Does my car need to drive to avail of scrappage?
My husband is doing a scrappage scheme with a garage. Deposit is already paid. We have been away and my husband went to start his car and it won't start. The garage said in order to avail of the scrappage scheme you have to be able to drive car to garage. Is this true?
Frances O' Driscoll (Stepaside,)Jul 2015 Filed under: scrappage
Expert answer
Hi Frances,
In most cases yes, it's true. Maybe find a good, cheap local mechanic who can bodge something together to keep it running long enough to get it there?
Have you any information on the Audi Q2?
Have you any information on the Audi Q2?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Jul 2015 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi F D,
The Audi Q2 won't actually be called the Q2, it'll be called the Q1. Why? Because Fiat owns the rights to the Q2 badge and won't let Audi play with its ball. So the Q1 will sit beneath the existing Q3, and will be based on the same MQB chassis system that currently underpins almost everything Volkswagen, from Golf to A3 to Passat to Superb. The next Q3 will get a little bigger too, to make some space for the Q1. Expect the Q1 to skew a little more towards an estate, crossover-y body style, leaving the Q3 to be taller and blockier and more SUV-ish.
We have no official word on engines yet but as it's MQB-based expect 1.4 turbo petrol and 1.6- and 2.0-litre TDI diesel, with an SQ1 sports variant using either a tweaked diesel or 230hp petrol turbo. It'll go on sale in 2016 and we'd expect to see a full production model at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Can you help me find insurance for my older car?
Hi there, it's John Hewitt again!
I'm desperate to get some reasonably priced insurance for my car. The situation is that I own a Renault 19 TR in excellent condition but because it's 24 years old (March 1990) and I use it as my main vehicle it can't come under classic car insurance and no other insurance company will insure it! I'm currently insured with Aviva and have been since 2003, 65 years of age, never made a claim, do less than 3,000 miles a year and have a clean driver's licence yet they still 'hammer' me every year. What price loyalty eh?
In normal circumstances I'd go elsewhere but they know I can't because no one else will insure me just because I use my vehicle on a regular basis. Can you please help me at all?
John Hewitt (Nenagh)Jul 2015 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi John,
Sorry to hear you're still having trouble, but if it helps, you're not alone. Aviva (along with Allianz) have announced that they're no longer going to provide cover for new customers with cars older than 14 years. Now, in a statement last week, the company did say that it would continue to cover existing customers with such cars, and would provide cover for existing customers purchasing such cars, but from what you're saying there it seems that Aviva simply doesn't want your business anymore and is therefore giving you quotes deigned to push you into either replacing your car with something younger or moving to another insurer.
Thankfully there are plenty of such insurers out there, so I'd say give customer loyalty a good kick up the backside (it's a worthless thing these days anyway) and get yourself a better quote from elsewhere. There are insurers out there who will cover you. I've just put a few random details into the One Direct system for instance and got a quote of €840. Too expensive? You'll just have to shop around but the best bet for you could actually be to find a good local insurance broker - they can get access to deals and policies denied to us mere mortals. Beware though, the unfortunate and inevitable downside of Avivia and Allianz's decision is that other insurers are going to start putting extra risk loadings on older cars, so your premium is probably going to be pretty expensive wherever you go.
A representative of AXA insurance asked to be put in touch with you, so hopefully that goes well.
Can I use the same parts on a petrol and diesel Ford Focus?
Would a front panel of a diesel Ford Focus fit a petrol model?
Shaun Lafferty (Creeslough )Jul 2015 Filed under: crashed cars
Expert answer
Hi Shaun,
Yes it would - there is no difference.
What do you think of this Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Hi.
I want to buy a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Elegance automatic 2.7 CDI. First of all is it a good car? The lift pump is broken in the car I am looking at so when it gets to half tank it cuts off and it also have a malfunction of the light sensor. It has 173,000km on the clock.
Simon Hlati (Capetown)Jul 2015 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Simon,
If say it's best avoided. Mercedes E-Classes from that generation were notoriously troublesome and if this one is already giving bother then it's probably not going to stop even if you get those items fixed. Find one that's been cared for, with a proper service history, and you might be OK.
How economical is the Audi Q3?
How many miles to the gallon does the Audi Q3 do?
Pat Cronin (Bantry)Expert answer
Hi Pat,
Depends which model and engine you're talking about. The best TDI diesel front-wheel drive version officially returns 64.2mpg (4.4 litres/100km), while the petrol models (RS variant aside) use as much as 6.6 litres/100km (42.8mpg).
As always, few people will ever achieve the official figures, but it gives you something to compare the Q3 with its rivals.
What's the most reliable 2010 diesel car?
What is the best diesel engine in a 2010 car? Tax and mpg don't bother me, just relilability. I am doing 35,000km per year. I don't care about the make, but it has to have four doors.
John Scanlon (Bantry)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
If its reliability you need get a Honda. Either a Civic with the 2.2 or 1.6 diesel will do nicely and you should get 60mpg from it.
Will a Hyundai i40 cost more to run than my Golf?
Hi, I'm thinking of changing my car. It's a 2008 Volkswagen Golf 1.4 petrol and I'm thinking of buying a Hyundai i40 1.7 diesel. As this is a bigger car does that mean it would cost more to run on fuel than my own car?
Irene Odonovan (Kerry)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Irene,
Engine size means less than it used to, especially when comparing a petrol engine to a diesel one. That Hyundai will be more economical and cheaper to tax than the 1.4 petrol Golf from 2008. Saying that, if most of your driving is in town there won't be a big advantage for the diesel, but it should still use less fuel overall.
A larger car such as the i40 is likely to be a bit heavier on things like tyres, but it's newer than your Golf so shouldn't need tyres for a while.
Hope that all helps
Petrol or diesel for an imported Volvo V40?
I am looking at buying a Volvo V40 import from UK, but want to know should I go for petrol or diesel as I only do between 12,000- and 15,000 miles a year. I love the V40 D2 but probably not practical with the low mileage I do and I think the V40 petrol only comes in a 2.0-litre. would it be economical or would I be better just going for a Ford Focus EcoBoost instead? I know they are complete worlds apart but I don't want to get the V40 petrol if it will be costly to run either.
Mary Boyle (Belturbet)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Karena,
You're right on the edge for choosing between petrol and diesel. If those miles are mostly on the motorway then diesel may still make sense, but if they're mostly at low speeds then you're right in considering petrol.
Now, the Volvo V40 is a fine choice, but I'm not sure what year you're looking at, as the latest petrol models are powered by a relatively efficient turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, badged either T2 or T3. The EcoBoost Focus is also a cracking car. Try to get a test drive in a few before you decide and come back to us if you need more assistance.
Can you confirm if the Toyota Avensis has a timing chain?
Does the 2010 Toyota Avensis D-4D have a timing belt or chain? I looked at the engine and can see a belt but online says it has a chain.
T Prendergast (Belturbet)Jul 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi there,
Timing belts and chains are both hidden from view/trapping hands by sturdy covers so you won't see it by looking under the bonnet; you probably saw one of the ancillary belts for the alternator, power steering or air conditioning.
We've checked with Toyota and that Avensis has a timing chain.