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Previously answered questions

My Skoda Superb's stop-start won't work...

Hi,

I have a Skoda Superb 1.6 TDI Greenline 3, 2014, but the stop-start has stopped working. I have had it back to the Skoda main dealer but they just keep saying they can't find anything wrong with it even though it doesn't work when they have it they just tell me that is because the engine isn't hot enough yet.

I have done a 130-mile round journey only stopping in the middle of the journey for five minutes and still the stop-start won't work. I  have told them this, but have as yet no answer for me.

John Greaves (Oldham)

Feb 2019 Filed under: fault

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Can you pay car tax monthly by direct debit?

Can you pay car tax monthly by direct debit?

Patricia Halloran (Newport)

Feb 2019 Filed under: taxation

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I get a smell in my car and no stop-start...

When I stop the car and auto start/stop DOESN'T kick in, I get a bad chemical smell in the car. I wonder is this due to the air conditioner or could there be another reason?

Andrew Lawrence (Bristol)

Feb 2019 Filed under: fault

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Should the dealer do this Kuga's timing belt?

I am buying a 161 Ford Kuga 2.0-litre Titanium; should the dealership do the timing belt before I get it? It has 94,000km on the clock. Any advice would be great, thanks.

Kieran

Kieran Quinn (Limerick)

Feb 2019 Filed under: servicing

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Fuel consumption of the 2017 Opel Insignia?

What is the fuel consumption of the 2017 Opel Insignia 170hp five-door?

Donal Keohane (Cork)

Oct 2018 Filed under: taxation

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How much VRT on a new Hyundai Kona?

Hi,

We want to buy a new Hyundai Kona, the fully electric version, in Northern Ireland and import it then to the Republic of Ireland. We would buy through the company of my boyfriend to benefit from BIK reductions. I read that we could get a maximum of €5,000 of VRT relief when registered before 31 December 2021. The VRT calculator on Revenue's homepage is unfortunately not working for electric cars. Can you give an indication on how much VRT we would roughly need to pay?

Felicitas Schmelz (Cork City)

Feb 2019 Filed under: VRT

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When in the month can I tax my car?

My tax renewal is the 25th of this month; can I tax it tomorrow and will the 25th be on it or will I have to wait?

Rosarie Vaughan (Mallow)

Feb 2019 Filed under: taxation

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Can I retrofit a better wheel to my VW Golf?

Hi,

I have a quick question: does any company in Dublin do retrofiting of steering wheels on Volkswagen Golfs? I have a standard wheel on my car but I want to put a multifunction one on.

Thanks

Mateo Starcevic (Dublin)

Feb 2019 Filed under: aftermarket

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Should I buy a new electric car now?

Hello,

I am holding my breath before taking the EV plunge. The choice so far is between the Nissan Leaf e plus, the Kia e-Niro 64kW and the Hyundai Kona Electric. I know two of these will be 192-reg, but so far I have taken a test drive in the Kona and the current Leaf. Sorry to report that the Kona got the thumbs down on a few fronts.

Sadly the nit pickers have decided that they can throw the scraps to "poor Paddy". Smaller touch screen, standard cruise control and no spare. No height adjustment for front passenger seat. Just compare the UK offerings. Also quite a lot of road noise. To add insult the dealer padded his price to a ridiculous €40,000 after all rebates.

The test in the Leaf, albeit not the desired version, was a pleasure. It even had a slim spare wheel slung outside under the boot. Your review of the e-Niro doesn't mention the spare wheel, which is essential outside the cities. And as some drivers will want to carry one and the tools to fit it a lot of that space will be gone.

The Kona actually has a well under the boot floor, which houses the charging cable. How ridiculous is that! Imagine a young family going on an overnight trip. Pull everything out to find the cable... So finally, the question: should I go for the Leaf when it arrives or wait for the 2020 Volkswagen I.D.?

Peter

Peter Browne (Cavan)

Feb 2019 Filed under: electric cars

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Volvo XC40, Skoda Kodiaq or Toyota RAV4?

Hi,

Looking to get a new family-size SUV for a couple and a kid, will be doing 15,000km a year. Have narrowed down to Volvo XC40, Skoda Kodiaq or Toyota RAV4. Key things to consider in order of importance - safety, resale value and comfort.

Thanks in advance and appreciate such a great site for Irish car buyers!

Shubham Agarwal (Greystones)

Feb 2019 Filed under: choosing new car

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4,955 Irish motoring queries answered to date

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