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Showing 111 - 120 results (out of a total of 393) found for "pass" in Ask Us Anything

Will Toyota accept a diesel trade-in RAV4?

I usually buy a new car every three years, which means I'm due to trade in my two-year-old Toyota RAV4 diesel at the end of 2018. Will my diesel be accepted against a hybrid?

Dan Dineen (Cork)

Mar 2018 Filed under: diesel

Expert answer

Hi Dan,

Yes, it absolutely will be. Diesel values have fallen in the UK, but much less so here, although there is a little ‘softening’ going on. However, if you’re buying another Toyota, there will be promotional activities around hybrid models (not least since Toyota recently announced that it’s going to stop making diesel-engined passenger cars) so I don’t think you’ll have any issues. 


Which cars suit swivel passenger seats?

Hi,

Just wondering which car is best to buy for a swivel front seat passenger as my sister has difficulty getting from her wheelchair to the passenger seat. I thought a swivel seat may help. I drive a Passat, but I was told these are not suited for swivel seats.

Thanks

Linda Fagan (Co Louth)

Feb 2018 Filed under: wheelchair

Expert answer

Hi Linda,

To be honest, we’re not really the experts when it comes to vehicle access in this respect, but we do know the right people to talk to — Motability Ireland, who can be contacted at www.motabilityireland.com


Is the 1.4 TSI enough in the Passat, etc?

We have a 141 diesel Passat 2.0-litre and we want to change to a petrol VW, either a Tiguan or a Passat, but the engine size in both looks underpowered. What should we do?

Shevaun McDonnell (Rathmore, Co.Kerry)

Jan 2018 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel

Expert answer

Hi Shevaun,

Simple: ignore the engine size. The 1.4 TSI turbo petrol engine has 150hp and is totally at home and happy in either the Tiguan or the Passat. In fact, it’s arguably the best choice of engine in either car. Thanks to compact, low-pressure turbocharging, engine size is these days more or less irrelevant. Look at the power and torque figures instead.


Nissan Qashqai or Skoda Karoq?

Hi there

I’m trying to decide between the Nissan Qashqai and the new Skoda Karoq. Any advice for me please?

Thanks

Patrick Hogan (Galway )

Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

While both of these cars make for very good crossovers, having driven both it is the Skoda that feels like the more complete package. For me, the Skoda has a well-rounded look to it, and it has the advantage of being one of the newest cars in the segment. This is also true of the interior, where the Skoda easily surpasses the Nissan. Everything from layout to driving position and even the choice of materials used make the Karoq feel that bit nicer. Even shutting the doors on the Skoda gives a more reassuring thud.

When it comes to driving them, again, the Skoda seems better. The suspension, for example, rides the bumps and surface imperfections better whereas the Nissan can be slightly 'busier.' Nissan does have a good diesel offering as well as new petrol engines, but the same is true of the Skoda. On paper, the Karoq has a higher starting price, but Skoda starts its range with a higher level of standard spec, which is worth considering. The Karoq is likely to be in short supply during 2018, which may impact on delivery times. Nissan currently has some competitive offers, which may help sway you. Personally, I’d go with the Karoq. If you can get one...

Skoda Karoq 1.5 petrol review

Skoda Karoq 1.6 diesel review

Nissan Qashqai 1.6 diesel review

Nissan Qashqai 1.2 petrol review


I need a tiny car with a huge boot...

Hi guys, do you have any quick tips on a small enough hatch with a big boot? I need to use split seats to lock a road bike into the car. For security it needs to be in the car for a while. I can just about do it in a Hyundai i10, but it’s a real squeeze. I fold down the bigger seat split, push the passenger seat forward and in it goes but it’s very tricky. Hoping to do the same with something slightly bigger and easier! Tiny hatch with a shiny modern cockpit and a cavern for a boot anyone?

Cheers!

Richie

Richie Daly (Waterford)

Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Richie,

Not often we get a question with such a straightforward answer, but in this case it’s easy: get a Skoda Fabia Combi. It has a massive 530-litre boot (expanding to 1,395 litres when you fold the seats), but is still pretty compact on the outside. Plus the cabin is classy and comfy and it’s perfectly nice to drive. Your budget won’t quite stretch to a new one, but a year-to-18-month one should be well inside your reach. 

Read our Skoda Fabia Combi review here


Which premium estate for up to €14,000?

Hi.

I'm in a top spec '07 BMW 3 Series 2.0 petrol auto with only 60k miles. I love the car but need more space. Any recommendations you have would be greatly appreciated. My overall budget is max €14k (€10k plus €4k that I hope to get by selling privately, as dealers are only offering me €3k). I would like to stick to a premium brand, and would buy a used estate version of my current car, except they're all diesel and I don't do enough mileage to warrant a diesel engine.

Many thanks and best regards

Tony, Dublin

Tony H (Dublin)

Dec 2017 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Tony,

Well, it would certainly be worth trying to track down a petrol-engined 3 Series Touring estate, but as you rightly point out these are rarer than hens’ molars at the moment. Same story for the Audi A4 Avant and Mercedes C-Class Estate too, I’m afraid. Would you consider a VW Passat Estate? Or a Skoda Superb? A bit of a step down in class terms, I’ll grant you, but good, solid cars and you can track them down with the 1.4 TSI turbo petrol engine. 


Will my car fail its NCT because of this?

Hi,

If the engine management light is on will my car fail its NCT or will they refuse to test the car? I have read online some people saying it will pass and others saying it's a fail, but only on diesal cars. I know in the NCT requirements on dash warning lights it doesn't mention the engine management light.

Mark Corcoran (Dublin)

Nov 2017 Filed under: NCT

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

While anecdotal evidence suggests that there are differences between NCT test centres (and even testers), they are all supposed to follow the same NCT manual. We've scoured it and there doesn't appear to be a specific reference to the engine management light. However, there is allowance for a 'preliminary check' on the engine and a failure can be because of 'obvious engine defects'. That's quite open for interpretation and a tester could well decide that an engine management light on falls under that.

To be fair, if it is on, then it means there's something up with the emissions control system (or its sensors) and the car is not at the standard it should be. Hence I'd recommend getting the issue sorted before going for the NCT.


Will a damaged car pass its NCT?

Will my car pass the NCT with the wheel arch broken on the driver's side?

Darren Reilly (Westmeath )

Nov 2017 Filed under: NCT

Expert answer

Hi Darren,

Unless the damage is very slight and not at all jagged, then yes, it probably will fail. An extract from the NCT manual as a reason for failure: "Secondary structural components missing, insecure, rustedor damaged to such an extent as to leave sharp edges."


We need advice on a faulty car...

Hi,

We need advice on where or what to do next. We bought a 132 VW Passat 1.6 TDI on the 7/4/17 from a dealer for €11,500. Well pleased until five weeks ago when the car had a fire (a fuse went on fire) and burned all the fuses and fuse box to a crisp. The warranty crowd wouldn't cover the damage as it's an electrical fault, but after much rowing and threats of a solicitor the garage said they would cover the damage and put in a new wiring loom and fuse box .

We collected the car last Thursday from a different garage, as the one we bought it from sends all its cars to this crowd for any work that needs doing.  The car drove grand for two days and then problems started intermittingly, wipers packed up, power steering stopped working,  airbag lights on dash, central locking going mad, windows dropping,  etc. Then on Monday, the car refused to start so I checked the fuses (driver's side) and noticed there was no new wiring loom put into the car and all the cables were soldered onto a new fuse box.

The car was recovered last night for it to be fixed again.  This car is now unfit for purpose and we have lost all faith in it.   I can't really afford a solicitor at €150 an hour. Where do we go from here?

Please help!

Ruairi Mc Carthy (Mullagh Co Cavan)

Oct 2017 Filed under: electrics

Expert answer

Hi Ruairi,

 

Oh, that’s just not good, and I’m worrying that you may well actually need a solicitor at this point, especially as clearly one garage or other has reneged on what they told you they were going to do. Did you get, in writing, the assurance that a new wiring loom was going to be installed in the car? That would be helpful.

Basically, under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, either the car or the repair was clearly not ‘of merchantable quality’ and you are entitled, under consumer law, to a full replacement or refund. Car dealers will often try and squirm out of that, but if they do I suggest you tell them you’re going to take it to the small claims court (where there’s no need for a solicitor). If that doesn’t get them moving, then it’s time to get the lawyers in.


Cost to change to new 181 VW Passat?

Any idea of cost to change for 181 Volkswagen Passat Highline 1.6 TDI? Trading in 161 Passat Highline with 56,000km on the odometer.

Diarmuid Walsh

Diarmuid Walsh (Carndonagh)

Oct 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Diarmuid,

Your 161 Passat should be worth around the €20-23,000 mark as a trade-in (depending on the condition and history) and a new Passat Highline 1.6 TDI starts at €34,795, so your cost of change is going to be around €12-14,000.


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