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What is the scrap value of a 2001 Toyota Corolla saloon?

What is the scrap value of a 2001 Toyota Corolla saloon?

Jerry Hough (Nenagh )

Jun 2015 Filed under: scrappage

Expert answer

Hi Jerry,

It depends. If you roll it up to a Nissan, Peuegot or Opel dealer in the next few weeks, then it could be worth as much as €4,500 off a new car. As a pure scrap value, at a breakers, it depends entirely on the condition of the car and the various parts that can be stripped from it.


What do you think of dealer delivery charges?

Hi,

What are your views on the lack of transparency of dealers' delivery and related charges that get added to the brochure price of cars? Surely it is in the consumer's best interest to know the actual price of a car up front?

Regards Paul

Blessington Co. Wicklow

Paul Vickers (Blessington)

Jun 2015 Filed under: miscellaneous

Expert answer

Hi Paul,

Yes, you're right. It should be like that and there should be no more of this 'ex-works' cod-ology and everything should be given a simple on-the-road price. 

As ever, it's never that simple though. Dealers like to have 'Delivery and Related Charges' because it gives  them some wiggle room to offer discounts and money off. Also, the Competition Authority generally takes a dim view of car makers imposing specific charges on dealers for delivery etc, as it's seen as being anti-competitive.

Good old Ireland, eh?


Is my Nissan Micra's head gasket gone?

I have a 2003 Nissan Micra 1.2 and I am forever putting coolant in it. The person I bought it off said it was the radiator and replaced it but, I have since taken it to another person for them to tell me it's the head gasket and will cost me the price of a new engine if that is the case. I have no water oil mixing just the temp light coming on so I add coolant.

Any help appreciated

Laura Maher (Laois)

Jun 2015 Filed under: fault

Expert answer

Hi Laura,

I'm afraid there doesn't have to be visible water/oil mixing for there to be a head gasket problem so that may well be the issue. Before going to get that work done you should park the car somewhere dry and clean underneath and let it run and keep an eye under the engine. Are there any visible water leaks? It could be as simple as that.

If not, bring the car to a garage to have the system pressure-tested etc. Don't delay though; if the head gasket is gone and you continue to drive it, you really could do a lot of damage.

Best of luck


SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia or Volkswagen Golf?

Which car is the best secondhand buy: SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia or Volkswagen Golf? I just changed jobs and need a new car. I'll be doing 25-30,000km a year so I'm only really looking at diesels in the 2005-2008 bracket. Which of the cars is best value for money in fuel efficency, cheapest repairs, car longevity etc. Any tips on what I should look out for when buying or any other cars you would suggest?

Cormac Mc Cashin (Maynooth)

Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Cormac,

Go with the Octavia or the SEAT - both are comfy for long journeys, frugal on diesel as long as you go for the 1.6 TDI and both should work out a little bit cheaper to service and run than the Golf, if only fractionally. It's worth shopping around to see if anyone has any inclusive service or extended second hand warranty offers on the go - both can save you a fortune further down the line.


What small to medium auto car would suit me?

I need a medium/small automatic car with high seats, with air conditioning, mirrors that turn in when parking. What do you recommend?

Pauline Roberts (Dun Laoghaire)

Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Pauline,

I think your best bet is to go for a Honda Civic 1.4 EX with the CVT automatic transmission. High seats, lots of space, comfortable, frugal, reliable and yes it has standard folding electric mirrors in that spec.

Honda Civic review


Which seven-seater is is safest?

Which seven-seater is safest?

Sinead Sinclair Sinclair (Dublin)

Jun 2015 Filed under: safety

Expert answer

Hi Sinead,

Probably the Volvo XC90 - whatever about EuroNCAP scores, Volvo always makes its cars real-world safe, basing its design on data taken from actual, real accidents and not just lab testing.

If you mean something a bit more conventional and cheaper than an XC90, then according to EuroNCAP the best performing are the Volkswagen Sharan and SEAT Alhambra, both of which scored a maximum five stars, with the Sharan getting a 96 per cent mark for adult occupant protection, 80 per cent for kids, 46 per cent pedestrian protection and 71 per cent safety assist. The Alhambra's marks were identical.

Relevant reviews:

Volvo XC90 review

SEAT Alhambra review


Are parts for Saabs becoming expensive?

I'm thinking of buying a 2007 Saab 9-3 Linear Sport, 1.9 diesel. It's in good condition and seems to be a very good price, but I'm told parts for Saabs are becoming ridiculously expensive and that's why you can purchase them so cheaply. Can you shed any light on this?

Jules Hickson (Dublin)

Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Jules,

You could be on to something there alright. The 9-3 is generally a pretty reliable car, although you have to watch carefully for things like engine ECU problems (if it's slow to fire up or runs sluggish then walk away) and gearbox and clutch issues. 

As for parts - there is definitely a price difference. A quick trawl of the listings over at micksgarage.ie will show you that, for instance, a replacement front wing for the 9-3 will cost you €114 whereas the same part for a contemporary BMW 3 Series will only set you back €70.  That's not the case right across the board for all parts but there is definitely a premium charged for Saab bits.


How much VRT will I pay on importing a Kia cee'd?

Hi,

I'm thinking of purchasing a Kia cee'd from the UK and the only information I have is that it is a 2010 model with 36,000 miles on the clock and will be five years old this coming December. Could you please give me some sort of idea regards the VRT I would have to pay to bring it into R.O.I?

John

John Hewitt (Nenagh)

Jun 2015 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi John,

You'll need to know its CO2 emissions rating to work out the VRT you'll have to pay. If you have its registration number in the UK you should be able to get that from the Cartell.ie website, where you can also do a full history check on the car for a small fee.


Thinking of buying a 2007 Peugeot 407.

Thinking of buying a 2007 Peugeot 407. Full service history and Cartell.ie report available, 48k miles on the clock. NCT to May 2017. Cost is €3,900. This seems low. Am I missing something and why are used Peugeots cheaper than other cars of same year?

Aiden Watkin (Dublin )

May 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Aiden,

No, you're not missing anything. French cars, and big French saloons in particular, always suffer staggering depreciation and the 407 is not a car that's especially loved by the used trade. 

There's nothing much mechanically wrong with them but make sure you check that all of the electrical bits and pieces are working, and check the cabin for loose or ill-fitting pieces of trim. Then check the suspension, especially at the front, for any damage. Listen for clonking or knocking noises and check the tyres for signs of uneven wear.


Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson or Nissan X-Trail?

2005 - 2007 Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson or Nissan X-Trail - low mileage use as a second car. Which would you recommend? Any issues to look out for with these?

Many thanks, Ben from Limerick

Ben McMahon (Limerick)

May 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Ben,

OK, first off, if it's a second car for short journeys and low mileages, go and track down a petrol model. That shouldn't be too hard if you're looking pre-2008, and it will save you from getting diesel particulate filter problems later.

Of the three, the Tuscon would probably be the most painless to own - it has a great reliability record and the 2.0-litre petrol version is decently frugal. Worth looking at a Kia Sportage of the same vintage too - it's mechanically identical and, to our eyes, slightly better looking.

I'd avoid the RAV4. That generation of RAV was very short on refinement and they tend to need clutch and flywheel replacements as the miles build up. Not a patch on the current, much more sophisticated RAV4.

The X-Trail is well worth a look too. You might struggle to track down the rare 2.0-litre petrol version, but it's worth doing so - it's more reliable than the diesel version and, as long as you go for the second-generation X-Trail, introduced in 2007, you're getting a massively spacious car that's surprisingly good to drive. Be picky though - it has to be that second-gen model, as the first X-Trail was a bit underwhelming. If you can't find a nice one, revert to the Tucson or Sportage.


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