Why has my Dacia's power steering failed?
I have a Dacia Sandero Ambiance 1.2 not done 19,000 miles yet. But have lost power steering. The car is three years and two months old. Any idea what the problem could be?
Matthew Green (Galashiels )Feb 2018 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Matthew,
The first thing to check is if the auxiliary drive belt is intact and turning the power steering pump pulley as it should be. Then check the fluid level of the power steering system itself. If both of those things appear fine then we'd suggest you need the services of a good mechanic to take a closer look at the pump and perhaps the steering rack too.
Is this Ford Kuga timing belt schedule right?
I bought a Ford Kuga in Jan 2015 and have done 127,000km. I was asked to change the timing belt today at a Ford service. I Googled and found out that I can do up to 200,000km or 10 years between timing belt replacements. If that is so I could save money now and do it later. Can you advise? Mine is three years old and I service it regularly, at least every three months, as I am always driving long distances alone.
Bee Hoon Lim (Batu Pahat, Johor)Feb 2018 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Bee,
You've not told us which engine your Kuga has, so we're assuming it's the 2.0 TDCi diesel. That does indeed come with a 200,000km/10 years schedule for the timing belt.
Does the Kia Stinger need lots of servicing?
I notice in the detailed UK specs for the Kia Stinger (which otherwise appears like a wonderful car), it says, both for the 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre petrol engines, that the service interval is a mere six months. This seems weird when many new cars with powerful engines have a two-year service interval, at least for the first service. What do you think?
Thanks Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Feb 2018 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
I spoke to Kia Ireland about this and though it won't be offering the 2.0-litre petrol model for sale here, it did confirm that service intervals for the 3.0-litre model will be 15,000km or once a year. The 2.2-litre diesel is 30,000km or once a year.
What will we get for our 2008 Toyota Auris?
Hi,
Just wondering what realistically should we be getting on a trade in for a 2008 Toyota Auris petrol Terra with 160,000km on the clock and no issues? We are now looking for something more spacious. I know you can't guarantee what should be offered, but in your opinion what would be a fair trade in price for it?
Thanks
Mark Thomas (Ballina)Jan 2018 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
It should be worth in and around the €4,500 mark, a little less as a trade-in, but that will depend on condition and service history of course.
Timing belt change in 2014 Skoda Rapid?
What is the recommended service interval to change the timing belt in the 2014 Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI?
Padmanabhaiah Duddela (Secunderabad)Jan 2018 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi there,
The maximum interval is 210,000 kilometres, regardless of duration. The timing belt tensioner should be changed at the same time.
Is the Volvo XC90 a good family buy?
Hi lads,
I've 16, 15 and 5 year olds and another one on the way. I have a Volvo S80, but will need to change. I don't like MPVs as the rear seats are too close to the back of the vehicle so if you have a tip I'd be worried about the back two. I saw a 2010 Volvo XC90 the last day in a car park and it had two child seats in the back, two in the middle and a 15-year-old by the window and the two parents. I asked them what did they think of it. They said they had a Discovery before but found the Volvo more family oriented, safe and reliable. Would you agree? What else would you consider?
Oh, I've a daft labrador as well that would have to go in the boot!
Thanks
Justin McElwee (Galway)Jan 2018 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Justin,
The old-shape XC90 is definitely a good choice and yes they’re reliable (as long as you get one with a full service history and keep it looked after properly). They can be a little expensive to run, though, with big thirsty engines and high motor tax rates. It would definitely be worth considering the likes of a SEAT Alhambra or Ford S-Max as well, if you’re looking for lots of seats and space, or even a Volkswagen Caravelle or Shuttle if you want the absolute maximum in terms of seats and cargo room. Definitely room for the labrador in one of those, even if you don't like the look of the MPVs...
E46 BMW M3 or 996 Porsche 911?
Hi folks, looking to buy some nice sunday car for birthday present to myself. Thinking BMW M3 E46 or Porsche 911 996 model, both NA, around year 2003 and max €12,000. What will be better pick - for reliability and future classic status maybe?
Thanks
Roland, Swords
Roland Benko (Swords)Nov 2017 Filed under: classic cars
Expert answer
Hi Roland,
It’s a simple choice — the Porsche. Not that we don’t love the E46 M3 and its snarling straight-six soundtrack, but the problem will be finding a good one. With prices dropping, a lot have fallen into disreputable hands, and for a car that needs careful and constant maintenance, that’s bad news.
Not that there are no bad Porsches out there, but the 996 is almost (almost) an investment. Prices are starting to nudge upward, so search for the best possible one you can find, don’t buy without a really solid Porsche service history (or one from a reputable independent specialist) and be prepared to spend a reasonable amount keeping it maintained. Do that, and it might just increase in value over the next few years.
Should we chop in our costly Volvo?
I own a 2009 Volvo V70 flexifuel. We love the car. We have two children and it is perfect for us. It is roomy, reliable and safe. We plan to buy a caravan so it will be suitable for towing. The only downsides are it costs €1,200 per year to tax, it is relatively heavy on fuel, it has a low service interval (10,000km) and the timing belt is due.
Should we cut our losses and trade it in for a diesel? We previously owned a diesel Mazda5 that gave us a lot of problems with the DPF, thus our aversion to diesel. We will be doing small mileage with long runs during the summer holidays (maybe towing a caravan). Am I being irrational in avoiding diesels because of the DPF issue? Currently I am spending €100 a month on road tax so I would be prepared to spend €200 a month on a vehicle if I was to change.
Your advice would be appreciated
Ray
Ray Mehigan (Limerick)Nov 2017 Filed under: running costs
Expert answer
Hi Ray,
To be honest, it sounds to me as if you should just stick with it. I appreciate that it’s not much fun spending €1,200 a year on motor tax, and that the service interval is a bit short, but if you’re only doing short mileages with the occasional long trip, then you’re just going to be throwing money at trading up to a car you don’t really need.
DPF issues are never far away from a diesel car if you’re only doing low mileage, but the biggest issue is going to be the cost of change. A budget of €200 a month isn’t going to get you very much, to be honest, so I would just do the work your Volvo needs and stick with it.
Which engine in a 2018 VW Polo?
Can you please explain the engine choice in the new 2018 Volkswagen Polo? Wondering are the naturally aspirated petrol options 65hp and 75hp only suitable for city driving? I understand the TSI petrol 95hp are only available in automatic, is this true? I do mostly city and country driving with the occasional motorway trip. At the moment I drive a 1.4 diesel 75hp Peugeot 207 and want to go for petrol as my yearly mileage is only 6,000 kilometres. Which petrol engine do you think would be the best for me?
Regards,
Catherine
Catherine Connolly (Galway )Nov 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
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.