Can I change a car's screen for a smaller one?
I don't like screens like large tablets stuck on the dashboard; I like a minimalist look, such as that of the Mazda3 hatchback, though I've had five different examples of the Ford Focus over my 'long life'! If I go for a 2021 or 2022 car can I get the relatively small screen changed to an even smaller one?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Mar 2025 Filed under: infotainment
Expert answer
Hi Frank,
That won't be very easy to do, and would likely be quite expensive as well. We wouldn't recommend it.
Which used diesel SUV to replace my Qashqai?
Hello,
I have €30,000 (no trade in), looking for some advice please. I have had two Nissan Qashqais and really liked them but now they don't come in diesel after March 2021. So, I am trying to decide on an SUV roughly that size, diesel, automatic, 2022/2023. I’m not completely stuck on automatic.
It’s mind blowing trying to figure out which to go for.
Any advice much appreciated.
Ger (Leitrim )Feb 2025 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Ger,
If you’re sticking with automatic, then your choices are very limited. We found only the Opel Grandland and SsangYong Korando, neither of which we’d be huge fans of.
Here are the manual models we found that otherwise fit the brief:
Cupra Formentor: We really like this car as it looks great, and it drives well. You might find it a little too low down for your liking as it’s not as tall an SUV as the Qashqai, but worth a look.
Dacia Duster: Not quite as solid as the Qashqai perhaps, but it’s very comfortable and you’d get more for your money - you could get a 2024 version for example.
Ford Kuga: A comfortable and well-built option. Plenty of them about.
Hyundai Tucson: Very spacious inside and in the boot. Loads of them around as it has been the best-seller for so long. Despite that it still looks interesting outside. Good reliability. Strong reputation shown by the fact that you’d probably only afford a 2022 example with your budget.
Kia Sportage: Identical to the Tucson under the skin so it just comes down to which of the two you prefer the look of. Though the Kia has a longer warranty in terms of time if mileage is low.
Mazda CX-5: Fantastic to drive and feels like a premium car in comparison to most others here. Might cost a little more to run and they’re not very plentiful on the used market.
Peugeot 3008: A stylish replacement for the Qashqai. Solid car. Double-check you can get on with the cabin layout.
SEAT Ateca: Once one of our favourite cars of this size, though it is getting on in years now. Might not feel as modern as some cars on this list, but is still well made, comfortable and spacious.
That’s still quite a long list, admittedly, but hopefully it helps you drill things down to a shortlist. We have our own preferences, and you will, too.
Feel free to come back to us if you want further help of course.
Belt or chain in my 2013 Mazda3 diesel?
Hi,
I own 2013 Mazda3 2013 1.6 diesel Venture Edition. My question is, does it have timing belt or timing chain?
Thank you.
Mile Stoyanov (Burbage, Hinckley)Feb 2025 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Mile,
That engine has a timing belt.
Should I buy a Mazda CX-80?
Thanks for your replies to my earlier questions. I have read your review of your experience of the Mazda CX-80. You reference the suspension and use the words “crash and bang” - this is probably the most damning description of a car’s suspension I have ever read. If I test drive this car it will be in a short distance of the garage on good roads, but your review is no doubt more comprehensive and professional. Overall, your review is very positive I feel! Thanks for your replies and if you feel that I have got the wrong end of the stick please correct me.
Regards
Tony Cahill (Dublin)Feb 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
Happy to help someone find the car that suits them.
I suspect you’ve focused a little too much on one of the few negative things Neil said about the car’s suspension in that review, and I should point out that the “crash and bang” words were used specifically in conjunction with “when tackling rough-edged surfaces.” I myself spent a few weeks in the CX-80 on Irish roads in December, including driving on poorly surfaced country roads and found it generally to be excellent. Rough surfaces can make themselves felt, but no more than in any competitor vehicles.
Have you driven the new Mazda CX-80?
Have you driven the new Mazda CX-80 yet, or will you be doing so soon?
Tony Cahill (Dublin)Feb 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
We have indeed. Take a look at our Mazda CX-80 reviews page for the written and video reviews.
We've also since driven the car on Irish roads, so come back to us if you have specific questions not answered in the review.
Is the Mazda CX-80 comfortable?
If most of your driving is short journeys on suburban roads around Dublin will the issues with the rear suspension, as you and other reviewers reference, be a deal breaker? Mazda have apparently addressed this problem in the revamped 2025 CX-60, but what about the CX-80?
Tony Cahill (Dublin)Feb 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
The CX-80's suspension was a further development of that in the CX-60 and improvements were made before the larger car was launched, so we have no issue with that car at all. Further changes are coming to the CX-60 later this year.
As with all cars, we'd highly recommend sticking to smaller wheel options, as that means more tyre sidewall to better absorb bumps and poor road surfaces.
Is a warranty valid on a UK import?
Hi,
Wondering if you could assist me, please. I’m looking at potentially buying a UK-imported VW Golf from a Mazda dealer garage. It will have two years left of the manufacturer warranty. Will that warranty be valid in Ireland if something unfortunately happened and who would I take the car to, a local Irish Volkswagen dealership? The garage/seller maintains the warranty would be valid.
Can you please confirm?
Thanks in advance.
Connor (Louth)Jan 2025 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi Connor,
If it is a pan-European warranty, then it should be valid and yes, an Irish dealer should be fine with carrying out warranty work if needed. If possible, get the car's VIN from the seller and contact Volkswagen Ireland with it to check its warranty status.
Revenue's VRT calculator is rubbish!
What are my options if I'm looking to import a car (from NI or GB) but unable to get a VRT estimate on Revenue's VRT Calculator because of this now very common error on their site: "No Vehicle found for Combination Selected. Please update your filters."?
There are no other relevant filters to update. The error occurs for multiple common manufacturers, models and years, nothing exotic. E.g. Mazda MX-5. Only a few make/model combinations will not give this error. The issue occurred after Revenue's recent 'update' to the site, when they strangely added seemingly every global manufacturer to the site (without adding a search function, making it tedious to scroll for ages to find Toyota, say, especially on a mobile).
I contacted Revenue on MyEnquiries two weeks ago. No response yet. Do I really have no option but to actually go and buy the car from NI or GB, bring it to the NCT centre just to get a VRT quote (not even an estimate)? It's obviously too late for me then if the VRT quote is ridiculously too high (as is commonly the case as Revenue seemingly pluck the OMSP from thin air).
Are Revenue not obligated to provide a VRT estimate for all makes/models that are selectable on their own site or at least those models for which they have a record of having been through the process before?
Thanks!
James Dunning (Bray)Oct 2024 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi James,
It's very frustrating, isn't it? We refer to that site regularly to help buyers and it has certainly taken a backwards step since the update.
Unfortunately, there does not seem to be any other way to get a confirmed VRT price for any given car from Revenue without presenting it for inspection as you've described.
If it's any help at all, tell us the full details of the car and we can try to make the estimate for you, but of course it's still only an estimate.
MG3 or Mazda2 hybrids?
Cna oyu compare the MG3 'self-charging' hybrid and Mazda2 self-charging hybrid for both town and distance travel?
Mary Pierse (Dublin)Oct 2024 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
The MG is undoubtedly more powerful, as the numbers suggest, but the Mazda doesn't feel appreciably slower at all, and the Mazda is nicer to drive both in town and out of it. The MG is a little 'softer' on the road perhaps, meaning it's a fraction more comfortable over bumps, but there's not much in it.
Overall I prefer how the Mazda drives and it feels like a higher-quality product. The MG hits back with its low price and it's also a little more spacious.
They're both very economical cars with little to separate them in that way.
I highly recommend you drive both for yourself before deciding.
Why no Mazda logo on my MX-5?
Why does my 1991 MX-5 SE not have a Mazda emblem on the front?
Richard Bowie (Pickering On)Aug 2023 Filed under: bodywork
Expert answer
Hi Richard,
Is it an import from Japan or elsewhere? Or is it a special edition? It's not unusual for imported cars and special editions to get different bonnet badges.