Should my Skoda EGR valve be covered?
Hi guys,
I just bought a 2010 Skoda Octavia from a local small time dealer just five months ago and he gave me a six-month warranty. I had been back twice with the car losing power and he told me it was a filter. Just last week the car wouldn't start too easily for me and now the dealer put it in to a main Skoda dealer and they have said it's the EGR valve and the small dealer says he won't cover this under his engine and gearbox warranty.
So my question is, where do I stand here on this matter?
Andy O Brien (Cork)Mar 2017 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi Andy,
Well, the exhaust gas recirculation valve is part of the turbocharger and that's part of the engine, so from here it sounds like it should be covered, especially as you flagged the problem up earlier and have been trying to get it fixed since.
That said, often warranties exclude items such as the EGR valve, precisely because they can be fragile so ask to see the warranty paperwork and check the small print for any exclusions. If the dealer doesn't issue warranty paperwork, then you could argue that you had a reasonable assumption that major mechanical items such as an EGR valve were covered by a verbally-issued warranty.
Either way, probably a good idea to get your solicitor on the case if the dealer won't play ball.
Will my SsangYong's engine ever be right?
Hi,
I sent my SsangYong Acton into the garage on Dec 20th as the fuel injectors needed to come out. I have rang every week since then and there's always an excuse... So last week I had it out with the manager and he admitted that one of the injectors disintegrated into the engine! Now the engine has been taken apart. I am not being charged any extra, but it's just the length of time (now eight weeks) I'm waiting> Will they get it back working again?
Fiona Blackburn (Gorey)Feb 2017 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Fiona,
It was very unfortunate that the injector broke on the way out - it's not completely unheard of. The garage really should have told you when it happened though, and that it would take time to get the car back running, so that's quite poor.
Assuming they didn't try to run the engine at any stage with the broken fragments of the injector inside, then it should be possible to completely clean it out and repair it in full. But there's no reason for not giving a timeline for that. They will know how long it should take now. If you are car-less I'd suggest to them that they loan you something.
Let us know how you get on
Is it cheaper to import a car from NI?
Is it cheaper to import a new or second hand car from Northern Ireland?
David Fitzgerald (Cork)Feb 2017 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi David,
It can be, but it depends on the model and it depends on what the exchange rate is doing during a given week. By and large the rule of thumb is that the more expensive the model, the bigger opportunity to make a saving, but even more humble cars, such as Toyotas and Fords, are becoming cheaper on import now. Do your homework, work out your VRT payment in advance as best you can and then wait for Theresa May or Boris Johnson to say something utterly stupid and drive down the value of Sterling again.
Would an electric car work for us?
Hi there,
My wife drives a 2005 Toyota RAV4 1.8 petrol. Over a year ago she changed jobs from a 6km commute to one with a 48km commute each way. This is half motorway and then mainly country roads. This coupled with kid taxi duties means she does nearly 650km a week (Mon to Fri) and spends around €75 a week on petrol. I do 900km a week and already have a car loan for a diesel car.
So my question is, an electric car feasible for someone with that commute and no option to charge at work, except for probably emergencies, and monthly repayments must be €300 or less? Which I assume means that the new Ioniq and new Leaf are out of reach.
David Delaney (Kells)Feb 2017 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi David,
Yes, you could just about do 48km each way in an electric car, certainly in the Ioniq and just about in the 30kWh Nissan Leaf, although it would be hugely helpful if there could be some way of charging up at work. A Renault Zoe might do the trick too.
Hyundai asks for a minimum €5,000-odd deposit on a new Ioniq, and the repayments are quite steep so that one might be out of the question, although they come down to around €360 if you can put a €10,000 deposit down. A basic Nissan Leaf, with €6,762 down, will cost you just €264 a month, which might leave enough wriggle room to go for the bigger battery, and Nissan has some tempting free insurance offers on at the moment, while Renault asks just €179 a month for a Zoe, but the battery rental is extra and it comes with some quite tight mileage stipulations.
The other, possibly better, option would be to go half-electric. Toyota can put you into a Prius or an Auris Hybrid for as little as €199 to €263 a month (again, depending on deposits etc.) or you can get the rather impressive new Kia Niro for €353 a month with a €9,000 deposit. All of those should average as much as 60mpg, which would put a big dent in your fuel costs.
Read our relevant reviews here to help you choose:
Electric parking brake on new Honda Civic?
On the new 1.0-litre Honda Civic; does it have the new type parking brake?
Paul Donnelly-Swift (Dublin)Feb 2017 Filed under: brakes
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
The new Civic? Most versions will have an electronic parking brake, but we'll get the final specifications for Ireland in the next few weeks. In the meantime, read our first drive of the new Honda Civic here.
Can you explain the VAT import rules?
I am from Cyprus and I intend to buy a three-year-old used car that is "VAT qualifying" and worth €18,000. The car I'll import from Cyprus.
Please explain the VAT procedure
Andreas Constantinides (Nicosia)Feb 2017 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Andreas,
If the car is three years old, and thanks to Cyprus being in the EU, you won't have to pay VAT when you import the car, as that's only payable on cars up to six months old. You will need to pay Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) though, and you'll have just a week from the car's arrival here to inform the Revenue Commissioners of it being here and a month to organise an inspection and pay the charge. If you're trying to reclaim VAT originally paid on the car, then you'll need to get yourself a good accountant as it's a complex process and will depend on whether or not the car is registered as a commercial vehicle.
Nissan Qashqai or Toyota Corolla?
Hi, would you consider a 2007 Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel to be as reliable as a 2007 Toyota Corolla 1.4 diesel of similar mileage and condition? I will be buying one or the other in the next week or so and my heart is saying Qashqai, but my head is saying Corolla - can you provide an independent insight please? I do 20,000 miles per year.
Many thanks
Cathal Tiernan (Dunmore, Co.Galway)Jan 2017 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Cathal,
The Qashqai is a reliable car, as are pretty much all Nissans, but the Corolla will still have the reliability edge. If reliability is ultimately your priority, then go for the Corolla. That said, if you really want the Qashqai, as long as it comes with a full service history and you keep it regularly serviced, we wouldn’t expect to see any major issues occur.
Can I get short-term insurance for an import?
Hi, I have purchased a car in the UK and paid the VRT here. When I rang about taxing it I was told I have to have insurance first and give them the policy number and date of expiry. When I rang an insurance company I was informed that the car would have to be taxed first - so checkmate.
Is there a solution to this problem? I only want to insure it for a short while as I bought it to sell it and long term insurance would eat up any profit I hope to make.
James Neville (Dublin)Dec 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi James,
Usually you can get so-called 'bridging' insurance from a UK-based insurer to cover the car for a few weeks on it original plates etc. to deal with this sort of situation. I think a quick ring-round should see you right.
Are dealer extras on a new car worth it?
Are the extras that dealers add to the price of cars actually necessary or beneficial? The last time I bought a car the dealer looked up the list price, added delivery charges and metallic paint/optional extras and that was the price you paid. Now in addition to all that there's a dealer seal and protect coating and step back insurance. Showroom sales staff really push these with a hard sell, but they can add €1,000 to €1,200 to the cost of a car. Question is, are they worth it?
Martin (Meath)Nov 2016 Filed under: optional extras
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
Dealer seal isn't really worth it in my opinion because for most of the year Irish roads aren't gritted and salted. I know they are this week, but a regular trip to the car wash will do just as good a job as 'dealer seal.' Protect coating is pretty similar. You'd be better off just keeping the car in good condition and taking care of stone chips etc as and when they occur. Step back protection is like any form of payment protection insurance - it has its uses, but buy carefully and make sure you study the small print with great care.
What €20,000 MPVs would you recommend?
Hello, we have an 18-month old and have twins due next year. We need a car to fit all the baby seats plus all their buggies and paraphenalia. Will be used for local trips plus for weekend trips back to Cork (from Dublin). Our budget is €20k. What models would you recommend? Imported my current car (Peugeot 407 SW), so not a problem if I need to do that again.
Dan O'Connell (Dublin)Nov 2016 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Dan,
I think you’ll probably need to upgrade to an MPV with all those kids and all the kit you’ll need to carry around with you. If you don’t fancy a seven-seater then there’s always five-seat versions such as the Volkswagen Golf SV or Citroen C4 Picasso. Have a look at the likes of a Volkswagen Touran, Kia Carens or Toyota Verso too.
Our reviews to help you decide: