I have a troublesome Toyota Avensis...
I'm having a lot of problems with my 2010 Toyota Avensis: problems with front tyres wearing; opening the boot and the doors. These are all problems with the 2010 model. Is Toyota standing behind and fixing all these problems?
Pat Murphy (Ballina)Aug 2016 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
Well, it’s impossible for us to comment on an individual car that we haven’t seen and don’t know the history of. Toyotas tend to be very reliable and well made, and the Avensis especially so, but no car is entirely without its issues and much depends on maintenance, care and attention to detail. Have you tried contacting your Toyota dealer? Did the problems occur within the original warranty period? Does the car have a full and complete service history?
Any problems with the Corolla's gearbox?
Are there any inherent problems in the gearbox of the Toyota Corolla 1.4 diesel?
Brian Tolan
Virginia, Co Cavan
Brian Tolan (Virginia Co Cavan)Aug 2016 Filed under: gearbox
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
There have been intermittently reported issues with Toyota gearboxes across the board, from sticking shifts to complete failures, but they tend to be quite rare overall, so if the car you’re looking at has a full service history then it should be OK. Ask for a warranty if you're really worried about it.
How much is a Peugeot 307 estate worth?
Hello,
Thinking of selling my car but price on the websites vary quite a lot for a similar car so finding difficult to see which price to ask. It is a red Peugeot 307 estate (five seater) diesel with 74,000 miles on the clock and in very good condition, with full service history and NCT until August 2017.
Thanks for your help
Asier Pagaza (Trim)Aug 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Asier,
It would of course depend on the year, which you haven’t given us I’m afraid, but the ballpark runs from €1,400 for a 2004 model to around €6,000 for a 2008 model.
I'm thinking of buying a UK Ford Mondeo.
Hi,
I'm thinking of buying a 2012 Mondeo, UK reg, and I just want to know has it a timing belt and wet belt or a chain?
Sean Mc Carthy (Laois)Jul 2016 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
I assume it's a 2.0 TDCi model? If so it uses a 'dry' belt to drive the camshafts, which has a service interval of 200,000km. However, there is also a tiny chain that links the two camshafts and this is apparently prone to snapping, so make sure that this is changed whenever you change the timing belt, even though it's supposed to be a service-free item.
What will a dealer offer for my BMW?
Hi,
I'm looking for a trade in value on a 2007 BMW 318i in very good condition: 45,000 miles, metallic paint, leather etc, one owner, full BMW service history. What might a dealer offer?
Brendan Eiffe (Dublin)Jun 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
It should be worth in and around €5,500.
Looking for price for 2008 Honda Civic.
Hi, looking for a ballpark guide for a trade in value on a 2008 Honda Civic, five-door hatchback, 1.8 VTEC. The car has a full service history and 135,000km on the clock. What would I reasonably expect at the upper and lower end of the value range? There are very few of these models for sale, making a reasonable guess difficult. Appreciate any expertise you might be able to dispense before I encounter the dealers!!
Thank you
JD
Jason Doran (Dublin)Jun 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Jason,
There’s a pretty big range in Civic prices for a car of that age, from as little as €5,000 to as much as €9,000, but I’d say splitting the difference at around €7,000 would a pretty safe bet.
Can you tell me when my NCT is due?
When is NCT due on my 4x4?
John Byrne (Knock Co.mayo)Jun 2016 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi John,
Vehicle history check expert, Cartell.ie, tells us it can provide the next NCT due date as part of a range of information its service makes available to the consumer. History checks start from €10.
What can I expect for 2008 Toyota Corolla?
What can l expect to get for a silver 2008 Toyota Corolla? Serviced regularly, 90,000km on the clock.
Geraldine O'Sullivan (Co.Kerry)Jun 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Geraldine,
It should be worth around €8,500 retail, so probably around €7,000 as a trade in.
What to look for in 2010 Peugeot 308?
Thinking of buying a 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 HDi. What do I look out for when looking?
Rob Sheerin (Nenagh)Jun 2016 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Rob,
They're a pretty solid car actually. Check the service history carefully and make sure that the 1.6 HDi engine has had regular oil changes with high grade oil. Black smoke means either a blown turbo or at least turbo seals and check the air conditioning to make sure it's chilling the air properly.
How long will a Toyota Previa MPV last?
What is a reasonable amount of time we should expect a Toyota Previa to last? Considering buying a 2004 model (2.0-litre engine) with 231,000 miles on the clock for €2,500. Is that a decent deal?
Gary Betts (Galway City)May 2016 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Gary,
Oh yes. As long as you keep it serviced and as long as it hasn’t been utterly thrashed before you got it, a Previa will have years and years of service left in it. It’s a car so reliable and long-lasting that there are families preparing to pass them on to their grandchildren…