Is a Peugeot 607 202 HDi a reliable car?
Is a Peugeot 607 202 HDi a reliable car (low mileage)?
Gerry Mulligan (Ballina)Nov 2015 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
Apparently so, yes. You'll need to check and make sure that all of the electrical bits and pieces are working properly, but the 607 seems to have been a remarkably well made car and doesn't seem to suffer much from reliability wobbles. Just make sure it's been looked after properly.
What do you think of the Dacia Sandero?
What do you think of the Dacia Sandero 1.5 diesel?
Martin Murray (Ennis)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
The Sandero is one of those ‘Ronseal’ cars – it does what it says on the tin, and the tin is pretty cheap. It’s a very simple, small hatchback that’s long on value but short on refinement or excitement. The front is perfectly comfy for a long journey but the back seats are rather cramped if you’re trying to squeeze taller passengers or kids in big car seats in. It’s a solid, practical and pretty reliable thing though. Nothing wrong with it, and at that price point, that’s the point. The diesel though? It’s a very good engine, that 1.5, but in a car like the Sandero you’re probably better off going for either the basic 1.2 or the really impressive 900cc turbo petrols as you’ll be a long time getting the extra purchase price of the diesel back in fuel savings.
Toyota Auris or Renault Clio, with €10,000 to spend?
Hi, I am looking to buy a second hand car with a budget of €9000-10,000. I will be driving an average of 10,000 miles per year. I looked at a 2010 Toyota Auris petrol for €9,000, but have been told that this car is not very fuel efficient. I was looking at a 2014 Renault Clio petrol for €10,500, but again am unsure as to the fuel efficiency. Which of these two cars would you recommend and are there any others you could suggest that would be suitable for the mileage I will be doing and my price range?
Thanks
Louise Donovan (Limerick)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Louise,
You're looking at two very different cars - the Auris is considerably larger and more practical than the Clio, but both are actually pretty frugal. The 1.4 VVTi petrol or 1.33 VVTi petrol in the Auris is actually quite economical, as long as you drive it with reasonable care: 45mpg should be easily achieved in daily driving.
How best to import my car from the UK?
Hi, I'm an EU citizen, I lived 10 years in London, UK. I have my own car on GB plates, a 15 year-old Ford Mondeo 2.5 V6 automatic. I have a long MOT on this car. I have owned this car about four months, I have previous insurance, history, etc. What is the best way to register the car in Ireland? Will the MOT be accepted if I have 11 months left?
Thanks,
Laszlo
Laszlo Szabo (Clonbur)Nov 2015 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Laszlo,
I'm afraid not. When you import the car into Ireland it will have to pass through an NCT (National Car Test - our equivalent of the MOT) before it can be legally registered here. That shouldn't be a problem though - any car that can pass an MOT should also pass an NCT. The problem is that because you have owned the car for less than six months, you'll get caught for Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) when you bring it in to the country - and on a 2.5-litre V6 engine that's going to be 36 per cent of what the Revenue Commissioners judge the vehicle's market value to be. This could get very expensive and you might be better off selling the car before you move and buying something new here.
What do you think of the Renault Fluence?
I am thinking of buying a 2012 Renault Fluence dCi 90 Dynamique . What do you think of this car?
Michael Mc Nabb (Dublin)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
If you're going to get one, make sure you get it at a rock-bottom price. Because Renault sold most Fluences at a savage discount the residual values are very poor. As a car, it's OK - comfy and spacious and frugal but not much fun to drive.
Will I go for a petrol or diesel Golf?
Should I go for a 1.9 SE TDI diesel or 1.6 S petrol? Mainly short journeys <16 miles per day on country roads, but occasional (three times per annum) long motorway journeys > 200 miles What should I do?
Amanda Spivack (Cambridge)Nov 2015 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Amanda,
I'm guessing you're looking at a Golf? I'd say go for the 1.6. It'll be cheaper to buy up front than the diesel and your longer trips really aren't all that long. Driven with a bit of care, that 1.6 should still get well over 40mpg.
Should I go diesel on a new car in 2016?
Hi guys,
I currently drive a 2011 1.4 TSI petrol Volkswagen Passat, which I am very happy with. I'm thinking of changing my car in 2016 and wondering if I should consider switching to a diesel Passat. I currently drive 32km every day to work, 16km each way, but this is done on the M50 so do you think it would be in my interests to switch?
Brendan Cullen (Knocklyon)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
Nope, I'd stick with petrol. With that kind of mileage you're just not going to get the benefit from diesel. Check out the new Passat 1.4 TSI or, alternatively, the Ford Mondeo 1.5 EcoBoost, Skoda Superb 1.4 TSI or Mazda6 2.0 SkyActiv-G petrol.
Tell me more about the 151 Renault Clio.
What is the price of 151 Renault Clio and does it have power steering? Do you have to turn on the lights manually?
Grace Griffin (Co. Dublin)Oct 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Grace,
Clio prices start from €15,730 and yes, they all have power steering. All models come with daytime running lights, which illuminate automatically, but if you want automatic, dusk-sensing headlights you'll have to upgrade to a €17,230 Dynamique Nav model.
Do I need to pay VAT on importing this Peugeot?
Hi,
I am thinking about importing a Peugeot 508 from the UK. They will sell it to me VAT free. It was "pre-registered" by the dealer, but never sold. It has only 100 miles on the clock but as it is over a year old is it liable for Irish VAT?
Thanks,
John.
John Madden (Carndonagh)Oct 2015 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi John,
Yup, you'll have to pay the VAT I'm afraid. The rule says that if a car is less than six months old or has less than 6,000km on the clock, it's liable for Irish VAT upon entry into the state. You'll be charged it along with your Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) at the time of inspection.
Are newer Volkswagens free of the 'defeat device'?
Are new generation Volkswagen diesels free of "defeat device" software? I heard a radio report saying that the newer engines may have a similar device to the one fitted to the EA189 engines
Gary Murray (Dublin)Oct 2015 Filed under: recall
Expert answer
Hi Gary,
Volkswagen has confirmed that, following investigations, the EA288 engines, designed for EU5 and EU6 compliance, are not affected by the scandal surrounding the EA186 engines. In other words, the current Volkswagen diesel engines are fine and have been given a clean bill of health. If you've any lingering doubts over a car that you own, go to http://www.campaigncheck.ie and enter your reg number.