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Can my dad's old Opel Meriva be repaired for free?

Hi,

My dad is 90 years old, and he drives a 2008 Opel Meriva, and the steering has begun to lock up. It's apparently a known defect on this model. Years ago, they reimbursed people with this model for price of fixing it.

It's caused my elderly father a lot of anxiety and he's been off the road for over six months now affecting his quality of life. Have you any advice please? Is there any way to get Opel to pay for the repair as money is an issue?

Christopher O Dowd (Letterkenny )

Mar 2026 Filed under: recall

Expert answer

Hi Christopher,

We asked Opel Ireland about this and it says there was no reimbursement scheme, but it may be part of an outstanding recall notice. To check this, bring the VIN into your local Opel dealer to have it checked.

Best of luck

How much tax should I be paying on my Opel Vivaro?

I bought a 2021 Opel Vivaro 1.5 diesel. I'm changing it to private use as I'm 60 this year and retired. I found that it costs €302 on an official gov.ie website and took a photo of all the rates based on pre-2008 table. My local motor tax office in Tullamore is quoting €413 but that's based on the private car table.

Can you help please?

Pauric (Tullamore)

Mar 2026 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Pauric,

I'm afraid your local motor tax office has it right. When a commercial vehicle is taxed for private use, it is done by the engine size, reverting back to the old pre-2008 system, even for a relatively new van such as yours. It has nothing to do with CO₂ emissions.

So a van with an engine of 1,401-1,500cc capacity does indeed cost €413 per year to tax for private use.

Read our Motor Road Tax Prices In Ireland Explained guide for full details.

Is the Opel Mokka petrol noisy at speed?

Is the Opel Mokka 1.2 GS 136hp good for motorway driving? Is it noisy at speed?

David (Ireland)

Jan 2026 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi David,

First up, the Mokka has comfortable suspension, so it will be good from that point of view. The three-cylinder petrol engine has plenty of go in 136hp guise, and it's mated to a six-speed gearbox so it shouldn't be too audible, even at higher motorway speeds. It can be a little loud getting up to speed, but fine when cruising.

One thing to watch out for is that the GS version you mention rides on bigger wheels than the lesser models in the lineup. That means lower-profile tyres, which are likely wider as well. This can certainly add to road noise at speed.

And, while the Mokka is above average in terms of refinement on the motorway for its class, it is still a relatively cheap-and-cheerful small car, and you can't expect it to be as civil as larger and more expensive ones at higher speeds.

The best advice we can give you is to take one for an extended test drive, including motorway speeds on a variety of road surfaces - and make sure the stereo is off and anyone with you is quiet so you can assess if it meets your needs.

Is the Opel Mokka easy to get into?

Looking for an SUV which would be easier to enter and exit as I am over 80 years. Should the Opel Mokka be suitable?

Ernie Gray (Donegal F93NVR6)

Nov 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Ernie,

The Mokka is certainly higher off the ground than, say, the Opel Corsa, but I'm not sure the door opening would be wide enough to make getting in and out comfortable for you.

I highly recommend you pop along to an Opel dealership so you can try the car out for yourself.

If you're not set on getting an Opel, may I suggest you also take a look at the Dacia Duster? It's a little larger, has more ground clearance and comes with a wider door opening. It's more affordable than the Mokka, too.

Do let us know how you get on.

Would the electric Opel Frontera make a good taxi?

Would you recommend this Opel Frontera EV for use as a taxi?

Robert (Dublin Ireland )

Oct 2025 Filed under: taxi

Expert answer

Hi Robert,

Yeah, it would be fine as a taxi, although I'd avoid the seven-seat one as the extra seats are useless.

Is a sunroof available on the new Opel Frontera?

Richard Mullally (Kilkenny )

Oct 2025 Filed under: optional extras

Expert answer

Hi Richard,

I'm afraid not. We asked Opel Ireland for confirmation.

Does the Opel Frontera Elegance have heated front seats?

George Porter (Waterford)

Oct 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi George,

Yes it does, both the Elegance and GS trim levels get heated front seats - only the entr-level SC model does without.

Chain or wet belt in a 2025 Opel Frontera?

Can I ask for clarification on the 2025 Opel Frontera? I was lead to believe that they have the wet belt engine but on reading the brochure it refers to timing chain. Which is it?

Caroline Dyer (Galway)

Oct 2025 Filed under: timing belt or chain

Expert answer

Hi Caroline,

I can confirm that the Frontera uses a newer version of the Stellantis group's 1.2-litre petrol engine, which indeed has a timing chain now in place of the old 'wet' belt.

What's the warranty on the 2025 Opel Frontera?

Caroline Dyer (Galway)

Oct 2025 Filed under: warranty

Expert answer

Hi Caroline,

Opel Ireland has confirmed that the new Frontera comes with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.

Is there an alarm as standard on this 2007 Opel Astra?

Does the 2007 Opel Astra H 1.3 CDTi SXi come with an alarm as standard?

Michael Doyle (Hacketstown)

Aug 2025 Filed under: car alarm

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

It was not a standard-fit item as far as we can tell, though it was certainly available to buyers of the car.