditioning, for instance, or have the heat turned up, or if the engine is still in its warm-up phase, then it will either not shut the engine off at all, or will only shut it off briefly. Driving style also plays into it, as does where and when you’re driving. It also depends on the battery condition, so if you’re concerned about the short stop-start times, it’s worth having the health and charge level of the battery checked.

Finally, as we get so many questions on this subject, we put together a quick feature on it for your interest: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?


Can I rent a DeLorean in Ireland to drive?

Hello!

My name is Kira. My husband and I will travel to Ireland in September. And we would like to take a 2-3 hour ride on the legendary DeLorean DMC-12 in Dublin or Belfast for the experience and cool photos! Dates: ~8-22 September 2019. Tell me, please, is it possible? What documents are needed and how much will it cost?

Thanks for your reply, have a nice day!

Kira Kira (Saint-Petersburg)

Aug 2019 Filed under: miscellaneous

Expert answer

Hi Kira,

There are a couple of places you can hire a DeLorean from, but there are a LOT of terms and conditions to go with it. The first place to try is www.starcarhire.co.uk, which has a Back to the Future-style Deloran available for hire, but which will only chauffeur the car for you — you won’t be able to drive it.

It’s also worth getting in touch with the DeLorean Ireland Owners’ Club at www.delorean.ie as some of its members hire out their cars for special events, and they would certainly be able to point you in the right direction. As for prices, I’m afraid it’s very much a case of you’ll only find out when you ask...


A Toyota a replace my Skoda Superb with?

Hi,

I currently have a Skoda Superb estate, which I find handy for the occasional bulky load. I was thinking of probably changing it for a similar model (having daydreamed of more exotic cars like a Ford Raptor - I'm just not willing to pay the annual road tax). However, there is a view out there that the most reliable cars are Toyotas. Is there a Toyota that would come close to to the Superb estate in terms of load capacity?

Thanks

Philip

Philip Donegan (Ballina)

Aug 2019 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

Well, you’re right about Toyotas being reliable. In fact, if reliability is your ultimate goal, then Toyota, Honda and Subaru are usually your safest bets. That said, Skoda is rarely that far behind the big Japanese names in reliability terms, and often is the best-performing European marque in that regard. In terms of load capacity, the answer is almost, but not quite. The roomiest boot in the in the Toyota range right now belongs to the Corolla Touring Sports estate. Now, this is one of our favourite cars right now — good looking, good to drive and with a seriously frugal and future-proofed hybrid engine, but with a 598-litre boot, it’s some 62 litres short of the Superb Combi. Still worth considering though, as, if you can live without the extra litres in the back, then it’s a more cost-effective purchase than the Skoda.

Another alternative is the new RAV4 Hybrid. Again, this is smaller than the Superb in the back — 580 litres when loaded up to the windows — but the boot is big and square, and again the hybrid engine is frugal and it’s got reliability on its side. 

Worth remembering though that Skoda is refreshing the Superb this year (order books are open now for delivery later in the year) and there will be a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid in fact, this time around, so it might be worth waiting for that before making a final decision.

Relevant reviews:

Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid Touring Sports estate (2019) review

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD-i (2019) review

Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI Evo Combi (2020) review


My Kia Sorento's stop-start isn't working...

Hi,

I have a 2016 Kia Sorento and my stop-start does not work when I brake and come to a stop. The lamp in the dashboard is amber, not green and the stop-start does not activate like it use to.

Abdul Rahman (London)

Aug 2019 Filed under: fault

Expert answer

Hi Abdul,

Stop-start systems can stop working for a variety of reasons, usually to do with battery condition or load. We get so many questions about them that we've put together this feature that you may find of interest:

Why won't my car's stop-start system work?


My Audi A1's stop-start isn't working...

I just bought a 2015 Audi A1 model and the start-stop was working but now it doesn't turn the engine off when I come to a standstill; why is this?

Thanks

Mr S Button

Stewart Button (Bradford)

Aug 2019 Filed under: fault

Expert answer

Hi Stewart,

A lot of cars develop this 'fault' and it's usually to do with battery condition or load. We get so many queries about it that we put together a feature explaining it all that you may find of interest:

Why won't my car's stop-start system work?


Looking for family car for about €17,000...

Looking to buy a five-seat family car with a budget of around €17k. The car will be used mostly for short journey commutes with some long journeys. Currently have 2004 SEAT Alhambra 1.9 TDI. Do about 12 to 13k a year so looking for something reliable and fairly roomy.

Leo OHara (Galway)

Aug 2019 Filed under: family car

Expert answer

Hi Leo,

It kind of depends on how big your kids are and what kind of car seats they need. If you need three individual seats in the back, I’d recommend something like a VW Golf SV or a similar mid-size MPV. Or you could go for another Alhambra of course — it’s a great car. 

I’m assuming you want a change from the Alhambra though, and, MPVs in general, so how about a medium-sized estate? Lots of space, roomy back seat, but smoother and more agile to drive, with better fuel economy. How about a Skoda Superb Combi? Vast boot, massive back seat for packing the kids in and one of the nicest cars on the road. 


Why German plates on some Irish cars?

Why do some cars have German car tax on their plates as well as having Irish car tax disks at the same time?

Brian Pope (Galway)

Jul 2019 Filed under: registration

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

Look closer and you’ll probably see that these are most likely Irish number plates that have been printed in the style of German plates. Some owners of German-built cars do this as an aesthetic thing. It’s totally illegal by the way. “Using vehicle in a public place that has been modified or altered such that authorisation plate is inaccurate” gets you three penalty points. 


Could I afford to insure a 1.9 diesel?

Hi,

I am looking to buy myself a new car soon enough. I am simply waiting to have a full year on my insurance. I got insured on a 1.6-litre petrol Audi A3 Sportback, as my first car, with Axa insurance. The quote was around €3,700. I am looking for a diesel this time and I am wondering what kind of quotes I could be expecting if I try to get insured on a 1.9 diesel this time? There aren't many 1.6 diesel cars around that I would like to get.

Thanks!

Kris M (Dublin)

Jul 2019 Filed under: insurance

Expert answer

Hi Kris,

The problem is that Irish insurers are a bit blunt-force when it comes to deciding their rates, and generally speaking (and completely erroneously) they simply tend to go by engine size. So even though there are plenty of older 1.9-2.0-litre diesel engines with similar power outputs to a more modern 1.6, they’ll probably quote you more just because it’s a bigger engine. Stupid, but then that pretty much sums up the insurance industry in Ireland. All I can suggest is either biting the bullet and getting a 1.6 that maybe you’re not as keen on, or finding a really good local broker who can help you track down quotes that us mere mortals can’t find. 


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