Am I being ripped off for repairs on my Micra?
My six-year old Nissan Micra (that has never given me any problems) just suddenly won't start. Apparently the crankshaft and sensors need replacing, and the garage tells me it's a big job, it will take a couple of days of work (engine out etc.) and will cost €750 approximately. What do you think? Expensive or what?
Tricia McGovern (Glasgow)Dec 2011 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Tricia,
Replacing the crankshaft is a big job for sure and if that is required then the price, including parts, does not seem unreasonable. However, I would be shocked if non-starting leads to the need to replace the actual crankshaft. Are you sure it's not just the crankshaft sensor? If so, the engine would not have to be taken out and the price seems over the top, even for a main dealer.
Send us a message in private with more details and we'll try to look into this for you.
Is the Nissan Twice is Nice Deal a good one?
Would it be a good idea to change my 2011 Nissan Qashqai 2011 for the Twice is Nice Deal? With the VAT increase and new diesel engine, is it still a good deal? Thanks.
Joe Malon (Dublin)Nov 2011 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
On the face of it this is a great deal for sure - especially if you do not plan on doing excessive mileage. The terms and conditions (see here for the document) seem reasonable enough. One thing you have to realise though is that you're giving up any potential discount on the new car. Essentially you're offsetting that against a year of depreciation.
In your position I'd first of all go into a Nissan dealer and get the best deal on trading in your car against a new Qashqai as normal. Only ask about the Twice is Nice Deal after you have a price to compare with.
Please note that some dealers may have elected to have a limited quota of cars to sell on the Twice is Nice Deal as well so you may not get what you want from the first one you visit.
Let us know how you get on.
Am I stuck with my Mazda6 1.8?
Hi, I bought a Mazda6 1.8 petrol, which does not have a desirable emissions rating. This means that Park Motors, who sold the car to me, no longer wish to know me as regards possible trade-in etc. It's the same situation with many other garages! Am I stuck with it?
Niall Duffy (Dublin)Nov 2011 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Niall,
You're in an unfortunate position and there are thousands more like you. It may be better if you tried to sell the car privately, though its value may be much lower than you had hoped.
Sorry we can't be the bearers of good news on this one.
What do you think about the 2009 Ford Focus TDCi?
I'm looking at buying the previous generation Ford Focus, the 1.6 TDCi 110hp five-door. There is also a 90hp version available. Was the 110hp released in Ireland from 2009 on? Are there any major problems to date with this model? What sort of money would I be looking at for a 2009 1.6 TDCi Zetec 110hp five-door with about 40,000miles ?
Steve O'Meara (Dublin)Nov 2011 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Steve,
We are not aware of any issues with this engine as yet. Most problems would have been rectified under warranty so far in any case, making it too early to say for sure.
Prices vary around the country and of course between dealers and private sellers, but the car you're describing is worth somewhere in the region of €13,000 to €15,000.
Hope that helps.
How much will my Toyota Yaris be worth on trade-in?
I'm thinking of trading in my car and was wondering if you could tell me how much I could get for it. It's a 2002 Toyota Yaris Luna 1.0 with 119,000 miles on the clock in metallic blue.
Karen Field (Longford)Nov 2011 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Karen,
Given the mileage and age I suspect you'll only be offered about €1,500 for this on trade-in, so it might be worth selling it privately. Shop around though, as a dealer may choose to offer more to make the sale.
Obviously all trade-ins are only worth what the dealer thinks they're worth, so take this as a guideline only.
Please do let us know how you get on with it.
How much is my Land Rover Freelander worth?
I need to know what a 2001 Land Rover Freelander ES TD4 Estate is worth. It has a TD4 BMW diesel engine and has done 113,500 miles. It is in good condition, has leather with heated seats, six-disc CD changer, premium alloy wheels, side steps, manual transmission and five doors.
Thanks
Aaron Tiernan (Frenchpark)Oct 2011 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Aaron,
I'm afraid a dealer won't value such an old car so highly. They're selling at about €3,000 on dealer forecourts now so you can expect to be offered significantly less on trade-in. You may be better off trying to sell it privately. Advertise at a little under €3,000 and expect to let it got for a few hundred Euro less.
Please do come back to us to let us know how you get on.
How much is my Volvo S40 T5 worth?
How much is my 2004 Volvo S40 T5 worth? It has 53,000 with full service history, many thanks
Dave OFLAHERTY (Cork)Oct 2011 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
If you were to sell it privately, you should ask about €6,500. You should perhaps take €5,800 at a push. On the other hand, as a trade-in you will probably be offered about €5,500 by a dealer against a new car. I hope this helps?
How much is my Renault Grand Scenic worth?
How much is my 2007 1.6 petrol 7 seater Renault Grand Scenic "Dynamique Luxe" worth ?, mileage is 65,000 km or 40,625 miles, NCT until May 2013, full service history. Does the extra features in the "Luxe" model make any difference - the main differences are climate contol, hands free locking system, and double sunroof.
Donal Murphy (Cork)Oct 2011 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Donal,
The specification will help, but when you are trading it dealers tend not to pay too much attention to extras on the car, but in this case the climate control and double sunroof are a decent selling point. If you were to trade it in against a new car I would expect you to be offered around €9,000 for it and you could ask perhaps €10,500 if you were to advertise it privately, obviously to take less.
Can I retrofit Bluetooth to a 2011 VW Passat?
Hi guys, do you know of any companies that can retrofit the Bluetooth phone set up on a 2011 VW Passat? This wasn't installed from factory but the car has the necessary controls on the steering wheel.
Thanks.
Brendan Cullen (Dublin)Oct 2011 Filed under: Bluetooth
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
I spoke to Volkswagen about this and its retailers will do this job in about an hour for a total price of €350. That includes VAT, parts and labour and they'll even wash and vacuum the car when it's in.
If you decide to go this route please do let us know how you find the service.
What small automatic to replace my Volvo S40?
We are trying to sell our Volvo S40 1.8 flex fuel purchased in 2009 and road tax paid until May 2012. It is good as new with only 37,000km on the clock and we are trying to get an automatic small car instead. How much do you think is a fair garage offer as it's a hassle to sell privately, and what's a good small automatic car?
Mary Gonzalez (Kildare)Oct 2011 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hello Mary,
You will probably get offered in and around the €15,000 mark for your S40 Flex Fuel model, but this could stretch to €16,000 if you traded it in against a new car. You didn't mention if you wanted a new or a used small automatic to replace your Volvo, but I will assume that you want a new car.
I am not sure how small you want to go, but there are a few decent small automatic cars around, but not that many. The best of them would probably be the automatic Ford Fiesta, which is a really great little car for the money. We quite like the Hyundai i20 1.4 Deluxe Auto too. This is a fine little car. My top choice and the one I would buy is the Skoda Fabia 1.2 TSI Sportline with the excellent DSG gearbox, which is simply superb.
Hope that helps