Is there an automatic Citroen C3 Aircross?
Does the Citroen C3 Aircross come in an automatic version?
Neil Brown (Wicklow)Dec 2025 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Neil,
Yes, in fact most versions of the new C3 Aircross are automatic. There are electric and hybrid models that are automatic. Only the regular petrol engine can be had with a manual gearbox.
Thoughts on my Kia Rio's clutch?
Having an issue with a 2021 Kia Rio (manual transmission) which I bought new.
A couple of weeks ago, it got stuck in second gear while driving. I pulled in, turned the engine off: gears working perfectly. Turned engine on: it got stuck in gear again. After a few minutes it came right again by itself.
Got it checked in the garage where I bought the car, but they found nothing wrong with it. The car was driving perfectly fine then for nearly three weeks. Then the same thing happened again.
Brought it to the garage again. Was told it was a slipping clutch. I doubt that very much as the car is just four years old with 75,000 kilometres on the clock.
They took their sweet time with repairing it! I received no phone calls from them, no quote, nothing. I had to keep ringing them for updates.
Today out of the blue, I got a text message saying my car had been repaired: "Full clutch replacement" at €1,400. I'm still in shock.
What's the story with the Kia warranty: seven years or 150,000 kilometres? I think a clutch shouldn't fail abruptly after four years and 75,000 kilometres.
I reckon it's a faulty component, rather than wear and tear.
Silvia (Offaly)Nov 2025 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi Silvia,
Though it's not ideal that the garage went ahead and did the work without providing a quote and your permission to do so beforehand, I fear there's very little you can do now. Ideally you would have brought the car to an independent assessor to verify the issue.
Clutch wear would never be covered under warranty as I'm sure you know and yeah, it could wear out in such an amount of time, depending on how and where the car is driven, though I must admit that the symptoms you've described don't seem to tie in with the diagnosis provided.
I'm not sure what route you have for any recourse at this stage.
Trade-in value of this 2017 BMW X1?
What would you value a 2017 BMW X1 sDrive18d manual with a panoramic sunroof and 145,000km on the clock, in good condition, for on a trade in?
Martin (Meath)Nov 2025 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
You could be offered as low as €12,000 we suspect. Sell it yourself and you may get over €15,000 depending on a variety of factors, but that takes a lot more effort, obviously.
What is "m" on a car's drive selector?
The panel that has the buttons for drive, parking and reverse also has a button that says “m” - what is the m for?
Neil Brown (Wicklow)Nov 2025 Filed under: gearbox
Expert answer
Hi Neil,
You've not told us which car you are referring to, but we suspect it's a Stellantis one with an automatic gearbox. The "m" in that case would allow the driver to select a manual gearchanging mode and they change gears via paddles behind the steering wheel.
Where to stick a toll tag on an Opel Grandland?
Where can you place a toll badge on the windshield of an Opel Grandland GS electric? The entire windshield is covered in heating wires, and there are no black dotted areas where you'd normally place a badge.
Or wouldn't the heating wires interfere with the badge? I haven't received a satisfactory answer anywhere, not even from Opel, where it simply says, "Just stick it somewhere on the windshield, it'll work."
Thanks in advance for a reply
Eric De Bruyne (Belgium)Aug 2025 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Eric,
The heating element should have no effect on the toll tag being read at all, but if the glass has a layer to help reduce noise etc. that can have an effect.
Near the very top and as close to the middle as you can ususally works, but no harm trying a few options manually (with a passenger holding the tag in place) to ensure the chosen location works.
Have I been overcharged for a timing belt change?
Have just paid for a timing belt on a ford focus 1.6 Zetec TDCi manual and it has cost me €1,650. The mechanic said he had skimmed the head gaskets as well. Have I been over charged? Your answer would be much appreciated, thank you.
David (Belgium)Jun 2025 Filed under: repair
Expert answer
Hi David,
Unless the timing belt broke, leading to you getting this work done, then I see no reason why the garage would have removed the cylinder head while replacing it. That is not routine.
It also is not possible to skim a head gasket, so presumably the mechanic said he skimmed the cylinder head itself. If they removed the cylinder head to do that as well as replace all the parts associated with the timing belt then the price doesn't sound unreasonable, but I'd question why the cylinder head was removed if this was supposed to be a regular timing belt change.
Where to get CO2 figure for a Japanese Toyota GT86?
Hello.
Where I can get Japanese CO2 emissions for a 2014 Toyota GT86, model DBA-ZN6, engine code FA20?
Marek (Ireland)May 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Marek,
Go to https://www.mlit.go.jp/jidosha/jidosha_fr10_000019.html (and use a browser that will automatically translate it from Japanese to English for you) and scroll down to item 6 and get Excel files full of information for loads of JDM cars. Those hold engine codes, etc, fuel consumption and CO2 data.
We found several entries for the Toyota you mentioned, with CO2 varying from 173-187g/km depending on the specific version of car.
If you're importing this car, Revenue will likely take the official NEDC CO2 figure for the European market and 'uplift' it to WLTP standards, meaning that even the automatic model will likely be in Band F (191-225g/km), while the manual may be in Band G (226g/km and higher).
Does the MGS5 have lumbar adjustment?
Does the MGS5 have lumbar support adjustment?
Eugene Walsh (Ireland)Apr 2025 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi Eugene,
While we don't yet have Irish specifications for that car, MG UK has confirmed its offering for the S5 EV and it includes manual lumbar support for the driver on the top Trophy Long Range model only.
We would expect the Irish cars to be the same.
When does the Citroen C3 Aircross arrive in Ireland?
When will the new Citroen C3 Aircross be available in Ireland? Will it be available in a manual petrol version?
Thanks
Margaret Mcshane (Ireland)Apr 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Margaret,
The first examples of the C3 Aircross will arrive in the third quarter of the year according to Citroen Ireland. And yes, the 100hp petrol model will be available with a manual gearbox.
What to replace my SEAT Ateca with?
Hi guys,
I'd like your advice please on what to change my SEAT Ateca for or stick like for like (it's a lovely drive).
I live in north Donegal so very windy roads but now spend three out of four weeks in Louth caring for my father who's had a stroke, So wheelchair and Zimmer frame space is needed. I already have heated front seats in mine, that's a must, plus I mind my grandnephew and there's a new baby on the way so it needs to be easy to fit a car seat also.
Because Donegal is so hilly I need a good bit of power. I was thinking automatic for the longer drives but honestly don't mind manual. I'm also used to diesel, I'd like rear parking assistance, Bluetooth, anti-collision detection if possible.
So many to choose from my brain is addled, I've a 172 Ateca at the moment so want to go 2021+ and my maximum budget is €16,000 plus whatever I get for my car as a trade-in.
Any advice would be great thank you
Lorraine Rath (Gweedore)Mar 2025 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Lorraine,
There really is a lot of choice out there, but we will try to help you narrow things down.
With your car as a trade-in, and the €16,000 budget on top, we'll look for cars up to about €27,000.
First up, narrowing the search to automatic SUVs post-2021 really limits your options to the Nissan Qashqai, which isn't very powerful, the Peugeot 3008 (which is quite rare) or the Skoda Karoq and Volkswagen Tiguan. The latter two are potentially worth a look as they're built on much the same underpinnings as your Ateca and their 2.0 TDI engines have plenty of go. There aren't many of them about with automatic gearboxes though.
Removing the constraint on that opens up the options considerably and one car that stands out for us right away is the Mazda CX-5. It's perhaps not as common as some others, but it's great to drive in particular and it should tick all your other boxes. Try to get hold of one to test drive for yourself.
A newer Ateca is of course an option, and we're big fans of the SEAT, but all the newer ones we found haven't a very powerful engine.
The Peugeot 3008 is another car we like and would encourage you to try it out for size. There are plenty of them about with a manual gearbox.
All of these should have the niceties you're looking for as well.
Come back to us if you need help narrowing your search further, or if you want our opinions on any other alternative to the above.