Issues with stop-start!
What's happening with stop-start? On my current and previous brand-new cars - Ford Focus and now a VW Golf - the start-stop system stopped working after about three weeks. On the Focus it worked for about another two weeks with a battery charge.
Eventually we paid for a new battery at the garage's suggestion. It wasn't covered by warranty according to Ford head office whom we had it out with. That also worked only for a few weeks. I drove it without for nearly all of the two years I had it.
Same is happening now with the Golf after three weeks. It should work. It's part of the car specs and it's good with my DSG gearbox. Have I the right to insist this be fixed or am I nitpicking? The car is four weeks old.
I'm also getting conflicting information on whether to put the car in neutral or drive on short stops at lights etc. when start-stop isn't working.
This is doing my head in and I'd really appreciate your help.
Thanks.
Teresa O'Donnell (Ennis)Apr 2022 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Teresa,
We used to get so many queries on this subject that we published a feature called Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
If you read that you'll discover that the systems are highly sensitive to battery charge and load, even when working perfectly. Could it be that you often have high-load items switched on? Things like heated seats, air conditioning, rear window demister, that sort of thing.
Now, in a DSG-equipped automatic car, you shouldn't need to put the car into neutral to get the stop-start system to work - that's only on manual cars. You can leave it in D (drive). What does affect it, however, is how firmly you are holding your foot on the brake pedal when at a standstill. Sometimes it's necessary to give the brake pedal a firm push before the engine will cut out.
Other things to watch out for: if you move the steering wheel, it is likely to cause the engine to restart. And if you're in the Sport driving mode or you've selected the Sport gearbox setting, then stop-start might not work either.
If none of the above changes your experience, I suggest getting a mechanic to come out in the car with you to check it over and observe how you drive, and then let them do the same.
Best of luck with it - come back to us and let us know how you get on.
Why is my Santa Fe tax so high?
Hello,
I brought home a Santa Fe from Australia - it's a 151 2.2 litre and it's the exact same car as the Santa Fe here as all the parts for servicing and all fit no bother. It has an automatic transmission. My question is the tax on it is €750 a year; how is it so high compared to any other Santa Fes here?
Regard Phelim
Phelim Moran (Wicklow)Jan 2022 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Phelim,
A rate of €750 a year suggests that the car has been put into the 171-190g/km emissions band. That does seem higher than native Irish Santa Fes. When did you import the car? It sounds to me that Revenue may have 'uplifted' the NEDC emissions rating to its WLTP equivalent, something that has happened since 1 January 2021.
See our Guide to Importing Cars from the UK feature for more information - most of that applies to a car imported from Australia too. Hopefully that helps you understand it.
Cost to replace a Kia Picanto head gasket?
Just wondering if you would know how much would it cost to replace the head gasket on a 2008 Kia Picanto automatic?
Stuart O Neill (Gorey)Sep 2021 Filed under: repair
Expert answer
Hi Stuart,
I'm afraid we don't ever attempt to give such prices, as both parts and labour costs vary considerably depending on where you get the work done. It will be several hundred Euro anyway, unfortunately, and the labour shouldn't be quoted as much more than four hours.
Looking for outright comfort in a car...
I am trying to identify the car that will provide the best possible ride quality for my wife who suffers from chronic pain due to multiple injuries.
So far she has found an Audi A3 and Audi A4 too hard, a Mercedes A 220 much better but with a seat that pushes her neck forward, a Volvo V40 R-Design with the best seat for her so far but too harsh a ride.
Perhaps you cannot say precisely what brand and model of car might be more suitable but the factors that overall might offer the best solution. Under consideration at the moment are a Volvo XC40 or XC60 and a Subaru Forester.
Thanks.
Seamus - Dublin 14
Seamus Connolly (Dublin 14)Mar 2021 Filed under: comfort
Expert answer
Hi Seamus,
This is obviously a tricky decision, and we wish your wife all the best in coping with this. When it comes to ride quality, the most important factors are the stiffness, overall, of the suspension, the size of the wheels, and the sidewall depth of the tyres. Basically, smaller wheels and normal suspension is the rule of thumb if you’re trying to get a car with a soft ride quality.
SUVs are actually generally quite bad for ride quality. That sounds counter-intuitive, because of course they’re taller and have longer-travel suspension, but the problem is that the springs and dampers have to be stiffened up to prevent the higher centre of gravity from inducing too much body roll. I would therefore suggest that keeping away from SUVs would be a good bet.
That said, the Subaru Forester you’ve mentioned below does indeed have a soft ride quality, again as long as you avoid the larger alloy wheel options. Ditto the smaller Subaru XV, which is helpfully lower to the ground and can get away with slightly softer suspension rates. Citroen, of course, is famed for having pillowy-soft ride quality, and the current C5 Aircross is pretty soft and springy, and has great seats into the bargain. You should definitely look at a Toyota Camry as well (very soft, and again with great seats) and the Skoda Superb.
Avoid anything that has a sporty designation (S line, R-Line, M Sport etc) as that will almost automatically have stiffer springs and bigger wheels.
Hope that helps. Below are links to our reviews of the cars mentioned above:
Is a write-off still under warranty?
I bought a 2019 Citroen Dispatch Van in the UK with 6,000 miles on it. Had light frontal damage (a wing and a headlight), but was recorded as a category S. I bought the wing and headlamp off Citroen and got the vehicle repaired by an approved body shop. The radio is not working correctly (a common fault) and a sensor went in the exhaust. Citroen refuses to do it under warranty because it's category S. By law can it refuse to do this work? I will get an engineer's report if required but it won't make a difference. In fairness, the dealership is willing to do it but Citroen won't honour it.
Owen Ryan (Templemore)Feb 2021 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi Owen,
Unfortunately, by law, Citroen can refuse to carry out work under warranty on a car that’s been written off. You’d need to get a solicitor to comb through the fine print of the original warranty agreement to make absolutely sure, but in general — across Europe and in the UK — if a car is written off by an insurer, even for something as trifling as panel damage, then the warranty on that car is automatically void. It’s because if it was to carry out warranty work, there could be legal implications further down the line if a safety issue to do with the writing-off were to be found, or worse still someone injured themselves in the vehicle because of something that should have been spotted.
Thoughts on 2014 diesel Ford Kuga?
I’m thinking of buying a 2014 2.0-litre diesel Ford Kuga with 80,000 miles on the clock: what are the pit falls?
Jim
Jim Willett (Chelmsford)Nov 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Jim,
Assuming you're sure that diesel power is for you, the Kuga is not a bad choice. There were various different power outputs available, so make sure you test it and that you're happy with the performance. The only major thing to look out for is the dual-clutch automatic gearbox - we'd steer clear of it if at all possible as it comes with many known faults.
NOx value on this 2017 Skoda Kodiaq?
Hi,
What is the NOx value for a 2017 Skoda Kodiaq with CO2 value of 151g/km? It's the 2.0-litre TDI 190 4x4 SEL seven-seater with the DSG automatic gearbox.
Luke Dunphy (Dublin)Nov 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Luke,
That car should have a NOx value of 39mg/km.
Should I register my imported pickup now?
Hi,
I’m looking to buy a Toyota Hilux Active Double Cab pickup, a 3.0-litre automatic from Northern Ireland for £15,000. Would it benefit me to register it in Ireland before Jan 2021? Also, I’m using it for my business. How much will motor tax cost annually? I do not know what the NOx emissions are or where to obtain them.
Regards Donal Slattery
Eamon Slattery (Co Galway)Oct 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Eamon,
If you're buying and registering this as a commercial vehicle, with no private use, then it doesn't matter if you do it now or after 1 January 2021, as commercial vehicle tax and VRT have not changed. See below for more information:
Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained
Disabled driver that wants to trade up in Feb...
I am on the Disabled Drivers Scheme and want to trade up next Feb '21. I currently drive a Mercedes A-Class hatchback that has been valued at €22,500. I would like to change to something a bit more robust as most of my driving is on country roads. I carry backseat passengers very occasionally and would like a decent sized boot. Automatic gearbox and reversing camera are neccessary. Also something stylish. I have €4,500 to spend with my current car and the DDS allowance. Don't mind petrol or diesel.
Thank you,
Grainne D, Cork
Grainne Dennehy (Rosscarbery)Oct 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Grainne,
As previously noted, you’ll need to have a current and valid primary medical cert as new certs are not being issued right now thanks to a Supreme Court decision that has thrown the rebate scheme for disabled drivers into limbo. However, if you already have the cert, you should still be able to avail of the VRT and VAT rebates, so that should be fine (although it’s worth checking ahead of time — it’s a bit of a moving target at the moment).
I think that a Skoda Kamiq might be the right sort of car for you. Not much bigger on the outside than the Merc, but more roomy within, and with the necessary automatic gearbox and reversing camera on the options list. Get it with the sweet little 1.0-litre petrol engine and you’re onto a winner. It’ll be well within your budget, too.
VRT and tax on imported Toyota Hilux?
Hi,
I am relocating to Ireland (Co Cork) and I have purchased a Toyota Hilux pick up truck, but I am confused as to the rates of VRT. I will be starting a dog kennels business and using the truck for the business. Do I qualify for the €333 tax or is it something different? Car is a 67 plate bought in the UK, VAT paid, 2.2-litre automatic with 21,000 miles on the clock.
I really appreciate your help as it is very confusing on the Revenue website.
Many thanks
Mark
Mark Hartin (Basingstoke)Sep 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
As far as VRT is concerned, pickup trucks generally fall into Category B for tax, which means you’ll pay 13.3 per cent of the Irish Open Market Selling Price, as defined by Revenue. A 2017 Hilux will generally run at about €23,000 on the Irish market, so you’ll be paying in and around €3,000 in VRT.
That €333 rate is the annual rate of motor tax for a commercial vehicle, though be aware that you cannot use the vehicle for any private reasons if you tax it as a commercial.