CompleteCar
Search Ask Us Anything
Showing 2231 - 2240 results (out of a total of 2368) found for "FR" in Ask Us Anything

Will home servicing affect my warranty?

My car is due in for warranty work.  When booking it in the woman asked if it had been serviced.   Obviously I have had it serviced, but not at the main dealers. I have a friend who is a mechanic who I trust. He serviced it for me for a fraction of the dealer cost, using genuine parts.  

Unfortunately, because he serviced it at my house rather than at the garage where he works he hasn't stamped my service book. Is this likely to affect my warranty? I have the receipts for the original parts used but no stamp!

Any help would be appreciated. 

Chris Burke (Barnsley)

Mar 2011 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Chris and thanks for your enquiry,

We asked Ciaran Lowe, an ex-service manager for Nissan Ireland, to answer this one for us. He said, "In order to avail of the warranty franchised dealers require vehicles to be maintained according to manufacturer standards using genuine parts.

However, by law, if the car has been serviced at the correct intervals outside of the franchise network and there is proof that GENUINE parts were fitted then the warranty should not be affected.

The genuine parts fitted is the key (if parts are not of merchantable quality it's a different story). There should be no problem as you have all the receipts of genuine parts fitted. Some service advisors can make it difficult depending on the approach."

Hope this helps


Toyota Avensis or VW Passat Estate?

Hi guys,

I am looking at a 2006 Toyota Avensis Estate D-4D 130bhp six-speed. It is €5,700 in Northern Ireland from an after market dealer. What sort of economy does this manage? Is it a good buy or not? Or would a 2005 VW Passat Estate with 130bhp be better?

Jim O'Sullivan (Co.Cork.)

Mar 2011 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Jim,

The combined economy figure for that car is about 50mpg (5.6 litres/100km) and it has CO2 emissions of 149g/km. I would say that this would be a better buy than a 2005 Passat Estate because there will probably be less wrong with it and it will be easier to put right if it has a few issues. The Passat of that year wasn't VW's finest work, so I'd plump for the Avensis. The usual rules apply in terms of proper history checks.

Hope that helps.


Who can sort my Mazda6 problem?

I currently drive a 2006 Mazda6 TD Sport with 260,000km on the clock - I'm a taxi driver so I do big mileage: over 200,000km in two and a half years. Needless to say I've had problems with the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) and had to have it regenerated six or seven times. Now the DPF has run it's course and can no longer be regenerated. The price is very prohibitive to get a new DPF, as it costs about €2,500 before fitting.

I couldn't afford to go for this option so decided to have the DPF removed and get the ECU remapped. This has worked to a certain extent, economy has improved and power has been increased. Only problem is that the DPF light is still flashing and engine management light is on.

Would you be able to recomend somebody who can sort this problem for me?

Ronan Laverty (Bettystown )

Mar 2011 Filed under: taxi

Expert answer

Hi Ronan,

We asked Ciaran Lowe, a former service manager for Nissan Ireland, to answer this one. He told us. "I can understand your reasoning for removing the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) because of the excessive cost of replacement. However, the DPF on diesel vehicles plays an important roll in reducing vehicle emissions. In fact these filters can reduce diesel soot emissions by up to 80 percent, so by removing the DPF it is interfering with the emissions on your vehicle. By re-mapping the ECU it is only tricking the engine management  system to see emissions within spec regarding the DPF system. However even with the ECM re-mapped the vehicle will still fail any future emissions tests. The fact your light is on indicates the system has identified out of range emissions."

I'm afraid the best solution all-round is to seek a used DPF filter.

We've talked to a few people in the industry and short of messing with the actual lights in the dashboard there is no way around this. We can't recommend this route, but it could be done by any auto electrician.


What car has three ISOFIX points?

Hi

We hope to trade in our 2005 Skoda Octavia during the summer for a car that has three isofix points in the back. We would prefer not to get a seven-seater as we don't need that many seats. Our wishlist would include the three isofix points, a big boot to accomodate a double buggy, low tax and fuel efficiency. We have been looking at the Peugeot 307 SW. The trade in value of our present car seems to be in around the €5,000 mark. We can afford to add another €,5000 to that.

Any advice greatly appreciated! Many thanks. 

Feena Farrell (Kilcock)

Feb 2011 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi there Feena, 

The Peugeot 307 SW would be a good solution for you and it is great value and cheap to run. The 1.6-litre diesel engine is the best-seller in that model, is fuel-efficient and has low road tax. You would get one for within your budget alright. My sister has driven one for the last few years and apart from some loose bits of trim it has been a very solid car. Unfortunately there are only two ISOFIX points in the centre row. 

Absolutely brilliant is the Fiat Multipla. Is it a little on the unusual side, but has a really clever 3+3 layout that your kids will really enjoy. The difficulty is that there are only two ISOFIX points in this too.

A little bit of research seems to suggest that there are normally only ISOFIX on the outer seats in the second row of a car. There are exceptions though, with the latest Renault Scenic (late 2009 on) having three ISOFIX points in the second row of seats. But this is outside your budget. 

The Citroen C4 Picasso can take three ISOFIX seats across the rear and this might be a little bit outside your budget too, but perhaps you could haggle a little. Here is an example of one. 

However, I reckon the solution for you is a Honda FR-V, which has three ISOFIX points across the six seats and it is a really good car. It only came as a petrol model early on, but if you don't do too many miles it should be okay. Here is one from 2006 within your budget. 

Hope that helps.


Older premium car or newer car with lower running costs?

Hello, which do you think is best - to buy a new car around €21,000 or €22,000 with low tax or five-year old Lexus IS petrol or BMW 3 Series petrol for around €14,000 - €15,000 with high tax?

In other words is it better to drive a high quality car that has already suffered most of its depreciation, but has high running costs over a new car with low tax and low running costs, but maybe higher depreciation?

 

Jerome O'Connor (Wicklow)

Feb 2011 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Jerome,

I have been on the wrong side of buying 'cheap' premium cars and thinking that I was very clever and to be honest it isn't that clever at all. Once things start to go wrong with some of the German models they can end up costing you an arm and a leg. That might not necessarily be the case with the Lexus IS, which, despite all the bad press the company has had of late, are incredibly reliable. 

However, if you are at all worried about running costs then there is a lot to be said for buying something new, say like an Opel Astra and getting three years of free servicing.

Come back to us if you need some help choosing.


What will I get to replace my SEAT Ibiza?

I'm looking to spend around €20,000 on a new diesel. What's the best option? I have an 02 SEAT Ibiza, but I'm afraid it won't last much longer. Is it best to do a cash deal and scrap the car independently?

Mairead S (Limerick)

Feb 2011 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Mairead,

I guess it depends on how bad your Ibiza is. You will generally get a better deal as a cash buyer, but it will also probably cost you money to get rid of your Ibiza if you bring it to a scrap yard. Sadly you don't qualify for scrappage. but there are lots of good offers around, especially from the likes of Renault, who will give you a great scrappage price on a car eight years old or over. You could have any Renault Mégane within your budget. We recently drove the GT Line version of the Mégane and it looks great with tons of equipment including a built in TomTom navigation system. 

The Mazda3 diesel is €19,995 and you get air conditioning, Bluetooth, cruise control and alloy wheels as standard and it is a cracker of a car. I think given your budget that this would be an excellent choice. It has low emissions too, so annual road tax is just €104. 

Feel free to come back to us if any of these suggestions don't work. 


Will the new driving licence rules affect me?

Do the new rules that are coming into force in April apply to people with learner permits or do you need your full licence to avoid these new rules?

Adrian Noonan (Cork)

Feb 2011 Filed under: driving licence

Expert answer

Hi Adrian,

From April 4 2011 all new first time learner permit holders for cars will be required to undertake mandatory essential driver training (EDT) with an approved driving instructor (ADI). The course will be 12 hours. The learner will be able to take the lessons at any point during the learning process and can practise with an accompanying driver during the time while taking lessons. Evidence of completing the lessons will be signed off in a learner's logbook by the ADI. Evidence of having taken the lessons will have to be presented before taking a driving test.

Hope that clears it up


How do I know if my car is due an NCT?

I have a 2007 Opel Corsa. I know I need to get the NCT done this year, but I don't know when it is due or anything.  Friends of mine are saying that they write out to you and let you know; others are saying that you need to ring up. My question is, does the NCT company write to customers who are due an NCT?  

David Phelan (Dublin 17)

Feb 2011 Filed under: NCT

Expert answer

Hi David,

According to the NCT website:

"All cars should be tested on or before the anniversary date of first registration of the car in the country of origin. There is no link with motor tax or insurance expiry date.

PLEASE NOTE: NCTS can issue your certificate up to six months early for a first time NCT and three months early for subsequent NCT tests. For example, a car was first registered on the 5th June 2006. The car was due for its NCT on the 5th June 2010, the car is brought for its NCT on the 26th January 2010 and it passes. An NCT Certificate is received with an expiry date of 4th June 2012"

If your car is eligible for the NCT (please refer to the testing chart) then please phone us on 1890 412 413 or you can check our on-line service by simply typing in your car registration number and date of first registration of the vehicle (which can be found on your vehicle registration book, registration certificate or licensing certificate."

So, it would appear that you need to contact the NCT to check if your car is eligible for a test. 

I hope this helps. 

For more visit the National Car Test Website.


Do Renault Méganes have electronic issues?

Do Renault Méganes have a reputation for electronic problems?

I'm seeing a lot of complaints online about electric window problems and dashboard displays failing and they seem pretty expensive to repair if out of warranty. Has Renault said anything about these being faults? I know there was something in the UK about the dashboard problems. Would be good to know where I stand. I had a problem previously with one window on my old Mégane, but my mechanic repaired free of charge.

Sharon Newmn (Dublin 17)

Feb 2011 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Sharon,

Earlier Renault Méganes were not without their problems, but the latest ones have improved a lot. If you could let us know what year your Mégane is we can investigate your problem with Renault and see what they say.

Let us know.

 

 


How reliable are second-hand Saabs?

I have always loved Saabs. I am now considering buying a used 9-3 or 9-5, maybe a 2007 model or thereabouts. I have heard that some models more than others can be very expensive to maintain, as major things go wrong with them, like the Turbo, etc... Is this true? Is there one model more than another I should look for?

Trish Gallagher (Wexford)

Feb 2011 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Trish,

In general, the later Saabs are pretty solid. They are generally based on General Motors platforms and the engines are tried and trusted. As they get older they can become a little expensive to repair but since you are looking at 2007 models or newer then these should be good. It is true that there have been some reports of failed turbos in the past, but they are quite rare. 

There was a recall in 2007 for a problem with the handbrake but in general this car has been good. Depending on your needs, we would say you should get the cabrio, because this has brilliant resale value. This example is nice and comes from a SIMI dealer. 

Otherwise, I would probably go for this 150hp diesel, which has low mileage and would have good fuel economy. 

I hope this helps. 


-->