Will I fit three kids in back of my Duster?
Hi!
I have a 2019 Dacia Duster. I have a 2 and a half year old using a Maxi Cosi Axis seat, which uses the standard three-point belt. I am expecting twins and wondering will I be able to fit two infant seats in addition to my toddler into the back of the Duster?
Thanks.
Una in Meath
Una Farrelly (Meath )Sep 2020 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Una,
Sadly, I suspect not. It's highly unlikely there is enough width on the back seat to accomodate all three. If you already have the infant seats, give it a go to make sure, or bring the car along to a good child seat store and they should help you check it out for size as well.
Please do let us know how you get on.
Looking for a small SUV for my business...
Hi there,
I was thinking of buying a commercial vehicle for work. I am a physiotherapist and do a lot of work outside my clinic premises (football games, home visits, nursing home etc). Are there any commercial vehicles that I could consider? I am not sure I want a pickup, but more a commercial SUV type.
Thanks in advance
Ruth Allen (Meath )Jul 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Ruth,
There are lots of good choices for commercial SUVs. If you wanted something really swish, you could go for a Land Rover Discovery Commercial, but it’s a bit pricey. Smaller and more affordable is the Nissan Qashqai van, which is also pretty decent to drive. There’s also the Hyundai Kona Commercial, or if you’re feeling really futuristic, the Kona Commercial Electric. But actually, to be honest, your best bet might be to just buy a compact crossover, most of which are already pretty affordable, spacious (if you fold the back seats down) and which mostly have lower annual motor tax than the flat-rate €333 commercial van tax anyway. We’d suggest starting your shopping list with either the new Ford Puma or, if you’re really looking for bargains, the Dacia Duster. Some of our reviews to help you choose:
Is this common on Dacia Dusters?
Hi guys,
I am buying a Dacia Duster 162 reg from the UK and the garage says it has to repair a motor for the window washer; is this common?
Cheers
Brian
Brian Chapman (Waterford)Jul 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
We've not heard of a widespread problem with the window washer motor on the Duster so this could be an isolated case. Not really a major worry, especially if it is being sorted before you get the car.
Is the new Dacia Duster safer?
Hi,
I'd like to purchase a 2019 Dacia Duster petrol, but I am concerned about its EuroNCAP safety rating of 2017. I do not find the latest rating for 2019 version. Could you please advise?
Thanks
Abala, Dublin
A Bala (Dublin)Jul 2019 Filed under: safety
Expert answer
Hi Abala,
I'm afraid that the 2019 model is the same one as tested by EuroNCAP in 2017, at this link.
Dacia Duster, Suzuki Vitara or Citroen C3?
I currently have a 162 D Dacia Duster that I want to trade up. Problem is, I don't know what to go for. I was looking at the Suzuki Vitara and also the upgraded Duster and the Citroen C3 crossover, but I don't have a lot of financial power to play around with except the car I have as a bargaining tool. Any suggestions?
Christine Lynch (Dublin)Jan 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Christine,
Well, the new Duster is a pretty good piece of kit and, if you like your current car, then it could be the best bet all round. A Dacia dealer is likely to give you a better trade-in for your current car than would a rival brand, which will help with the finances. The updated Vitara is a very decent car, but it’s noticeably more expensive than the Duster, and that goes ditto for the C3 Aircross.
Why is my Dacia beeping under braking?
My Dacia Logan makes an electronic beeping sound when I hit the brakes (not the handbrake); sometimes it doesn't, sometimes it does, what could be wrong?
Dries Dobbelaere (Brugge)Dec 2018 Filed under: brakes
Expert answer
Hi Dries,
Without seeing this happening and observing if there is also a warning light, it's very difficult to assess from afar so we would recommend bringing the car to a good mechanic to have it looked at.
I wonder though, could it be something to do with the seatbelts not being latched correctly, or something on the other seats that moves during braking and causes the car to think there is someone there without a seatbelt on? Long shot, I know...
Why is my Dacia beeping?
There's a beeping sound while driving my Dacia that sounds randomly for a few seconds. What can it be?
Martin Radford (Westbourne, Emsworth.)Jul 2018 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
I'm afraid that's a tricky one to assess from afar. Usually, any beeping is accompanied by a warning light of some description, so keep an eye out for that. If you can't work out what it is then I suggest you bring the car to a Dacia dealer to look at.
Beeping sound in my Sandero!
My Dacia Sandero Stepway will sometimes make a beeping sound whilst driving but nothing comes up on the dashboard.
Deborah Taylor (Wrexham)Jun 2018 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Deborah,
That sounds to us like one of the safety systems, such as lane-keeping assistance, giving a momentary warning. It probably does show something on the dashboard, but only for a very short amount of time. It's very difficult to assess such a thing from afar, so it's probably best to see if you can replicate conditions that make it happen and then report back to us, or get a good mechanic along to have a look.
Why has my Dacia's power steering failed?
I have a Dacia Sandero Ambiance 1.2 not done 19,000 miles yet. But have lost power steering. The car is three years and two months old. Any idea what the problem could be?
Matthew Green (Galashiels )Feb 2018 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Matthew,
The first thing to check is if the auxiliary drive belt is intact and turning the power steering pump pulley as it should be. Then check the fluid level of the power steering system itself. If both of those things appear fine then we'd suggest you need the services of a good mechanic to take a closer look at the pump and perhaps the steering rack too.
Realistic future value of a Dacia Duster?
Do you know what mark up car dealers enjoy (bonuses excluded)? If I purchase a Dacia Duster Signature for €20,600 and after three years PCP plan a GMV of €8,000 and mileage of 16,000km total, would the secondhand value be €12,000 or more in your opinion? It would be an automatic.
Oliver Mullen
Oliver Mullen (Donacarney Co Meath)Jan 2018 Filed under: resale value
Expert answer
Hi Oliver,
Car dealers generally work on a margin of between two to six per cent, depending on the brand, model and individual dealership. They’ll make a little more on accessories and some optional extras, but that’s about the normal margin across the board.
On the Dacia, yes, a value of €12,000 from an original purchase price of €20,000 would be about right, although it may dip a touch more than that. An automatic probably won’t make a huge difference either way — 50-60 per cent depreciation in the first three years is the norm for all cars.