CompleteCar
Search Ask Us Anything
Showing 351 - 360 results (out of a total of 430) found for "Skoda" in Ask Us Anything

With €20,000 what family car will we upgrade to?

We are upgrading our car as we have a baby with another on the way. My current car is an Audi A3 Sportback. What can you recommend? Our budget is about €20,000 including trade-in and we cover about 15,000 kilometres per year commuting.

Gillian O Riordan O Riordan (Cork )

Feb 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Gillian,

With two small kids myself I completely understand your needs. Really, you're probably after something with a much bigger boot, but I assume you like the premium look and feel of the Audi. People in your situation would often upgrade to a bigger car in the same brand, say an Audi A4 or a compact SUV. I've taken a look through Carzone.ie with your budget and needs in mind and here's a list of potential replacements:

- Audi A4: way bigger inside and in the boot than your A3 and significantly more comfortable on the road. Your budget gets you a clean 2010 model saloon or Avant estate with a 2.0 TDI engine.

- Audi A6: much bigger again than the A4, but for the same money you'll get less equipment or an older model - you could afford the saloon or Avant estate though.

- BMW 3 Series: quite comparable to the Audi A4, though not as spacious inside and few Touring estate examples on the used market. Very efficient engines.

- BMW 5 Series: lovely car in same class as Audi A6, though your budget will probably mean a high mileage example. Insist on full service history.

- Honda CR-V: well made family SUV that was designed more for on-road than off-road use. Not all that common, but hugely spacious and reliable. Make sure you go for the newer model that has only just been replaced.

- Mazda6: I'm not sure if you're attached to the Audi badge, but this car is well worth a look. It's massive inside (especially the estate), good to drive, well equipped and reliable. Your budget gets you a low mileage 2011 example too.

- Skoda Superb: no kids will ever kick the back of your seat in this car such is its rear legroom! The boot is massive too and it comes with a range of different engine options. The 1.6 TDI is especially economical. You can afford a 2010-2011 saloon, though personally I prefer the Combi estate.

- Volkswagen Passat: there are a few 2011-2012 Passat saloons available for your budget and it'd be a sensible purchase in some ways. This car is still on sale now new. There aren't many estates about unless you go for the previous generation model.

- Volkswagen Tiguan: a good option, though supply is limited at you budget to 2008 versions. High driving position and spacious all-round.

If you'd like help narrowing your search further, please do come back to us. Also, with such a low annual mileage, it's worth seriously considering a petrol car if you find a well-priced one.


Are Skoda Octavias of 2005 reliable?

Are Skoda Octavias of 2005 reliable? Looking at a 1.4-litre model.

John Cooke (Waterford)

Feb 2013 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi John,

Yes, but at that age you’d want to be checking everything over very carefully and insisting on a full service history. That 1.4-litre engine is both ancient and rugged, but it’s also a bit underpowered (most have only 75hp) so keeping up with traffic can be an issue. No major common faults to report, but as I say with a car that old, check everything.


Is a high-mileage Skoda Octavia ok?

Would a 2005 Skoda Octavia diesel with 290,000km on the clock still be a good buy? The car is in excellent condition body-wise and has had the timing belt changed twice as well as the clutch and turbo done. It drives very well and I am told they are very economical. If it is looked after will it do up to 500K kilometres or more?

Mark O'Sullivan (Dublin)

Feb 2013 Filed under: mileage

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

I would imagine so. That’s pretty big mileage right enough, although not so bad on an annualised basis (22,00km a year, roughly), but as long as the service history is chock full of stamps and receipts, and you keep up that level of servicing, then I’d say 500k kilometres is pretty easily on the cards.


Most fuel-efficient nearly new cars for €15k?

What are the more fuel efficient nearly new, small or medium sized family cars you can get for around the €15,000 mark?

Niamh Roche (Drogheda)

Jan 2013 Filed under: fuel economy and emissions

Expert answer

Hi Niamh,

It depends — do you want diesel or petrol? Any small-to-medium car with a 1.4 to 1.6-litre diesel engine is going to be very, very economical (e.g. the Toyota Auris, VW Golf, Ford Focus and Skoda Octavia), but if you want a petrol engine, the choice is a little different. Here, we’d be looking at the Volkswagen Group cars (Golf, Leon or Octavia) with the 1.0-litre or 1.2-litre TSI petrol engines, which have excellent economy, or a Peugeot 308 with the 1.2-litre PureTech engine.


Can you help me find a new SUV?

What is the most economical new mid-range SUV on the market for a budget of €28,000?

Martina Mcinerney (Limerick)

Jan 2013 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Martina,

At that budget your main choices, sticking with diesel for fuel economy reasons, are the Hyundai ix35, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi ASX, Opel Mokka and Skoda Yeti.

We're assuming you don't need four-wheel drive (correct me if I'm wrong), as the front-wheel drive versions of each car are always the most economical.

Here's the most economical version of each:

- Hyundai ix35 1.7 diesel 2WD: 5.3 litres/100km (53.3mpg): from €26,495

- Kia Sportage 1.7 diesel 2WD: 5.3 litres/100km (53.3mpg): from €26,590

- Mitsubishi ASX 1.8 diesel: 5.7 litres/100km (49.6mpg): from €25,950

- Opel Mokka 1.7 diesel 2WD: 4.7 litres/100km (60.1mpg): from €24,695

- Skoda Yeti 1.6 TDI Greenline: 4.6 litres/100km (61.4mpg): from €25,320

We've left out smaller options as you specifically asked for mid-size.

The Skoda Yeti turns out to be the most economical of that lot and for us it would be between that and the Kia Sportage.

Best thing to do is go and test drive as many alternatives as you like the look of as it will come down to personal preference.

Let us know how you get on and come back to us if you need anything else.


My Skoda Octavia's steering is gone heavy...

Hi,

I bought a 2006 Skoda Octavia TDI a few weeks ago. So tonight in the dash there's a red light on and suddenly the steering is very heavy. I don't know what's wrong with my car. I checked all the fuses.

Malik Waq (Watford)

Dec 2012 Filed under: fault

Expert answer

Hi Malik,

It sounds as if either there's a problem with the power steering pump itself or with the belt that drives it. Best bet is to bring the car to a good mechanic to sort it out.


What is the road tax on a Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI?

What is the road tax for a 2008 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI? It's taxed according to engine size.

Liam Keegan (Dublin)

Dec 2012 Filed under: road tax

Expert answer

Hi Liam,

As of 1 January 2013 that car will cost €710 per year to tax. The full breakdown of tax changes announced in the 2013 Budget can be found here.


My budget is €6,000 - I'd like a reliable and efficient car!

I am looking for a reliable, efficient and economical car within a maximum budget of €6,000. Any ideas?

 Not asking for much am I?! :D

Sean Neilon (Dublin)

Dec 2012 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

I don't think you're asking for too much actually, so long as you don't mind a car that's a few years old. There's plenty of choice at that price point. You've not told us how big a car you need or how far you drive each year so we're keeping an open mind there, but only shortlisting diesel saloons and hatchbacks. Options include:

- Ford Fiesta 1.4 TDCi

- Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi

- Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi

- Nissan Note 1.5 dCi

- Peugeot 407 1.6 HDi (only if it has a full service history)

- Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI

Come back to us if you need help narrowing things down further.


Is the previous Skoda Superb a solid buy?

What are the issues I should look out for when buying a used Skoda Superb - 2002-2008?

Dermot Bannon (Dublin)

Dec 2012 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Dermot,

In general the Superb has proven to be very robust, as it's built on Volkswagen Group mechanicals. Make sure you check the car's history (we recommend Cartell.ie for that) to ensure it wasn't a taxi in a previous life.

Other than that, check the air conditioning is working.

We wouldn't particularly recommend the 1.8 T petrol model due to a few known engine issues, but that car is not so common here anyway.

Hope that helps


Known faults on the 2009 Skoda Octavia?

Have there been any known faults on the 2009 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI 105hp?

Tom Walsh (Co)

Nov 2012 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Tom,

There are a few known faults. Issues with the diesel particulate filter are common, so check and see if the car has had maintenance done on that. Blown turbos are also a common fault, so if throttle response seems sluggish, that could be the cause. The 1.9 TDI engine needs a cam belt change every 100,000km so make sure that’s been done. Exhaust gas recirculation valves can go faulty, and the signs will be an engine that’s rough at idle. DSG gearboxes can be troublesome if they haven't been serviced properly, while the front anti-roll bar bushes can deteriorate.


-->