Who has oversight over the NCT?
Who is over the NCT? I'm having problems getting anywhere with them...
Patricia Bird (Laois)May 2015 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Patricia,
Well, it depends what the problem is. If it's that you're having trouble booking a testing date, welcome to the club. Waiting times have gone up a lot lately, but if you can't get a slot within 28 days, you are actually entitled to a free test.
If the problem is one of a complaint or something like that, don't bother talking to the NCT people directly - the NCT is run by a Swiss-based company called Applus and you're unlikely to get very far, very fast talking to them. Instead go over their heads - the Road Safety Authority has oversight of the whole NCT process, so if you have a problem, contact them here http://rsa.ie/en/Utility/Contact-Us/Who-do-I-contact-about/
What Toyota should my dad upgrade to?
Hi all,
Firstly, thanks for your help back in 2011! We actually bought one of the two cars whose links you sent to me as suggestions! I think I'll be in touch shortly for my own car needs but for now I'm asking for advice for my dad. He is an avid Toyota or Nissan man and currently has a 2008 Corolla 1.4-litre (basic model I think) with 157,000km on the clock. He was initially planing to stick with the Corolla and move up two or three years and his main requirement is that he wants air conditioning in the next car. He spoke to a local second hand car dealer who told him that the equivalent Corolla won't have air conditioning, but that the Auris would, that it has the exact same interior space and only difference is that obviously it is hatchback. Does that point about the air conditioning etc seem right to you?
What would be a rough guide to trade in the 2008 and move to either an Auris or Corolla 2010, 2011 and 2012 models? From what I can see there was a new model Auris released in 2012 and if so would it be worth stretching to that? Any other suggestions of make/model welcome too if you don't mind. He does average to slightly-above-average mileage each year, mostly rural with probably one or two long drives every month so any advice on petrol vs. diesel would be great too.
Thanks again. Enda, Dublin
Enda Lowry (Dublin)May 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Enda,
Yeah, he's definitely better off with the petrol version, not least because Toyota's 1.4 diesel is not the best, but its 1.33 petrol is a cracker. You might need to do some digging to track one down though - they're thinner on the ground on a 2010 plate than the diesels.
Now then, Auris versus Corolla. Yup, they're the same size inside. The boot on the Auris is a little smaller but then it's also more versatile thanks to being a hatchback. The point about air conditioning is probably right - standard spec on Toyotas tends to be quite stingy and Corolla saloons are basically built for emerging markets (no, seriously, we're the only Western European nation that still sells them) so tend to be even more basic again.
I'd say you'll need to find about €3-4k to finance the upgrade from a 2008 Corolla to a 2010 or 2011 Auris.
Relevant reviews:
Toyota Auris review (2013)
Toyota Auris review (2010)
Toyota Corolla review (2013)
Toyota Corolla review (2010)
New Kia Sorento or Land Discovery Sport?
Which is the better car keeping value for money in mind: a 2015 Kia Sorento automatic AWD Platinum or a 2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport Automatic HSE?
Mike Kemmy (Limerick)May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
Actually, and please note that this is a dyed-in-the-wool Land Rover fan saying this, I'd actually go for the Kia. It's one of the best mid-size SUVs around, hugely comfortable and nice to drive and it's much better value than the Land Rover. Although the headline prices are quite similar, the Kia's much better equipped as standard. You'd have to spend well over €50k to get a Discovery Sport up to the same spec as the Sorento.
Relevant reviews:
Hyundai ix35 Executive or Kia Sportage?
I am trying to decide on a Hyundai ix35 Executive or a Kia Sportage. I would appreciate your opinion.
Kind regards
Breda Quaid (Co Kildare)May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Breda,
There is very, very little between the two - they're essentially identical under the skin and use the same engines and mechanical package. Of the two, I think I'd fractionally put the Kia ahead, simply because it's a better looking car to my eyes and it comes with a longer warranty. Worth noting though that both are due for replacement soon, so haggle hard to get a good discount if you're buying new.
Relevant reviews:
My Opel Astra's keys seem to be acting up.
Hi guys, I have a 2005 Opel Astra. The central locking is acting up. I have replaced the keys in the fob and checked the fuses. All appears ok in that regard. It works intermittently. Might lock and unlock once or twice and then just stop working again. However, when inside the car and you have the button to engage the central locking for safety reasons, this method does manage to engage all the locks and works fine.
Furthermore using the pedal/accelerator test generated a 1614 code, which relates to the keys and I am assuming a mismatch between the codes the car is looking for and what the keys are transmitting. Is it a simple case of the fobs requiring reprogramming (I have tried the key in the ignition the "lights on" but not engine start, in order to synchronise them again, but nothing) or something that might require further investigation.
Many thanks for your feedback if you get a chance.
Thanks
John Clarke (Dublin)May 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi John,
It really sounds like the keys need to be recoded to your car. Any Opel dealer can do this and hopefully it won't cost you too much.
Help me choose a €20,000 family car.
I'm currently driving a 2010 Renault Grand Mégane and wondering what type of car would serve us well over the next three to five years. Do I stick with estate or look at SUV? There's two back seat passengers aged five and two, but would like something that can seat additional passengers from time to time - grandparents, other kids etc. Ideally would like something up to two years old and have budget of €18,000 to €20,000.
Gerry Connolly (Skerries, Dublin)May 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
OK, lots of options here. Seven-seat SUVs are the coming thing and Hyundai's Santa Fe is one of the best. Lots and lots around for that kind of money so be choosy and buy the most recent one you can, so as to make the most of that five-year warranty.
The rear seats are a little tight though, so maybe look at a Ford S-Max. Big, spacious and really good to drive, you'll probably get a good deal on a nearly-new one at the moment as there's an all-new version about the be launched.
Or you could go all-out and get a Land Rover Discovery, which is a wonderful car but don't say I didn't warn you when it comes to running costs, and you won't find a two-year old one for that money.
Relevant reviews:
Is the Volkswagen Golf Highline 1.2 a good car?
I'm looking for a mid-sized family car and have looked at the Golf Highline 1.2 TSI; Volkswagen finance options are good so am considering buying new. Can you please advise if this is a good family car and any alternatives you would suggest?
Thanks, Karen
Karen Golden (Dublin 6)May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Karen,
Yup, it’s a cracker - well made, nice to drive and that 1.2 TSI is super-econmical. Good alternatives would be the Skoda Octavia with the same engine, a Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost 125hp, or a Peugeot 308 with the new 1.2-litre PureTech petrol turbo engine.
Relevant reviews:
Volkswagen Golf review (2.0 TDI Highline)
Skoda Octavia review (1.2 TSI)
Peugeot 308 review (new 1.2 PureTech)
Can you help me choose from these family car?
Which would be cheaper, more economical and have low maintainance, for family of five that require good boot size, mostly city driving, 12,000km mileage per year: Kia Carens diesel, Nissan Qashqai diesel or petrol 1.2, Kia cee'd estate or Skoda Fabia Combi either 2014 or 2015?
Thanks, Mary
Mary Strike (Cork)May 2015 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
I'd leave the Fabia Combi out straight away. It's a very good little car but it's just too small if you're putting five people into it regularly. The cee'd estate is one of our favourite cars - practical, handsome and good to drive and those are things you can equally say about the Qashqai. However, again, I'd say if you're trying to get five people in every day, space in the back could be an issue.
Which leaves us with the Carens. Thankfully it's a very good choice - all the attributes of the cee'd, but with extra space and comfort for those in the back. My advice would be to go and test drive each one but make sure you bring along everyone who's going to regularly be using the car and make sure everyone's comfortable in it. Not just a spin around the block either - drive for long enough to make sure everyone has a chance to get fidgety.
Worth noting though that with your driving pattern, the petrol Qashqai is going to have the best engine for your purposes. You may need to make a compromise between engine and seating at some point.
Relevant reviews:
Mercedes-Benz C 180: a good buy at €2,500 or not?
2003 Mercedes-Benz C 180: a good buy at €2,500 or not?
Niall Keogh (Dublin)Apr 2015 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Niall,
I wouldn't unless it has an utterly perfect service history and has been cared for with the softest of kid gloves. At that point in its history, Mercedes was going through a massive engineering and reliability hiccup and at that price level you're probably buying something that's not been properly looked after at some point in its life. Avoid.
What big SUV do you suggest for me and my boys?
I'm looking for a new SUV. I have three boys into sports so need boot space as well as cabin space and it also needs to be an automatic. What do you suggest?
Liz Corbett (Galway)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Liz,
A few key choices here - compact: Skoda Yeti or Mazda CX-5; medium: Honda CR-V or Kia Sorento; and large: Land Rover Discovery or Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Of the lot, I think overall our pick would be the new Kia Sorento. It's big, comfy, spacious, has seven seats and is really well made.
Relevant reviews: