Which Skoda Octavia parts carry over?
What parts from a 2006 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI Sport will fit a 2002 Skoda Octavia 1.4 petrol?
Tony Halpin (Abbeyfeale)Nov 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
The second-generation Octavia launched in 2004, which means you're most likely looking at two completely different generations of the model. There will be some small number of parts potentially shared across both, but not a lot at all, especially as the engines are also different.
Can I fix my Audi's slow gearbox response?
Hi,
I have a 2019 Audi Q3 35 TDI S tronic and it's a great car, but with an annoying trait, especially in heavy traffic in Galway, Dublin etc. The gearbox is hesitant and dim-witted and changes into second gear in about five metres after take off, even going uphill, which leaves it very lethargic. It seems to hesitate for 1 to 1.5 seconds, which means it's hard to nip into gaps in traffic. Have you heard of any cure or is this a trait of this gearbox?
Thanks,
Pat Higgins, Galway
Pat Higgins (Galway)Nov 2019 Filed under: gearbox
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
We certainly have noticed this trait in all Volkswagen Group DSG-based gearboxes (that's what the S tronic transmission is) and their attendant engines of late. The only explanation seems to be that VW’s various brands have trimmed back both engine power and responsiveness at low speeds, and especially at idle or when waking up from a stop-start cycle, in order to optimise their figures in the new WLTP emissions and economy tests. VW is certainly not the only one to do this, but it does seem to be more obvious with VW Group models than with some other manufacturers. Shifting the gearbox into Sport helps a bit, but it’s not a total fix.
One cure might be a total vehicle upgrade — we’ve noticed that the new ‘Evo’ versions of the 1.5 TSI petrol and 2.0 TDI diesel engines are noticeably less sleepy. Or, alternatively, trade in for a version with a manual gearbox — that is the simplest cure of all.
What's up with my Audi brakes?
Hi.
In May 2018 I bought an Audi A3 Sportback 1.0 turbo (pre-reg Jan 2018). Around Oct/Nov I noticed a metallic grinding noise when reversing slowly out of my driveway and also reversing from a car parking spot. Initially told "probably lack of use" as my mileage was and is low (now 11,600km). Early in 2019 went back three or four times and they could not find anything wrong. They suggested the brake material. I had no more problems until now when the problem is back. The dealer is an Audi dealer and I believe they did their best to sort me out. I am wondering if the problem is brake material together with my little use (and short trips) of the car. There is no problem driving forward. Can you suggest what might be wrong?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Oct 2019 Filed under: brakes
Expert answer
Hi F D,
Sounds to me like the Audi garage had it right. The rear callipers could be binding slightly, or perhaps even the parking brake mechanism is sticking. Very limited use in any car can do that. If you know you're not going to be using it for a long time, consider parking it up without using the parking brake (if safe and feasible). Leave the car in gear and place something in front of the tyres for extra safety.
Which 2017 estate to go for?
Hi,
I want to upgrade my old Ford Focus Estate (2005) as it's not very economical. Would like another estate but don't know if I should go for diesel or petrol or a different make of estate. Hoping to purchase a 2017.
Thanks a mill
Margot
Margot O'Leary (KINSALE)Oct 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Margot,
Well, you could go for the alternative option to both — the Toyota Auris Hybrid estate. Lots of space and excellent economy. I’ve put my reputation on the line recommending these to a couple of friends recently and so far, I’ve not been told off for sticking them with a bad car...
Other good alternatives are the Peugeot 308 SW, the Kia Ceed SportWagon, the VW Golf Estate and the Skoda Octavia Combi. The only issue, really, is finding any of these — estate sales in Ireland are so small that you may have to consider an import.
Here are our relevant reviews to help you decide:
How much VRT on imported Honda Civic?
Hi!
I'm having trouble calculating the VRT due on a car that I'm thinking of buying from Northern Ireland. The VRT Calculator on the ROS website doesn't seem to have the exact spec I'm looking at, although the car is for sale in Ireland too. It's a Honda Civic - five-door hatchback, 1.5-litre petrol engine, manual transmission, 12,000 miles, registered November 2017. If you have any advice that would be great!
Thanks, Katie
Katie Hughes (Meath)Sep 2019 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Katie,
OK, it’s only a rough calculation, but assuming that it’s a Civic VTEC Turbo 1.5 Sport, we reckon that’ll cost you around €2,600 in VRT.
Can our business register a commercial?
I have a registered business in Ireland. It is a dental practice. But I am not VAT-registered as we do not charge VAT on services. Can I still buy a commercial vehicle and register it through the business and tax it on a commercial basis? I understand that I would have to pay the VAT on the vehicle, but the savings in the motor tax would greatly beneficial.
Shane Curran (Westport )Aug 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Shane,
Yes you can — anyone can buy a commercial vehicle and tax it as a commercial, but the restriction is on use. If you’re using it for personal use (i.e: literally anything other than going to and from work, or transporting items for work), then you really ought to register it as a private car and tax it accordingly. It's a major fine if you’re caught displaying incorrect tax.
Can I used the Disabled Passengers Scheme?
Hi there,
My Dad has recently stopped driving; he's 88 and his mobility has become an issue. Can I apply for a primary med cert and claim back VAT and VRT on a new car? I am an only child and his only means of transportation. Also, how much would the allowance be on a car worth €40,000, for example?
Thanks for your time, John
John Mulrooney (Dublin)Aug 2019 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi John,
Yes, you should be able to apply for a repayment of VRT and VAT on a new car, or the residual VRT on a used car, if you are the named driver of someone who qualifies under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme. I’d start by looking at the Citizens’ Information page on this, and then contacting your local motor tax office when you’re ready to. You may also qualify for free annual motor tax. As for the allowance on a €40,000 car, that will depend on the particular model as the VRT is calculated on emissions, not price.
What are the new BMW 330e seats like?
Hi there.
I'm interested in the new BMW 330e plug-in hybrid. I test drove the older version and found the sports seats very cramped (as I'm a big lad!). Have you any info on the G20 sports seats? Have they been improved/made bigger?
Austin Molloy (Dublin)Aug 2019 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi Austin,
So far, we’ve only test-driven the BMW 330e in one specification — M Sport, which does include sports seats. Now, I’m a fairly chunky guy myself (38-inch waist, bigger tummy, 44-inch chest) and I didn’t notice the seats being especially tight. For reference, I find the bucket seats in the Ford Fiesta ST WAY too tight across the back and thighs. You could always get one that’s not M Sport — Sport spec on the 3 Series is a good half-way house between the basic SE versions and the M Sport models, and comes with seats that are not too heavily bolstered.
Do I need a van AND a car?!
Hi there,
I am looking to get a van. I wish to use it for commercial purposes as I am a fitness instructor and need to transport gear around. Also for personal use. It seems that I can ONLY use the van for commercial purposes and am denied insurance if it is for personal use as well. It seems unnecessary, and is an unfeasible cost, getting a car for personal use and the van for work. I cannot fit the work gear in a car, hence the need for a van. Any advice would be great!
Thanks a mill!
Aime Perkins (Dublin)Aug 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Aime,
As ever, welcome to the wonderful world of Irish car insurance… You’re totally within your rights to be able to use a van as a private car, and actually you’re doing the right thing by registering it for private use, and informing your insurer. Many people just break the law by driving a commercial for private use without ever paying the extra tax or informing their insurer. If you’re struggling to find cover, I would track down a good local broker — they’re usually much more clued into the market than the call-centre staff of insurance firms, and can often find deals that we mere mortals can’t.
A Toyota a replace my Skoda Superb with?
Hi,
I currently have a Skoda Superb estate, which I find handy for the occasional bulky load. I was thinking of probably changing it for a similar model (having daydreamed of more exotic cars like a Ford Raptor - I'm just not willing to pay the annual road tax). However, there is a view out there that the most reliable cars are Toyotas. Is there a Toyota that would come close to to the Superb estate in terms of load capacity?
Thanks
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Aug 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Well, you’re right about Toyotas being reliable. In fact, if reliability is your ultimate goal, then Toyota, Honda and Subaru are usually your safest bets. That said, Skoda is rarely that far behind the big Japanese names in reliability terms, and often is the best-performing European marque in that regard. In terms of load capacity, the answer is almost, but not quite. The roomiest boot in the in the Toyota range right now belongs to the Corolla Touring Sports estate. Now, this is one of our favourite cars right now — good looking, good to drive and with a seriously frugal and future-proofed hybrid engine, but with a 598-litre boot, it’s some 62 litres short of the Superb Combi. Still worth considering though, as, if you can live without the extra litres in the back, then it’s a more cost-effective purchase than the Skoda.
Another alternative is the new RAV4 Hybrid. Again, this is smaller than the Superb in the back — 580 litres when loaded up to the windows — but the boot is big and square, and again the hybrid engine is frugal and it’s got reliability on its side.
Worth remembering though that Skoda is refreshing the Superb this year (order books are open now for delivery later in the year) and there will be a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid in fact, this time around, so it might be worth waiting for that before making a final decision.
Relevant reviews:
Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid Touring Sports estate (2019) review