Can I change my 2011 VW Golf's speed units?
Hey,
I have a 2011 VW Golf and it’s a UK import. I was just wondering am I able to change the digital dial and the speedometer to km/h? I’m a learner in Ireland so it would be easier for me to have it in km/h instead of mph.
Seoirse (Ireland )Jan 2025 Filed under: learner
Expert answer
Hi Seoirse,
I’m afraid there’s no way for you to do that yourself in the settings. It requires a change to the car’s country code, which can only be done by Volkswagen or via some “OBD” tools that independent garages use. If you have a good mechanic, mention that to them and see if they’re willing to help.
Will the VW Tayron come in 4x4 spec to Ireland?
Will the VW Tayron be sold in 193hp 4x4 spec here in Ireland?
John O’Leary (Tullow)Jan 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
When the Tayron was first unveiled, Volkswagen Ireland did indicate that yes, it would bring in the 193hp 4x4 model and we've not had an update since then. I can see that this model is not listed on the Tayron Product Guide currently available on Volkswagen Ireland's website, but that is not unusual at the launch of a new model as it may not be initially available.
Love your VW ID.7 Tourer review...
Not a question, just a compliment: love the ID.7 Tourer review. It’s engaging, clearly knowledgeable and beautifully written. Thank you from a driver of a new (well 242) Octavia estate Selection box. Sweet (excuse the pun!).
Gerry Earley (Co Dublin)Jan 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Thanks for the kind words Gerry - I've passed on your comments to the author, Neil.
For anyone else interested, the full review can be accessed here.
When to check my Skoda Octavia's timing belt?
Hi,
I've just bought a 2014 Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSI Elegance petrol. Car has only completed 24,000km. No indication whether a timing belt has previously been changed. Car runs perfectly. Can you advise when I should start think about checks /changing the belt please?
Thanks
Mike Savva (London)Jan 2025 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
That engine has one of Volkswagen Group's so-called 'long life' timing belts that don't actually come with any set replacement schedule. That's very low mileage but even so there's no harm asking your mechanic to take the 'top cover' off each time the car is serviced to check the condition of the belt itself.
Can I use a VW Amarok for private use?
Hi,
I am trying to buy a Volkswagen Amarok because I am constantly driving around quarries as I am a truck driver, and my car just doesn’t suit the terrain. I have tried enquiring about insurance for this and they are asking for proof of my business but since I am working for someone and not owning my own business then I cannot get insurance
Is there any way I could change the Amarok over from commercial use to private despite the price of tax but just so that I can insure it as a car?
Thank you very much
Jake Hunter (Doneraile)Jan 2025 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Jake,
You can easily notify your local motor tax office that you will be using a pickup like the Amarok for private use, and then pay the required motor tax. Unfortunately, that may not satisfy the insurers. Best to ask them before you buy the vehicle if this will be sufficient, and also make sure you get a quote.
If you have no joy, consider employing the services of an independent insurance broker to do the legwork for you.
Best of luck
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.
What rights do I have with my mechanic?
My car needed a new engine due to back pressure issues and a mechanic put in a 2011 2.0-litre Volkswagen Passat engine that he sourced for me, but the engine isn’t running right at all.
He told me it’s fine and to give it a good drive, but since then it’s sluggish while changing gears, there’s smoke and it wouldn’t start for me the other night. I have rang said mechanic and he has told me that it’s up to me to ring the person he sourced the engine off.
Where do I stand here? Is it up to me to pay labour all over again? Should it be me ringing the person he sourced the engine off?
The only problem with my old engine was oil around its injectors. I got them replaced but same thing happened so I opted for a new engine which I was told my multiple people I should do. Am I at a loss here? Is it worth chasing my mechanic over the problems?
Thanks!
Megan Murray (Kilcormac)Nov 2024 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Megan,
That's a very difficult situation and also not easy to untangle from a legal perspective. The mechanic certainly has some responsibility if they sourced the engine for you, though I'd suggest that extends only to communicating with the seller of the engine. They are ultimately responsible for its condition, depending on how it was presented to your mechanic.
Go back to the mechanic and tell them you think it's their responsibility to sort out one way or another and see how you get on. If you have no luck, consider getting in touch with the CPCC (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission) as it may be well-placed to advise you.
Hopefully you have all of this fully documented.
Best of luck
Thoughts on my Golf's timing belt interval?
Hi,
Re: timing belt interval on Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI (Mark 7.5, first registered 2019).
Has Volkswagen changed the intervals on timing belts? When I bought my 2019 Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI I enquired as to the interval for the timing belt and was informed that it would need replacing at 240,000km or if that mileage was not reached it should last the life of the vehicle.
Today when I scheduled my car for a routine service at about 87,000km I was told that the interval for timing belt is either at five years of age or 120,000km. The cost of replacement at main dealer is a massive €700. I made a point of confirming the timing belt interval when I bought the car to budget for the overall costs of running the car while in my ownership. I feel aggrieved with Volkswagen if it's the case it has changed the interval without notice.
The cynic in me would think VW is merely lining its pockets. Am I taking a risk if I don't change the belt now that the car is five years old although the mileage is only 87,000km?
Thanks, Des
Des D (Maynooth)Nov 2024 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Des,
Our information is 240,000km or 15 years on that car, but in truth, the dealer should know best. A car manufacturer wouldn't just change the interval for the sake of 'lining its pockets' as you've described and it's not unusual for changes to the interval to happen in a car's lifetime as experience is gathered.
No harm double checking that information with a few other Volkswagen dealerships and, as the car is out of warranty anyway, you can always consider getting the work done at an independent garage.
Should we replace our Tiguan with an EV?
Hello,
We currently own a VW Tiguan R Line and coming to the end of PCP plan in August next year. I am considering a new Tiguan and also the new Skoda Kodiaq. I also have been doing a bit of research into possibly buying an EV. Some are now considerably cheaper than the normal ICE vehicles.
We have three kids and the normal mileage is 25k km per year. Over the next couple of months we are looking at the cost of change. We also chatted about the possibility of keeping our current car for another few years and wait for EVs to get better technology and range. There is also the depreciation aspect of EVs presently and the price of batteries are still falling.
Would it be a good time to change to EV or wait?
Wayne Fitzpatrick (Athy)Oct 2024 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Wayne,
I think it's a good time to change into an EV if it suits your needs. With that mileage, you really would have to have a charger at home to keep the cost down and to make charging as convenient as possible.
Once you do make the changeover you'll never want to go back. I speak from experience on that score (we're on our second new EV) despite still classing myself as a 'petrolhead'. A Volkswagen ID.4 did us well for three years on PCP (we also have three kids and that car had ample room for our needs) before we replaced it this year.
Don't expect technology and range to dramatically improve overnight as that just won't happen - it'll be a gradual improvement with each year. PCP is well suited to making that change without worrying too much about future values.
VRT on an imported VW Transporter?
Hi,
A friend of mine purchased and imported a Volkswagen Transporter van a year ago from England but didn't pay the VRT yet. He has paid the Customs Duty (10%) and VAT (23%) but didn't pay the VRT.
How much would the VRT be if he decides to pay it (including any late payment penalties where applicable)? Is it VRT Category B of 13.3% of OMSP or is it €200 flat fee based on N1 van category as it has only three front seats (no back seats) and a laden mass greater than 130% of the mass in service (whatever that means)?
Thanks
Des D (Maynooth)Sep 2024 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Des,
The late payment penalty is 0.1 per cent per day after the allowed 30 days. If the van is as described, with a VRT fee of €200, then the daily penalty added on is just 20 cents...