Can I connect a Huawei P8 to my Skoda?
Hi,
I have a 2012 Skoda to which I have Bluetoothed a pre-smartphone Nokia. Recently when I tried to connect a Huawei p8 it did not recognise the device. Is that solutionable?
Thanks
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Apr 2019 Filed under: Bluetooth
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Possibly, but it will depend on the software that’s in the Skoda. Given that it’s a 2012 car, it’s probably running Bluetooth generation 4.0, which has since been superseded by generation 5.1, which might explain why the older Nokia connects but not the new Huawei . It’s possible that you might be able to upgrade the software in the car, but I think the first port of call should be to your local Skoda dealer.
Should I change my Skoda Fabia's belt?
I have a 60-plate Skoda Fabia 1.6 TDI, mileage 91k. My garage keeps telling me I should get the cambelt changed. No record of it having a new one fitted before I bought it, when it showed 48k.
Please advise.
Tim Staveley (Grantham)Mar 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Tim,
It doesn't need to be done until 210,000km on the clock - regardless of time.
Used Passat or Skoda Octavia diesel?
I'm debating between a 152 VW Passat Trendline BlueMotion Technology with 133,000km and a 2016 Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI Ambition DSG model with 80,000km on the clock. Any feeback would be great.
Thanks
Shane
Shane Egan (Galway)Mar 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Shane,
Both are excellent, but in general we’d lean towards the Skoda. Although a slightly smaller car overall, you’re not sacrificing much rear seat space, and you are gaining a bigger and more versatile boot. Our only concern would be to get a very careful history check done, as the Octavia is popular as a taxi, and that’s something to be avoided.
We need a bigger car for our kids...
Hi there!
Having just added to our family a few weeks ago for the second time, my faithful little Opel Astra is stretched to breaking point. My partner is 6ft 6'' and is squeezed into the driving seat and squashed against the car seat behind him and getting fairly fed up. We have been looking for something with a bit more room but we are really struggling. Any advice on what cars are best for tall drivers and rearward facing car seats?
Chris
Chris McGrath (Mayo)Mar 2019 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Chris,
The answer here is Skoda Superb. Nothing else, at least nothing else affordable, has the sort of rear legroom to truly allow a very tall driver to get comfy in front of a rear-facing infant seat, and the Superb has the kind of massive boot that every parent of two growing kids will truly need. They’re not expensive, either — go for the second-generation or later model (which first launched in 2009, although the current version, launched in 2015 is nicer still) and you’ll be onto a winner, just make sure to get one with a full and comprehensive history and make sure that it’s not been previously used as a taxi (many have). Even better — get the Combi estate for maximum practicality.
Looking for a spacious family car...
Looking for recommendations for a family car for a two-year old and a newborn. Petrol, good legroom and boot size, affordable and doesn't feel 'huge' to drive or difficult to park. Already checked out Skoda Octavia and Nissan Qashqai so any advice on these? We weren't looking to buy a brand new car but they both seem to have good scrappage deals...
Orla Greaney (Dublin)Mar 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Orla,
Get the Skoda. Trust me, as the father of two growing boys a Qashqai is just not big enough inside. The Octavia, on the other hand, has lots of rear legroom (crucial for people in rear-facing child seats or boosters) and a massive boot, especially if you go for the very practical Combi estate version. If you’re looking for other alternatives, stick within the mid-size estate market — they’re much more practical for families than a compact SUV, and usually cheaper too run too. Oh, and they’re not much bigger than the hatchbacks they’re based on, so parking etc. is still a doddle.
Good alternatives to the Skoda are the Ford Focus Estate, the Kia Ceed Sportswagon, the Hyundai i30 Tourer and the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. Click on those links to read our reviews of each.
Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Skoda Kodiaq 4x4?
Hi.
Could I ask you to do a comparison between the Skoda Kodiaq and new Hyundai Santa Fe in 4x4 format, please?
Thanks
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Feb 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Well, the first thing to note is that with four-wheel drive, both models will be quite a bit thirstier on fuel than if you went for the more basic front-wheel-drive models. In terms of making a direct comparison of the Kodiaq and Santa Fe, that’s actually kind of tricky as they sit at very different price points. You can pick up a basic Kodiaq for €32,495 while a new Santa Fe starts at €42,745. The Skoda is a really nice car — handsome, roomy and good to drive, but its cabin can feel a little bit plain at times, unless you spend a lot of money on optional extras. The Hyundai looks and feels rather more luxurious, as befits its price, and it feels more of a premium product. Both, in seven-seat form, suffer from the usual SUV problem of the third row seats not really being big enough, either for adults or for small kids in bulky safety seats. If it’s value you’re after, then the Skoda is the obvious choice, but if you fancy something that can take on the German premium brands, at a slightly lower price, then it’s worth looking at the Hyundai. Both should be very reliable in the long term, incidentally.
My Skoda Superb's stop-start won't work...
Hi,
I have a Skoda Superb 1.6 TDI Greenline 3, 2014, but the stop-start has stopped working. I have had it back to the Skoda main dealer but they just keep saying they can't find anything wrong with it even though it doesn't work when they have it they just tell me that is because the engine isn't hot enough yet.
I have done a 130-mile round journey only stopping in the middle of the journey for five minutes and still the stop-start won't work. I have told them this, but have as yet no answer for me.
John Greaves (Oldham)Feb 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi John,
Lots of people find that their car's stop-start system stops working for no obvious reason, though it's disappointing that the garage fobbed you off rather than come up with a fix.
We've had so many queries that we've put together a guide called Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
Have a read through that and see if it helps shine a light on the situation. Faulty temperature sensors and batteries in poor condition are very common causes.
Volvo XC40, Skoda Kodiaq or Toyota RAV4?
Hi,
Looking to get a new family-size SUV for a couple and a kid, will be doing 15,000km a year. Have narrowed down to Volvo XC40, Skoda Kodiaq or Toyota RAV4. Key things to consider in order of importance - safety, resale value and comfort.
Thanks in advance and appreciate such a great site for Irish car buyers!
Shubham Agarwal (Greystones)Feb 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Shubham,
Hey, thank you for reading it!
OK, in terms of the way you’ve weighted your needs, the XC40 comes out as an obvious top choice as you’ve said safety is the most important thing for you. Nothing’s safer than a Volvo, so that’s job done then.
Right? Well, maybe not… We do love the XC40 — it’s a cracking car — but it’s a touch small on the inside. Fine for small kids, but not so great if you’ve got a fast-growing family. Which brings the Kodiaq into play, as it has a massive boot and the option of extra seats. Plus Skodas are very safe too, and have excellent resale value.
The only issue then is that you’re more or less locked into buying a diesel, which really doesn’t suit your annual mileage. You can see where this is going, can’t you? The new RAV4 Hybrid is probably the best balance of what you need. Roomy and comfortable inside, very safe, nice to drive and Toyotas always have excellent resale.
Here are our reviews of each to help you decide:
New Skoda Kodiaq or Peugeot 5008?
I do 35-40k kilometres per year over motorway and hilly back roads. Considering new 2.0-litre Skoda Kodiaq diesel Ambition or 1.5 Peugeot 5008 diesel Allure. Peugeot has a higher spec including rear view camera and three full seats in second row (no tunnel). Would it have the power and comfort to tackle the high mileage? Other SUV suggestions welcome.
Gay Fannon (Cavan)Dec 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Gay,
It definitely has the power and the comfort to tackle the mileage. That new 1.5-litre HDi diesel engine is a cracker, and with 120hp it has plenty of guts, plus it’s rather pleasantly refined and very frugal too. An excellent all-rounder. The only doubt would be over long-term reliability. While Peugeot has really improved its build quality over the years, the fact is that an equivalent Skoda will be slightly better-built, especially over the longer term. It’s certainly worth considering.
Which new crossover or SUV for me?
Hello,
Which crossover/SUV would you recommend? I do circa 25-30k kilometres per year, mostly motorways, but also a fair bit of urban driving.
Roseanna
Roseanna Gorman (Bray)Dec 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Roseanna,
First things first — if you’re doing mostly urban and motorway miles, you really don’t need an SUV. A more conventional hatchback, saloon, or estate is going to be more comfortable, better value, more economical and a better-engineered vehicle all round. If you’re looking for something with practicality then the likes of a Skoda Octavia Combi estate, a Volkswagen Golf Estate, a Kia Ceed SW, or the new Ford Focus Estate all have much bigger boots than any small-to-medium SUV (more than 600 litres, all of them, compared to around 450 litres for, say, a Nissan Qashqai), and they’re all better to drive and more frugal.
However, if you’re hooked on SUVs then we’d recommend a SEAT Ateca (plain wrapper, but it’s roomy, comfy and nice to drive) or a Toyota C-HR (small on the inside, relatively, but hugely stylish and the hybrid version is frugal). If you’re looking to ‘posh-up’ a bit, then the incoming new Audi Q3 is a bit of a stunner, or if you want something smaller and more affordable than any of those, try the updated Fiat 500X, which is kinda cute and charming.
Here are our relevant reviews for you to read more: