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.
Do I need to tax a UK car on the way home?
The UK car I want to buy does not have UK road tax and the dealer says I need to buy it to drive on UK roads to get up to Holyhead. You can only buy UK road tax for a minimum of six months, do I need to get it if only driving there for a day?
Bill Foster (Dublin)Oct 2019 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Bill,
Technically, and strictly legally speaking, yes you do I’m afraid. It’s an offence to drive a car on the public road in Ireland or the UK without having paid motor tax. You could be fined £80 on the spot in the UK, and potentially have to pay as much as £1,000 if the case went to court. All in all, it’s just not worth the risk.
Easiest way to change ownership of a car?
My boyfriend at the time said he would give me his car, but we have broken up since and I don't want the car anymore. He has sent me over the logbook and the car he is now driving still is under my name when it was previously in his name, so my question is how do I get it back under his name? I have tried looking online and can't find anything. I have the logbook; does he just need to fill in his details and send it off then?
Thank you
Nikita Heffernan (Limerick)Oct 2019 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Nikita,
Sorry to hear about the break up and, can we just say you’re being exceptionally nice in giving back the car. It should be pretty straightforward, and there’s no cost involved. Every vehicle should come with a Vehicle Registration Certificate. Simply fill that in with your ex’s details and send it off the the Driver and Vehicle Computer Services Division, in Shannon.
That should take care of it.
Issue with my 2011 Audi A6 gearbox.
I have a 2011 model Audi A6 and thecar jumps when driving, says gearbox malfunction, but you can still drive. I flushed out oil and changed the gearbox filter and still the problem remains. But I noticed when the car has driven for a while it will stop and it drives smoothly.
Please help
Felix Ndukwe (Cape Town )Sep 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Felix,
Looking at the 2.0 TDI automatic model at the start of the 2011 generation A6, there are a couple of known issues with the gearbox. The first is with the hydraulic accumulator, which may cause juddering. This potentially needs to be replaced to eradicate the issue. A separate issue comes from the transmission control module that can lead to error codes appearing on the dashboard - it requires reprogramming most likely.
Should I change this B-Max's timing belt?
I'm buying a 2013 Ford B-Max 1.4 petrol. It has been lying up for six months with a drive a couple of times a week. The mileage is 57,647km; should I look at changing the timing belt since it wasn't driving much and is six years old?
David Geoghegan (Mullingar)Sep 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi David,
The recommended interval is 160,000 kilometres or eight years, whichever comes first, so technically it's not due yet. However, in your position, I'd definitely go ahead and change it, just in case.
What's wrong with my Focus?
My Ford Focus cuts out when driving and there's oil on top of the piston...
Lana Matthews (Folkestone)Sep 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Lana,
I assume a mechanic took a look into the cylinder using a boroscope or similar to confirm that there is oil on the piston. Without knowing any details on your car or the engine, we'd suggest that some serious engine work is required. A good mechanic will advise where to start.
What's up with my Land Rover's stop-start?
Had my car's stop-start checked by Land Rover when it didn’t operate. They said it was the battery. They fitted a new heavy duty battery and the stop-start worked for about a week... It now only works with fan off. Could this be due the recent heat wave and use of the air conditioning? Very temperamental. Advise if possible.
H Stokes
Harry Stokes (Bedford)Aug 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Harry,
The most likely culprit is that there’s some electrical item draining the system as you’re driving. Or, possibly if you’re only driving for short hops, the engine is still in its warm-up phase and can’t be shut down by the stop/start. Or, and this is a wild guess, Land Rovers often have flakey electrics.
Maybe read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature for further understanding. We get a lot of questions like this.
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.
Will my private van be given a CVT still?
Hi there,
I’ve just bought a van it’s described as a goods vehicle on my registration document. I’m taxing it for private use as I’m not farming anymore. Do I need to get goods changed to private on the registration document? And how much will DOE test cost and will it be still tested in centre for vans?
Regards Catherine
Bridie Kenny ( Galway)Aug 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Bridie,
Yes, if you’re going to use a van or pick-up as a private vehicle, then you really ought to change the classification on the registration document. A trip to your local motor tax office will help in this regard. As for the test, yes, even though it’s now being used for private driving, it’ll still have to go through the Commercial Vehicle Test (CVT — the new name for the old DOE test) and that costs €94 for a van or 4x4 commercial.
Is my Jaguar's stop-start ok?
On my new Jaguar E-Pace, the stop-start system only turns the engine off for a maximum of 16 seconds; do you think this acceptable?
R Hill
Robert Hill (Tenbury Wells)Expert answer
Hi Robert.
Stop-start systems have a mind of their own — literally. They’re designed to only stop the engine when demand for electrical supply within the car falls low enough that it’s safe to do so. So if you’re running the air conditioning, for instance, or have the heat turned up, or if the engine is still in its warm-up phase, then it will either not shut the engine off at all, or will only shut it off briefly. Driving style also plays into it, as does where and when you’re driving. It also depends on the battery condition, so if you’re concerned about the short stop-start times, it’s worth having the health and charge level of the battery checked.
Finally, as we get so many questions on this subject, we put together a quick feature on it for your interest: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?