Why won't my Skoda Octavia petrol restart?
My 2004 Skoda Octavia petrol engine died and would not restart. It has a good battery. Any ideas?
Terry Coogan (Dublin)Apr 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Terry,
It's very difficult to assess such an issue from afar I'm afraid. Is the engine turning over (i.e. the starting motor is fine)? Is there fuel in the tank? Is the fuel pump in the tank working? Is there spark? Has a sensor failed and there's an electronic problem?
You'll have to bring the car to a mechanic I'm afraid. Best of luck with it.
Looking for a small to medium reliable family car.
Looking for a small to medium reliable family car. Comfort, fuel efficient, and low tax a consideration.
Mai Murphy (Cork)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mai,
OK, lots to choose from here. Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Toyota Auris are all ever popular and all with very good reason. They're reliable (the Toyota scoring best here), beautifully made (the Golf come out top in this category) and nice to drive (the Focus wins here). Lots of all three about so you can afford to be picky. Fancy something a bit different? Try a Honda Civic, especially the 1.6 i-DTEC diesel version, which is possibly the best compact diesel engine around.
Also well worth a look are the Kia cee'd (especially the handsome and practical estate version) and the current model of the Peugeot 308 (ditto on the estate version there).
Relevant reviews:
Should I go for this new Toyota RAV4?
Hi, could I have your opinion please? I'm thinking of buying a Toyota RAV4 2.0 diesel 2wd Luna. Dealer has said can be on the road for €31,500. Price includes trade-in of my 1995 RAV4 that is in in good condition apart from corrosion underneath and is around 130k mileage.
Thanks, Breda Ryan, Limerick
Breda Ryan (Limerick)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Breda,
Sounds like a good one to me. The new RAV4 is an especially nice car - comfy, spacious and good to drive and that price looks decently sharp too.
Relevant reviews:
What is a 1997 Volkswagen Polo Saloon worth?
What is a 1997 Volkswagen Polo Saloon worth with the 1.4 engine and just 55,160 miles on the clock?
Catherine Elkin (Dublin)Apr 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
Not much I'm afraid - probably about €700 to €1,000.
Why has the engine light come on in my Nissan Almera?
I have a 2006 Nissan Almera 1.5 petrol. Today the engine light came on and I lost power. It has struggled to start since. What do I do?
Daniel Kavanagh (Dublin)Apr 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Daniel,
I'm afraid that it's not possible to analyse that sort of problem from afar. You need to get the car into a garage and hooked up to a diagnostic machine. That'll result in an error code to help the mechanic identify the cause of the problem. It's most likely a sensor of some description, but it needs to be recitifed in any case.
Let us know how you get on
Should I be worried about buying a Vauxhall Insignia import?
I'm thinking of buying a 2009 Vauxhall Insignia diesel 2.0-litre, a UK import. Having read about the Service Update from Opel that relates to 2009 diesel Opel Insignias re: power pressure pipes that may crack and leak... should I be worried?
Lorraine O'Toole (Kildare)Apr 2015 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Lorraine,
It shouldn't be a problem. A 'Service Update' is just a nice way of saying 'Recall' so the work should have been carried out by the previous owner, free of charge. Check the service history to see if it's been done, and maybe call the garage that worked on it to make sure. If it hasn't been done, it's still no problem - any Opel dealer should carry out the work free of charge.
Also, for UK imports in particular, we'd always recommend that you get a Cartell.ie car history check to ensure the mileage and history are legit and that there is no finance outstanding on the car.
What should I look out for in buying a Honda CR-V?
Hi, I am thinking about getting a Honda CR-V, 2007 petrol model as I do little mileage but need some flexability for kids and dirt track capability (nothing too taxing!) as I do some photography. What should I look out for when considering this vehicle?
Thanks in advance.
Rgds Mike
Michael Cooney (Galway)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
Actually an ideal car for what you need by the sounds of it. Generally Hondas are near-faultlessly reliable but you do need to watch for a few things on the CR-V. Alternators can give bother, as can the air conditioning and some of the interior trim can be a bit fragile.
Also, check to make sure that any previous owners haven't gotten too ambitious with the off-roading and damaged the underside.
Will a Volkswagen Passat's alloys fit a Golf?
Will 16-inch alloys from a 2008 Volkswagen Passat fit onto an 08 Golf?
Anthony Torpey (Limerick)Apr 2015 Filed under: aftermarket
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
It’s unlikely we think. The Passat wheel hubs are actually shared with the Audi A4 and not the Golf, so the spacing of the wheel studs is slightly different. One can always try, of course...
How much VRT would a Volkswagen Tiguan attract?
How much in VRT would it cost me to bring in a Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 petrol from Northern Ireland?
Derek Yeates Yeates (Limerick)Apr 2015 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Derek,
It depends on which model and what year for a start. Assuming that you're looking at a 2012 version, that has CO2 emissions of 156g/km so the VRT is going to be 27 per cent of what the Revenue Commissioners estimate the car's Irish market value to be. That will depend on a lot of variables though - including condition, history, mileage and spec. Unfortunately, given that we have an entirely opaque and non-transparent tax system, you won't know exactly how much until you have the car here and it has been inspected.
A few questions on the UK Ford Focus for you...
Is 82,000 miles a lot on a 2011 Ford Focus 1.6? It's an English car and the SD card that comes with the Focus has English maps - how do you change to Irish maps? What would be the value of this car?
Thank you.
Ollie Keohan (Waterford)Apr 2015 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Ollie,
A total of 82,000 miles is a slightly high mileage but it depends on the miles and it depends on the car. If it's got a full service history and has been well cared for then it's not a problem.
As for the SD card, these are available from Ford dealers but have a proper look through the navigation system - UK & Ireland maps tend to come bundled as a pair so it may just be a matter of changing a country setting.
It should be worth, in Irish terms, about €14,000.