We need advice on a faulty car...
Hi,
We need advice on where or what to do next. We bought a 132 VW Passat 1.6 TDI on the 7/4/17 from a dealer for €11,500. Well pleased until five weeks ago when the car had a fire (a fuse went on fire) and burned all the fuses and fuse box to a crisp. The warranty crowd wouldn't cover the damage as it's an electrical fault, but after much rowing and threats of a solicitor the garage said they would cover the damage and put in a new wiring loom and fuse box .
We collected the car last Thursday from a different garage, as the one we bought it from sends all its cars to this crowd for any work that needs doing. The car drove grand for two days and then problems started intermittingly, wipers packed up, power steering stopped working, airbag lights on dash, central locking going mad, windows dropping, etc. Then on Monday, the car refused to start so I checked the fuses (driver's side) and noticed there was no new wiring loom put into the car and all the cables were soldered onto a new fuse box.
The car was recovered last night for it to be fixed again. This car is now unfit for purpose and we have lost all faith in it. I can't really afford a solicitor at €150 an hour. Where do we go from here?
Please help!
Ruairi Mc Carthy (Mullagh Co Cavan)Oct 2017 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi Ruairi,
Oh, that’s just not good, and I’m worrying that you may well actually need a solicitor at this point, especially as clearly one garage or other has reneged on what they told you they were going to do. Did you get, in writing, the assurance that a new wiring loom was going to be installed in the car? That would be helpful.
Basically, under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, either the car or the repair was clearly not ‘of merchantable quality’ and you are entitled, under consumer law, to a full replacement or refund. Car dealers will often try and squirm out of that, but if they do I suggest you tell them you’re going to take it to the small claims court (where there’s no need for a solicitor). If that doesn’t get them moving, then it’s time to get the lawyers in.
Petrol or diesel in a new Mondeo?
Living in Dublin and drive under 10,000 miles per annum, does a 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol make more sense than a 2.0-litre 150hp diesel? Does a new 181 model make sense versus a circa 161 at €10k less? Seems to be a better selection of 151-162 models in Northern Ireland - is this a good option to pursue?
Thank you
Mike
Mike Barry (Dublin)Oct 2017 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
Is that a Mondeo you’re looking at? Yes, with your mileage and driving conditions, a 1.5-litre EcoBoost makes total sense. In fact, if it is the Mondeo, it’s the nicest engine in the line-up. It’s definitely a good idea to have a look up North — there are some very good cars around, and you can save several thousand Euro, but just be wary of vehicle history and make sure you do a very thorough history and background check (with someone such as Cartell.ie) before you hand over any money.
Can you suggest a car to suit our needs?
Might be looking for a car that doesn’t exist, but we’re hoping to find something that’s easy for elderly parents to get in and out of; handsome looking; economical (ideally a hybrid); could easily take child seats; reliable; and have all the mod cons - reverse camera, heated seats etc. Can you help?!
Thanks!
Aisling Costelloe (Dublin 7 )Oct 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Aisling,
OK, that’s a very particular set of criteria, and I think realistically only three cars match it — the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the Toyota C-HR Hybrid and the Kia Niro hybrid. Of those three, I think that it’s the Kia that comes closest to matching your needs, as the RAV4 might actually be a bit too tall for your parents, while the C-HR might be too tight in the back. The Niro’s actually quite a decent car, although totally unexciting to drive. If that doesn’t matter much to you, go check one out. Here are our reviews:
Which hybrids etc to look for new in 2018?
Currently driving a 142 Opel Insignia Sports Tourer 2.0-litre diesel with a view to upgrading in 2018. What hybrids/electric cars/SUVs are worth considering as an alternative, but will still give me the space I need as opposed to driving a box?
I mainly drive around my local town (Waterford) and surrounding areas during the week then at weekends I travel long distances going to hurling/rugby games in and around the Munster region.
Thanks
Ray
Ray Power (Waterford)Sep 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ray,
If you fancy a hybrid, then the best current model is the Toyota Prius. Its looks may divide opinion, but it is exceptionally economical, even on a long motorway run, and it has a roomy, comfortable cabin. Read our Toyota Prius review here.
If you fancy something a little more prestigious, then how about the Lexus IS 300h? Not quite as spacious as the Opel you have, but with exceptional build quality, decent economy and terrific refinement. Read our Lexus IS 300h review here.
BMW”s 330e plugin hybrid is another good contender, as is Volkswagen’s Passat GTE, but they’re both quite pricey and work better in downtown than they do on the open road. As far as hybrid SUVs go, Toyota’s C-HR is lovely, but rather small inside, so it may be worth waiting for Honda to launch its new CR-V hybrid next year. More reviews for you:
Will Audi Ireland honour an import warranty?
Hi, just wondering if you know if Audi Ireland will honour remaining warranty on a demo imported from an Audi dealer in the UK?
Leo
Leo Forde (Meath)Sep 2017 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi Leo,
Yes, they will. Warranties on new cars are almost invariably pan-European, and backed by the factory in Germany, so as long as it’s under the original factory warranty, a dealer in Ireland should have no trouble honouring it. It would only be where the UK dealer was offering a specific warranty on an older car that you would normally have an issue.
Will hybrid VRT relief change in the Budget?
I would welcome your opinion on the upcoming 2018 Irish Budget in November. The current VRT relief on hybrid cars is €1,500. In light of current poor sales of hybrid cars in Ireland (two per cent of total Irish sales), do you see them raising this value or could they possibly withdraw it?
I ask this because I am planning to purchase a hybrid for 181 and I would like to take advantage of the 'increased' value.
Michael Carey (Letterkenny)Aug 2017 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
I would expect to see little to no change in the hybrid subvention in the coming budget. Although there will be some pressure to incentivise low-emissions cars that aren’t diesel, the focus will probably be more on higher incentives for battery-electric cars, and possible plugin hybrids, and some changes to the reclaiming of VAT on petrol for company users. The Department of Finance will be well aware that there is a huge number of new hybrid cars due for launch, and they won’t want to risk a fall-off in revenue by increasing the subvention, so I think, at this point, it’s unlikely to change very much.
Will there be Budget changes for 2018 VRT?
Budget 2018 and the hybrid reduction amount of €1,500 on a new Kia Niro: in your opinion. would you expect this figure (VRT reduction) to increase, based on the fact that hybrids have not been selling very well this year (two per cent of total sales in Ireland), and the government needs to encourage hybrid sales. Hence, I would wait until the budget is announced before buying my 2018.
Thanking you as always for your expert opinion.
Michael Carey (Letterkenny)Aug 2017 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi again Michael,
Our answer on your other question is relevant here too: I would expect to see little to no change in the hybrid subvention in the coming budget. Although there will be some pressure to incentivise low-emissions cars that aren’t diesel, the focus will probably be more on higher incentives for battery-electric cars, and possible plugin hybrids, and some changes to the reclaiming of VAT on petrol for company users. The Department of Finance will be well aware that there is a huge number of new hybrid cars due for launch, and they won’t want to risk a fall-off in revenue by increasing the subvention, so I think, at this point, it’s unlikely to change very much.
What are the Irish motor tax bands?
What are the Irish motor tax bands for new cars in Ireland?
Johnson Thoppilan (Angamaly)Aug 2017 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Johnson,
The current motor tax bands run from A to G, based on the CO2 emissions of the vehicle, with bands A and B — the ones into which the majority of cars on sale fit — split into sub-bands.
A starts with an electric-only band of A0 (which costs €120 a year) and then goes to A1 (up to 80g/km at €170 a year), A2 (80-100g/km, €180), A3 (100 - 110g/km, €190) and A4 (110-120g/km, €200).
Band B is spilt into B1 (120-130g/km, €270) and B2 (130-140g/km, €280).
After that it’s Band C (140-155g/km, €390), Band D (155-170g/km, €570), Band E (170-190g/km, €750), Band F (190-225g/km, €1,200) and Band G (over 225g/km, €2,350).
Why are cars not properly changed to RHD?
Hi! Hope you're well and hope you don't mind having a read of my rant to see what you think.
I'm wondering lately what is it with car manufacturers, in particular European ones, who in recent years have decided to skimp on doing full right-hand-drive conversions on their cars. For example, in the current Skoda Octavia, the bonnet release is on the left, as it was designed to be. The access buttons for the stereo are also to the left for easy access by the driver. If you take a look at the right-hand-drive model though you see the handbrake, bonnet release and stereo controls still placed for the left-hand-drive market. Same applies to the latest Golf; Volkswagen has been doing that with the Golf since the MK3 model.
And marques outside of VAG are also guilty - in particular Renault and Peugeot stand out as prime offenders for this - so much so as not bothering to convert the wipers to the right side. It looks so lazy - and I presume it's saving a meager sum on each car sold. You'd know this is the case as the premium brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes still go to the trouble of doing the conversions properly - but what's frustrating is that Skoda was doing proper conversions until recently. Their MK2 Octavia, sold until 2013, had it done properly. So it's a shame to see it going in the wrong direction.
Is there any way you could run this by your people in the motoring industry? I love new cars, but I'm sure most people would be willing to pay the extra €100 per car or whatever it is to have it as intended for the market. I'm sure some acknowledgement of it might make them reconsider. The poor attempts at the minute look very, very shoddy and I wish they'd give us the same attention as they do the left-hand-drive world.
Thank you for reading. I know - first world problems right?
Colin Moynihan (Waterford)Aug 2017 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Colin,
Yup, first world problem right enough, and actually not a new phenomenon at all. The old left-hand-drive-right-hand-drive swapover has been done better and worse by various car makers down the years, and it varies hugely from model to model. Anyone who’s driven a Mazda RX-8, and found the handbrake digging into their left thigh, for example, will have no doubts that even the Japanese, in spite of their right-hand-drive home market, often design cars for left-hand drive and then switch things around on the cheap.
Generally speaking, there should be no safety issues from the switch (wipers, as you point out, should really be swapped across and I can’t think of a model in recent years that hasn’t had that) although there was the old issue with the second generation Renault Megane that used a rod to switch the brakes across and which could still be activated by a passenger poking their shoes into the footwell…
As you point out, some buttons, switches, etc are often left the same and it’s all down to the investment needed to swap them around and the likely return on sales from right-hand-drive markets. Car makers do the maths very carefully, and while you’re right that it might only be €100 a car, that’s a multi-million up front investment, and one with no guaranteed return.
Incidentally, if you think it’s bad now, wait until after Brexit — if the UK car market slips, then the business case for right-hand-drive cars will fall further still.
Which of these Toyota Avensis to go for?
Thinking of buying one of the two cars mentioned below:
2009 2.0-litre Toyota Avensis D-4D Luna four-door with 145,000km on the odometer or 2010 2.0-litre Toyota Avensis Strata with 87,000km on the odometer. The 2010 model is €995 dearer, but with a difference of 58,000km on the odometer it might be a better buy? Both are diesel. Other than a lower mileage, do you have an opinion which is better? Also what is the max mileage one can expect to get over the lifetime of this car
Many thanks. Marlen
Marlen Carvalho (Wicklow)Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Marlen,
It's impossible for us to accurately assess a car that we haven't seen, but for a small premium such as that it could well be worth having the newer car. That said, one should never buy on age and mileage, but on condition and history, so go for whichever one is in better condition and which has the more complete service history.
As for potential mileage, if you keep a car properly serviced and cared for (Toyotas especially so) the sky's the limit...