What can I do about my faulty i30?
Hi, I am Prince from Wicklow,
I bought a new Hyundai i30 1.6 diesel two months ago. Now the car has an engine noise, abnormal pulling and an air conditioning problem. It was admitted to dealer garrage for repair it twice within two months. That took a week each time, but it is still not perfect.
Now it is running forward without pressing the accelerator in second, third and fourth gear and does not slow down immidiately when going down a gear. And there is also some problem with the auto stop and start system. Plus its fuel economy is only 47mpg.
What should I do? Can I ask my dealer to replace this faulty car, and what are my rights?
Thank you
Prince
Prince Francis (Bray)Oct 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Prince,
That’s a tricky one. In terms of your consumer rights, you are most certainly entitled to a replacement car if this one is not up to scratch and the dealership has not been able to repair it to your satisfaction.
However, you’ll need to establish that there is a specific fault or faults with the car first. I’d recommend getting it inspected by an independent motor vehicle assessor (you can find them via a quick Google search) and get them to give you a full report on it. Then you need to bring that report to the dealer and demand that either the car is fully repaired (it’s still well within its original five-year warranty after all) or give you a replacement.
Let us know how you get on
How best to trade in our old SEATs?
Hi,
We have a 2005 SEAT Toledo with 150,000km on the clock, costing regularly with repairs, and a 2011 SEAT Ibiza ST with 100,000km on the clock. We want to get a new relatively spacious but cheap car and a 2006+ Audi or BMW. Which of our two cars should we trade in for which of our two planned buys to get the most value and for the purchases to cost us least?
Joan Cleary (Bray)Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Joan,
It's a bit of a quandary to be honest. You'll get more for the Ibiza - probably around €7-8k as a trade in. But with the Toledo costing you money, your best bet might just be to keep the Ibiza and use that as your small car, chop the Toledo in for whatever you can get for it (€2k max and that's with a following wind).
Actually, better yet, why not avail of one of the scrappage schemes still being offered by some car makers? Opel, for instance, has a good one going - up to €4,500 - and you could then trade in your Toledo against a new Insignia; far more affordable than a BMW or Audi, and with a shiny new warranty to boot. Reliable and nice to drive too. Nissan also has a similar offer (potentially €4k against a nice new Qashqai perhaps?), or potentially €3k scrappage off a Hyundai ix35?
Lots of good options out there.
How much can the Hyundai i30 estate tow?
I am buying a Hyundai i30 estate and would like to know how good it is as a towcar and its maximum towing limit.
Thanks
GORDON KENDRICK (LIMERICK)Sep 2015 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
Hi Gordon,
If you're looking at the current model, then your towing weights are 650kg unbraked and 1,500kg braked.
Does a 2010 Hyundai i30 estate have a timing belt?
Does a 2010 Hyundai i30 estate have a timing belt or a chain?
Eidin Clery (000)Jul 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Eidin,
Our information shows us that the only post-2007 Hyundai i30 engine with a timing belt is the 2.0-litre CRDi diesel. All others should have a chain.
What five-door diesel hatch will be troublefree?
Hi,
I am think of buy a 2010 five-door diesel car; tax and mpg don't bother me; I just what something that will do 35,000km per year for the next three to five years without engine trouble.
John Scanlon (000)Jul 2015 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi John,
If it's a lack of trouble you're looking for, you need to be buying Japanese or Korean. So have a look at a Toyota Auris, Honda Civic, Hyundai i30, Kia cee'd or Nissan Pulsar. All of those should do annual mega-miles without trouble or complaint.
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
Does the Hyundai ix35 have a timing belt?
Is there a timing belt or chain on the 2011 Hyundai ix35 1.7 CRDi?
Tom Harrison (Kildare)Jul 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
The Hyundai ix35 uses a timing chain.
What is the market value of a 2012 Hyundai ix20?
What is the market value of a 2012 Hyundai ix20 auto?
Pat Hanley (Monaghan)Jul 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
In and around the €9,000 mark I would think.
Do I need an SUV for towing my horsebox on the motorway?
Hi, what SUV would you recommend for pulling a horsebox and also motorway driving? I do about 500 to 600km a week going up and down to Dublin a couple of times a week from the midlands so I need an SUV that is economical on diesel but also able to handle a horsebox.
Many thanks
Louise Fox (Monaghan)Jul 2015 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
Hi Louise,
You don't necessarily need a 4x4 for that - a mid size estate car would do the job just as well. So, have a look at the following and see what you'd like: Mazda6 2.2d, Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi, Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI.
Or, if you really have to have a 4x4, check out the Hyundai Santa Fe, Audi Q5 or Nissan X-Trail.
Relevant reviews:
Can you recommend a car for €10,000 for me?
My 2001 Hyundai Accent has failed the NCT so I need to buy a new car. I'm a mum of two and my husband drives a 2003 Toyota Verso. I have a budget of €10,000. Can you recommend a car to me?
Sharon Drummond (Galway)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Sharon,
€10,000 buys you an awful lot on the second hand market, but I'm assuming you want to stay within roughly the same size band as the Accent. So, your best bets are to go for a two-to three-year old small hatchback - think Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio, Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20 or Volkswagen Polo. The Kia or Hyundai are probably the best bets as they'll both have factory warranties left to run.
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