Buying a car is a big investment. Outside of the cost of the car itself, you also have tax, insurance and NCT fees to consider. For many people, the thought of bringing their car in for a service every 6 or 12 months even though nothing is wrong, seems like a waste of money. However, it’s so important to look after this big investment you’ve made. A car service should be considered as preventative maintenance. You are more likely to find potential issues and get on top of them early, rather than being hit with a huge bill when it all goes wrong. A regularly serviced engine is less likely to give problems, whereas one that’s never been serviced could result in a big bill. It could even mean you’ll need to completely replace the car. So how do you know when your car service is due? Here are five signs to look out for:
Service alerts
Most modern cars will give you an alert when your next service is due, or how many miles/kilometers are to go until it is. Just be sure to ask your mechanic to update the on-board computer when they complete a service so that it’s accurate. Each model will have different recommended intervals for a service, depending on engine size. Your mechanic will often also leave a sticker on your windscreen or dash that advises at what mileage your next service is due.
Check the service history and manual
If your car is second-hand, check the service history to see how often it was serviced. You should also consult your owner’s manual which will give detailed recommendations based on the specifications of your car.
Warning lights
Keep an eye out for warnings on your dashboard regarding things like oil, brake fluid, or the engine warning light. Regular checks will ensure that everything is running smoothly and identify any potential issues.
Know how your car should ‘feel’
When you get used to driving your car, you’ll get a feel for what’s right and what isn’t. Unusual vibrations, pulling in a particular direction, or any unusual noises are always worth checking out with your mechanic and may be a sign that your car needs a service.
Before your NCT
This will be the most common time that people book in a car service, however you should always maintain a regular servicing schedule to ensure your car is always running smoothly and not just ahead of your test. Let your mechanic know that your NCT is coming up, so they can do a full service with thorough checks of your lights, tyres, brakes and more. It can help to pull up any potential issues that would cause a failure in the NCT.
New Ireland Motors are specialists in car servicing in Dublin, and our expert team of mechanics will ensure your car is running at top performance. Remember, servicing your car regularly can help you avoid unforeseen costs, and a full service history can also add value should you choose to sell your car in the future. Contact us today to book your next car service!
Top tips from our experts in crash repairs in Baldoyle.
It can be difficult to remember what to do if you have an accident in your car. It can be a very stressful event and even traumatic, so we’ve compiled our top tips for what to if you are involved in a crash.
Check for injuries
Check both yourself and any other passengers in the car for any injuries. If you’re unsure, it’s safest to call 999 for an ambulance. Don’t move any injured parties as this may cause further injury, unless they are in immediate danger from other vehicles. If this is the case, an emergency operator should be able to guide you in the safest way to do this. Provide as many details as possible to the emergency services about the crash and number of people involved.
Exchanging details
If you’ve been involved in an accident with another car, it’s important to remember not to take any blame for the accident. Exchange details with the other party, including:
– name, address, phone number – car insurance company name and details – insurance policy numbers – car registration plate numbers – car’s year, make, model and colour – name and contact number of any witnesses to the accident
Take photos
If you have a smartphone or camera, take photos of the crash scene where possible. Keep your safety and the safety of others your utmost priority while you do this. Take photos of any damage to your vehicle and the others involved.
Notify your insurer
Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible with all of the details gathered above.
Finally, contact New Ireland Motors
New Ireland Motors are Dublin’s leading crash repair specialists and can help you arrange for any repairs after an accident. We provide a range of services including panel beating, spray painting and mechanical services in Dublin. We offer a hassle free insurance claim service. Simply leave your vehicle with us and we will process all the paperwork around the claim. If you need more information or advice about crash repairs in Baldoyle, contact us or call us 01 8166666!
Motorists could face huge fines or prison if learner drivers use their cars.
Recent laws are clamping down on learner drivers and the people who allow them to use their cars. Numerous of parents allow their son or daughter to use their car under a learner permit. Although now the car owner will also be responsible for ensuring learners drive under their rights.
The new laws approved by the Cabinet say that motorists that allow their cars to be used by an unaccompanied learner driver could be issued fines up to €2,000 or up to 6 months in prison.
The law is expected to lower the number of crashes caused by learner drivers and less learner drivers will take to the roads without a full licensed passenger.
Some motorists believe the law is unfair as they may not always be aware. They may be misled to believe that a leaner driver is being accompanied. Although the law will force motorists to be more informed about other people using their car.
According to RTE, the Road Traffic Amendment follows an examination of the law in this area by the Attorney General Seamus Woulfe.
The amendment will form part of the new Road Traffic Bill. This is set to move to committee stage in the Oireachtas in the coming weeks.
Gardaí will also have the power to seize vehicles driven by unaccompanied drivers.
The law was pushed after a high profile Irish campaign. The campaign was by a number of victims from road crashes who protested that further restrictions need to be put in place for learner drivers.
While it is unclear exactly how many people will be affected by the incoming rules. The latest Garda and Road Safety Authority figures show more than 10,600 fixed penalty points notices were issued to unaccompanied drivers in 2017.
The law being issued is also due to the latest Road Safety Authority figures. Which show that of the 12 fatal road crashes involving learner drivers last year, 10 were unaccompanied learner drivers.
Motorists must drive safe due to icy driving conditions.
Since the start of spring we haven’t seen much sunshine. The weather has been cold, recently we have had snow come and go and driving conditions haven’t been the best.
Last week snow, sleet and hail fell across the country and we might be due more next week. With temperatures looking to drop below zero, AA Roadwatch are warning drivers.
Authorities have warned of dangerous driving conditions in part of the north west, the west and the midlands. Many areas have roads with left over ice and snow so drivers must be aware of the driving conditions and take caution.
There have already been a number of crashes due to the icy roads. Including one at junction 17 Athenry, another in the N65 between Loughrea and the motorway, one on the N4 in Carrick-on-Shannon and two incidents in Tipperary.
Drivers are being asked to make sure their car is fully serviced to ensure your car is safe for the roads. Keep windows clear and make sure you remove any ice or frost before you drive. Don’t let your tires loose their air and keep them pumped up.
Gardaí also advised drivers to be aware of the danger of “sun glare”, which can result in motorists being dazzled by the intensity of low sun on the horizon.
For the full story from The Irish Times, click here.
For more information on how to keep your care safe during icy weather, check out our blog here.
People in Dublin are known for relying on taxi’s to get from one place to another. Therefore drivers are always looking to get involved in the taxi industry.
Whether your a taxi driver looking for the late night party clients or the running late for work clients, be sure to follow the right steps.
New Ireland Motors are experts in renting taxi’s with over 40 years experience in the taxi industry. So here are our top tips on becoming a taxi driver.
Study and Prepare
It may seem obvious but before booking your SPSV entry test be ready. There are many online training courses and books you can buy that will give you everything you need to know for the test. You will need your PPS number and a full Irish drivers license or driving licence from another EU, EEA or other recognised state. The test costs €90 so study and pass first time!
Apply for your SPSV driver’s licence
After you pass your exam you are NOT sent out your SPSV licence, remember to apply. You need to get a PSV 15/18 application form from your local Garda station and pay your licence fee to the National Transport Authority. After you fill in the PSV 15/18 application form, return it to your local Garda Station along with passport photos.
Check your options
Find out how many hours and what hours your looking to work as a taxi driver. For some people its a full time job while others may only work peak hours/days. Therefore working for a taxi company or as a sole trader may not always be the best option. Renting taxi’s in Dublin is very common and saves the hassle of using your personal car. We offer taxi rentals from just €200 per week and all cars are fully serviced. Find out more HERE.
New Ireland Motors wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! We hope drivers are extra safe on the roads and avoid any crash repairs over the festive season.
Roads become more dangerous during the winter period due to rain and snow. The icy ground causes huge amount of accidents on back roads and main roads. Leading to high volume of crash repairs. Please prepare yourself and be cautious during turns and on roundabouts.
Even Santa’s sleigh has gotten a full service here at New Ireland Motors to prepare for any storm coming his way.
Dublin has one of the highest number of car collisions due to it’s high population but there are a high number of ‘Black Spot’ areas in other counties. A Black Spot is an area the Garda have listed as a speed enforcement zone.
These roads are highlighted as there have been a high number of road accidents here. When roads are wet or icy, the chances of a collision are greater. There is one section of road with a particularly high casualty rate. It is a stretch of single carriageway between Arklow and Rathnew. It has claimed 33 lives over 25 years, making it one of the worst black spots in the country. We advise all customers to take precautions if using this road.
We advise drivers to watch out for pedestrians and cyclist as they can not always be seen between the window wipers.
If you or a friend have done damage to your car due to a collision, call New Ireland Motors. We offer competitive prices on all accident repair, panel beating, spray painting and mechanical services.
Check out more about our Quality Assured Crash & Accident Repair here.
Having your car servicing done before the winter is vital if you want to avoid high cost damages.
New Ireland Motors provide quality car servicing but here are some of the reasons why it is important to prepare your car for winter.
1. Avoid engine trouble.
Oil tends to thicken as it gets colder, and if it’s too thick it won’t do the best job of keeping your engine lubricated. This causes numerous car break downs during the Christmas period. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, get an oil service. Each car requires the right amount of thickness for this time of year so be sure to use a professional service company.
2. Can you see out your windows?
Windshield wipers should be changed once a year to work effectively. Make sure you have new wipers to tackle the rain and frost on your windows. Also check to see that your heater and defroster are working properly so you can keep the windshield nice and clear.
3. Have your belts and hoses checked.
When your having a full service done make sure the belts and hoses are checked. Even if you have a modern car, the cold can cause damage here.
4. Pump up your tires
As it gets colder out, the air pressure tends to drop in tires. Don’t wait until you are on a slippery road to discover this and pump up your tires regularly. Well inflated tires provide the best possible traction for driving on icy roads.
5. Don’t let your car freeze over
Stock up on anti-freeze mixture. Always mix 50% anti-freeze with 50% water inside your radiator. This will prevent the mixture from freezing even at ridiculously cold temperatures.
New Ireland Motors want to prepare all drivers this winter. If your car is due to be serviced please call us on 01 8166666.
Purchasing a second hand car can be a daunting prospect for many people.
Bad cars are often known as “Lemons” because of the sour taste they leave in the mouth of the new owner. There are plenty of simple motor trade tips and tricks you can use to steer clear of a lemon. Ideally, we recommend that you should bring an expert with you when looking at a second hand car but if that is not possible, here are some top tips to consider on your journey.
Golden Rule:
Never buy in the dark or in the rain: Ever!
Price
Check classified ad sites such as Done Deal or Carzone to ensure that a car is comparable to similar cars. Expect to pay a 10-15% premium at a main dealer because of warranty etc. If a car is priced significantly below market rate, it is probably to good to be true. Stories of people being duped into buying stolen cars abound, don’t be a statistic.
Have your homework done
Google it: Whatever type of car you are buying, find out what common problems that particular model may give. Establish the timing belt service schedule (if applicable) and ask the owner if these issues have been addressed. If the car is due atiming belt replacement, price this job at your local garage and factor it into the cost.
Learn how to read a vehicle log book and check number of previous owners, whether the vehicle has been imported, chassis number, tax band etc. Factor these issues into the price.
Find out at least two points where the chassis number (VIN number) appear on the car and ensure they correspond with the logbook when you view the car.
Check to see if the car has changed hands in the past 3 months. This could be an indication of problems with a vehicle that a recent new owner doesn’t want to address.
Buying Privately:
Only buy at the sellers house. (Ask to see ID and proof of address)
Only buy from the person named on the vehicle logbook (unless they are a registered dealer – If so, ask for the dealers garage code)
Always do a vehicle history check to ensure the car does not have outstanding finance, is not stolen and hasn’t been in an accident.
Check the Exterior
Look for any evidence of repainting or inconsistency in the paintwork. Check for any visible signs of damage such as dents, scrapes and panels or doors not matching up evenly. Check for “Orange peel”. Ensure that all gaps between panels are consistent. An online search will indicate if the car has been subject to an insurance claim. If the car was involved in an accident, the seller or dealer should be upfront about this. Check that all carpets in the car are dry and there is no water ingress.
Check the Wheels and Tyres
Tyres can be expensive to replace. If a car has worn tyres, price replacements before you make an offer on a car or ask the owner to replace them. If the car comes with alloy wheels, ensure that there is a key for any lock nuts the car has fitted. Check that the car has a spare wheel (some cars have run flat tyres and no spare) a jack and a wheel brace.
Keys
Make sure the keys provided for the car works and starts the engine. Ideally a car should come with a spare key. Expect to pay up to €300 for a duplicate key in modern cars. The price rises exponentially if all keys are lost.
Service History
The ONLY way to prove a cars lineage and history is a comprehensive service history. This should be stamped in the service record folder that accompanies a car. Some modern marques keep this record digitally with a main dealer.
Find out when the car has been serviced and with who. Also check when the timing belt was replaced. A car should have a valid NCT certificate to prove that it is in roadworthy condition. However The NCT is a deeply flawed system and a valid NCT is not a good indicator of the quality of a used car. Having said that, If a buyer is prepared to put an NCT on a car, always take them up on this offer.
Ideally, ensure that you are starting the car from stone cold. This will be when gremlins are most likely to reveal themselves. Listen for any unsavory knocks, ticks or bangs from the engine. Watch out for excessive smoke signalling engine wear. Take the car for a drive until you reach operating temperature, ensure the car is not overheating. Check that oil and water is not contaminated.
Ensure that all controls are working correctly, and that the car feels good to drive. This will give you a chance to ensure there are no strange noises or rattling coming from the car and that you can accelerate, change gears and brake comfortably. You should preferably take it out on an open road with a higher speed limit to give you a chance to experience it at full driving capacity.
We recommend that you always buy from a reputable dealer. The AA offer an unparalleled vehicle check service. For total piece of mind, we would recommend using this service.
Top Tip:
Always bring someone with you to view a car. Two sets of eyes are always better than one.
TALK TO US TODAY at New Ireland Motors about our quality range of used cars on 01 8166666 or call in for a chat, we are located in the Baldoyle Industrial Estate in Dublin 13
