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What makes and models are spacious?

What are the best makes/models for driver legroom/headroom and rear passenger (behind driver seat) legroom?

Eamon O'Connor (Waterford)

Mar 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Eamon,

Well, obviously the bigger the car the better, and if you can stretch to a long-wheelbase Range Rover...

At a more sensible level, the best car for long legs in both front and back is the Skoda Superb (both current and previous generation models). Also good choices are the Ford Mondeo, Toyota Avensis and Hyundai i40. If you need to come down a size, go for a Skoda Octavia or Honda Civic.


Is this Audi Q5 front-wheel drive?

I'm interesting in buying an Audi Q5 and intrigued by the title of this car: '2013 (131) AUDI Q5 2.0 TDI 143 FRONT 4DR'.

Is it a quattro or not? When it says front is it just frontwheel drive?

Tim

Tim Dwyer (Cork)

Mar 2017 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Tim,

You'll have to ask the person or dealer selling the car, but it sounds like a typo to us - as far as we're aware the first generation Q5 was only ever sold as a quattro four-wheel-drive model. 


How much VRT on imported Toyota Verso?

How much VRT can I expect to pay on a 2013 Toyota Verso 1.8 petrol if I import from the UK?

Alan Russell (Dublin)

Mar 2017 Filed under: VRT

Expert answer

Hi Alan,

It depends on the condition, history and mileage of course, but your VRT bill should be somewhere in the region of €4,000. 


Thinking of buying a classic American car...

Thinking of buying a classic American car, but don't know what I'm doing or where to have it looked after. I'm in North London.

John Stock (London)

Feb 2017 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi John,

OK, well I have a few bits of good news for you. First off, there are lots and lots of classic American cars to choose from that are already on this side of the Atlantic. Whether it’s a Mustang or BelAir, Corvette or Chrysler that you fancy, chances are you can find one without going the import route.

The second thing is that there is excellent spares and parts backup for most of the major models, and you can get yourself off to a good start by joining the Classic American Auto Club or similar.

The final bit of good news is that, being based in London, you are positively surrounded by major classic car dealers and experts, many of whom will have American cars in stock. Maybe start with someone like Classic Chrome in Mortlake and see how you get on.


Can you help with a 2012 Audi A4?

Hi, would like to thank you for your advice in the past. Would like your opinion on a 2012 Audi A4. Reliability issues, 120hp vs 143hp, space vs. Passat etc.

Thanking you in advance

Cyril Cleere (Kilkenny)

Feb 2017 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Cyril,

The A4’s a nice car, very comfortable and refined, but it’s not as roomy as the Passat. Don’t go for the 120hp, as it’s just underpowered. As for reliability and problems, it’s a solid car, but you need to keep an eye on the diesel particulate filter (DPF), water leaks from the air conditioning unit, glove box lids that don’t fit properly and worn seatbelt sockets. Check for signs of uneven tyre wear, and noisy suspension is probably the anti-roll bar drop links. No other major problems to report.


Thinking of importing a MINI Cooper.

Thinking of importing a MINI Cooper from the UK. What are the main things to look out for, known MINI problems etc? The car will be in the region of 2005 to 2008 in age. Will there be much difference in the spec of an English car compaired to the Irish car?

Thanking you

Noel Eaves (Co Laois)

Feb 2017 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Noel,

You’ll need to check the turbo dump valve is working (irregular idle speed is the giveaway), listen for rattles that could be the cam belt tensioner and a knocking sound underneath that might be the exhaust working loose. The MINI needs a catalytic converter replacement at 115,000km so make sure that’s been done, and any vibration from the engine (up through the pedals and gear shift) could be a flywheel on the way out. Misfires or rough running usually means a coil pack needs replacing.

Clutches wear out easily, as do the wheel bearings (listen for rumbling noises), and the power steering pump can fail.

As for spec, UK cars are the same as Irish cars in basic spec, but a UK car is likely to have had more optional extras fitted.


Which new car on PCP for around €25k?

Hi, I am looking to buy a new car on PCP. Budget is around €25k. I have looked at family options like the Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Golf and Mazda3. Also on my shortlist is the Audi A1. Can you please advise which of these is the best bet?

Please suggest any other car that I can look at.

Rahul Nair (Dublin)

Feb 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Rahul,

There are a lot of other options from the Ford Focus to the Toyota Auris to the Peugeot 308 to the Hyundai i30 to the Kia cee’d and Nissan Pulsar. Of the ones you’ve mentioned, the two that I’d pick from are the Skoda (huge inside, practical, reliable) and the Mazda (high quality cabin, ultra-reliable).

Relevant reviews:

Audi A1 review

Skoda Octavia review

Volkswagen Golf review

Mazda3 review

Ford Focus review

Toyota Auris review

Peugeot 308 review

Hyundai i30 review

Kia cee'd review

Nissan Pulsar review


Will my SsangYong's engine ever be right?

Hi,

I sent my SsangYong Acton into the garage on Dec 20th as the fuel injectors needed to come out. I have rang every week since then and there's always an excuse... So last week I had it out with the manager and he admitted that one of the injectors disintegrated into the engine! Now the engine has been taken apart. I am not being charged any extra, but it's just the length of time (now eight weeks) I'm waiting> Will they get it back working again?

Fiona Blackburn (Gorey)

Feb 2017 Filed under: fault

Expert answer

Hi Fiona,

It was very unfortunate that the injector broke on the way out - it's not completely unheard of. The garage really should have told you when it happened though, and that it would take time to get the car back running, so that's quite poor. 

Assuming they didn't try to run the engine at any stage with the broken fragments of the injector inside, then it should be possible to completely clean it out and repair it in full. But there's no reason for not giving a timeline for that. They will know how long it should take now. If you are car-less I'd suggest to them that they loan you something.

Let us know how you get on


Is it cheaper to import a car from NI?

Is it cheaper to import a new or second hand car from Northern Ireland?

David Fitzgerald (Cork)

Feb 2017 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi David,

It can be, but it depends on the model and it depends on what the exchange rate is doing during a given week. By and large the rule of thumb is that the more expensive the model,  the bigger opportunity to make a saving, but even more humble cars, such as Toyotas and Fords, are becoming cheaper on import now. Do your homework, work out your VRT payment in advance as best you can and then wait for Theresa May or Boris Johnson to say something utterly stupid and drive down the value of Sterling again.


Will my UK import have a warranty?

Seriously thinking of buying a 2016 Audi A6 in U.K. For lots of reasons, money saving been the main factor. If I buy from a main dealer on a relatively new car will I have a warranty? Also, should I haggle on displayed priced cars? Any help appreciated.

David O'Connor (Wexford )

Feb 2017 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi David,

Yes, if you’re buying from a main dealer and the car is still covered by its original factory warranty, then that warranty also covers Ireland — we are all, for the moment anyway, still Europeans. Always, always haggle, but remember that dealers generally work on a margin of about 8-10 per cent, so don’t be unrealistic and go in offering half what they’re asking.


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