In: transport, technology.
Also: electric-cars.

Articles

Passing the NCT test, NCT checklist

Citizens Information: Buying a used car (Ireland)

(https://citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer/cars/buying_a_used_car.html
SIMI: Advice for anyone buying a car
https://simi.ie/en/consumer-help/buying-a-car
Citizens Information: Problem with a used car
https://citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer/common_consumer_problems/problem_with_a_used_car.html
Buying a car – What to look out for when buying a used car
https://rsa.ie/road-safety/road-users/car-drivers/buying-selling
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission: Cars
https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/cars/
https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/cars/car-checks/

What kind of documents are needed for buying a used car? (Ireland)

https://myvehicle.ie/car-news/documents-needed-buying-used-car

VRC - vehicle registration certificate, if the car is Irish
V5C - if the car is imported from UK
service history booklet
car handbook, manual
written warranty
sales receipt from the dealer
you must change of vehicle ownership

The VRC has a 10 digit number on the top right hand corner of the first page. It should look like “C061234567”. Take a note of this and use it when getting your car history check.
If the number does not match the car, the document could be forged and the car may be stolen.
The engine size, fuel type, date of registration and colour will be detailed on the VRC. Make sure the specification matches what the seller has told you about the car.

The DoneDeal guide to buying a car

Guide to buy a car, crazy amount of details…
https://hello.donedeal.ie/hc/en-us/articles/201121632-Buying-a-car

How to buy a used car

By identifying the pros and cons, this guide answers the important questions you need to ask before buying a pre-owned vehicle
https://caranddriver.com/shopping-advice/a35772417/how-to-buy-used-car

No end in sight to high Irish car prices, whether for new or second-hand vehicles

By Sorcha Pollak, posted Aug 3 2022
https://irishtimes.com/ireland/2022/08/03/no-end-in-sight-to-high-irish-car-prices-whether-for-new-or-second-hand-vehicles
Car prices nearly 64% higher than just before Covid-19, with prices rising ‘at rates never before documented in Ireland’, report finds

The 8 most reliable cars from the past decade 2019

https://carquotes.ie/pages/8-reliable-cars-past-decade

Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Prius
Toyota Camry
Lexus IS
Lexus CT 200h
Mazda 3
Honda Accord
Nissan Leaf

Most reliable used cars in 2022

By Jason Collins, posted May 25, 2022
https://autolist.com/guides/most-reliable-used-cars

Toyota Camry (2015) - Toyota Camry earns its spot among the top ten longest-lasting passenger cars
Mazda MX-5 Miata (2019 and 2020) - sport car
2012 Honda Civic - it was also the top-ranked vehicle of 2012 compact cars by US News
2013 Honda Accord - has been one of the best-selling family-sized vehicles in the US for the last fifteen years
2018 Mazda3
2011 Toyota Prius - 2011 Toyota Prius has a perfect predicted reliability rating score of five out of five, the winner of their 2011 Best Hybrid Car for the Money and Best Hybrid Car for Families
2010 Toyota Avalon - large car
2011 Buick LaCrosse - luxury
2010 Lexus ES 350 - luxury
2009 Audi A3 - five-seat hatchback

The most reliable used cars 2022

By John M. Vincent, posted March 22, 2022
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/most-reliable-used-cars

17: 2020 Hyundai Accent
16: 2018 Hyundai Tucson
15: 2017 BMW 3 Series
14: 2017 BMW 4 Series
12: 2019 Kia Soul
11: 2020 Kia Forte
9: 2017 Buick Regal
7: 2019 Kia Rio
7: 2019 Kia Sportage (tie)
6: 2018 Nissan Maxima
5: 2019 Genesis G70
4: 2020 Chevrolet Sonic
3: 2018 Porsche 911
2: 2017 Lexus ES Hybrid
1: 2017 Lexus ES

Top 50 most reliable used cars

https://whatcar.com/news/top-50-most-reliable-used-cars/n22116
https://creditunion.ie/blog/top-10-most-reliable-used-cars
Posted 8 Jun 2021

1. Hyundai i20 (2015-present)
1. Hyundai i10 (2014-2020)
1. Alfa Romeo Giulietta (2010-present)
1. Skoda Citigo (2012-present)
1. Dacia Duster (2018-present)
1. Lexus NX Hybrid (2014-present)
1. Toyota Yaris Hybrid (2011-2020)
1a. Honda Jazz (2008-2015)
1b. Lexus RX Hybrid (2016-present)
1c. Toyota RAV4 (2013-2019)

The used cars that are the most reliable and cheapest to repair

Posted Dec 18, 2019
https://forbes.com/sites/jimgorzelany/2019/12/18/these-are-the-used-cars-that-are-the-most-reliable-and-cheapest-to-repair
Here are the 10 most reliable used vehicles that required the fewest check engine light-related trips to the repair shop, auto-parts store, or a new-car dealer’s service department over a 12-month period:

2017 Honda CR-V
2017 Subaru Outback
2016 Lexus NX
2017 Subaru Legacy
2017 Honda Civic
2017 Honda HR-V
2015 Lexus NX
2016 Subaru Forester
2015 Acura MDX
2015 Acura RDX

And these are the 10 models found to have the lowest average repair costs when the check engine light stays on:

2017 Subaru Outback ($60)
2016 Toyota Prius ($67)
2017 Hyundai Tucson ($79)
2017 Kia Soul ($82)
2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class ($85)
2017 Toyota Prius ($85)
2017 Subaru Legacy ($86)
2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class ($100)
2016 Kia Forte ($107)

The 100 most reliable cars of the last decade

Posted May 21, 2006
https://newatlas.com/the-100-most-reliable-cars-of-the-last-decade-in-order/5657

The 10 most reliable cars according to Warranty Direct:

Honda Accord - A classy package, well put together and feels more special than the average family car. Superb engines and value for money
Subaru Forester - Not quite an off roader, much more than an estate with a sporty edge, making it the perfect combination. Great all round buy
Mazda MX-5 - Blueprint for the modern roadster with sweet handling and engines to match. Extremely easy to live with
Mitsubishi Carisma - Despite the name, not that interesting to look at or drive, but that’s not the point. Here is a no-nonsense hatchback that won’t let you down
Toyota Yaris - Superminis don’t come better. Bags of room and perky engines. Probably the best small car buy
Honda Civic - Solid build quality and good engines are just part of the appeal, the Civic is one of the most spacious small cars around. Great value
Nissan Almera - A dull package, but that’s no reason to dismiss the Almera which is practical and perfect for the smaller family who need a big boot and utter reliability
Honda CR-V - Proof that you don’t need an XXXL 4x4. Here is a four-wheel drive estate that is flexible, easy to drive and own
Toyota RAV4 - So few four-wheel drives are fun to drive. This car is suitably sporty, but very practical. Expensive used buy but worth it
Nissan Micra - The driving school favourite. Tough, fairly roomy, but with its light controls is easy to steer around town

123.ie car review 2017

Published 2 Feb 2017
https://123.ie/blog/irish-car-review
Renault was once again selected the least popular of the leading car brands sold in Ireland, 26% of drivers saying it is the car they would least consider. Kia (12%) and Seat (also 12%) were a distant joint second.
Toyota (3%), Hyundai (4%), Ford (4%) and VW (4%) are considered brands that consumers find attractive. They also happen to be the best sellers amongst Irish drivers.
Poor reputation: Renault (65%), Seat (48%), Skoda (45%)
Bad resale value: Seat (46%), Kia (45%), Skoda (39%)
Bad personal experience: Ford (41%), Opel (36%), Hyundai (28%)
Unattractive: Nissan (56%), Kia (47%), Skoda (44%)

Top tips to pass your NCT first time around

Posted Apr 21 2022
https://carzone.ie/motoring-advice/top-tips-to-pass-your-nct-first-time-around/2014

Don’t miss the test date
Know the price… and how to pay
Clean the car up and check the lights
Check all the fluids
Act on any warning signs
Check your tyres
Paperwork and admin

How to transfer car ownership in Ireland

https://chill.ie/blog/how-to-transfer-car-ownership-in-ireland

How to find a car radio code

https://lifewire.com/how-to-find-a-car-radio-code-534604
Some car radios come with an anti-theft feature that kicks in whenever they lose battery power. This feature typically locks the unit until the correct car radio code is entered. The code is almost always specific to the make and model of the radio and to the exact unit.

The most expensive ways you’re accidentally damaging your car

https://motorbiscuit.com/the-most-expensive-ways-youre-accidentally-damaging-your-car

Not using your parking brake
Putting off repairs
Not washing your car regularly
Not paying attention to leaks
Ignoring the warning lights
Hitting potholes
Not regularly checking the tire pressure
Parking under trees
Not keeping maintenance records
Not getting regular oil changes
You’re supposed to change your oil every 3,000 miles (4828 km) for a regular vehicle. But it’s easy to lose track and go far too long without an oil change.
Tinting your windows
Having the wrong paint color
Putting too many or not enough miles on your car

How to keep your car cool, cooling guide

https://fastcar.co.uk/tuning-tech-guides/how-to-keep-your-car-cool-fast-car-cooling-guide
Cooling is crucial for optimum performance, especially where forced induction is concerned, so let’s take a closer look at how to keep your car cool, and what’s involved with keeping those temperatures under control.

typical damage caused by excess heat
what is a cooler and how does it work
what is a radiator on a car and how does it work
what is an intercooler and how does it work
what is a chargecooler and do I need one?
what is an oil cooler and do I need one?
what is a turbo cooler
what is a transmission cooler
does the size of a cooler matter?
cooler pressure drop
waterless coolants and water additives
brake cooling

Keyless car theft - what you need to know

https://123.ie/blog/keyless-car-theft-prevention-tips
Relay attack: your car can be stolen in just 18 seconds
https://which.co.uk/news/article/how-easy-is-your-car-to-steal-a2f1K6E8iokw

Here’s how your car’s engine works

This is how the combination of an engine, fuel, and air makes your car move, explained in plain English, in case you’re not an engineer
https://getpocket.com/explore/item/here-s-how-your-car-s-engine-works

How often should you wash your car?

Hint: More often than you do now
https://getpocket.com/explore/item/how-often-should-you-wash-your-car

How often should you rotate tires?

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/how-often-should-you-rotate-tires
Hint: Don’t wait; rotate
Tire rotation is crucial to maintaining the tires performance capabilities and, best of all, saving you some cash

How to change your own oil

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/how-to-change-your-own-oil

How to change a tyre

https://carzone.ie/motoring-advice/how-to-change-a-tyre/2824

Stop right away
Take safety precautions
Locate your tools
Chock the wheels (recommended)
Loosen the wheel nuts
Jack up the car
Remove wheel nuts
Remove the wheel and replace with the spare
Reverse the process
Continue your journey

Tips:

Carry emergency puncture repair kit
Grease the wheel nuts
Carry an extension bar

What damage does a car suffer if not regularly used?

https://mechanics.stackexchange.com/questions/18148/what-damage-does-a-car-suffer-if-not-regularly-used
Reviving a vehicle that has been idle for a long time
https://mechanics.stackexchange.com/questions/125/reviving-a-vehicle-that-has-been-idle-for-a-long-time

How to from WikiHow

https://wikihow.com/Park-a-Car
https://wikihow.com/Park-in-a-Parking-Lot
https://wikihow.com/Park-on-a-Hill
https://wikihow.com/Reverse-Into-a-Car-Parking-Space

Videos

In Ireland

https://youtube.com/user/AdiDriving/videos
https://youtube.com/c/DarraghDunne-adidriving/videos
https://youtube.com/c/DaneTygheletsdrive/videos

How to service your car

https://youtube.com/watch?v=YmE2gFTaqmg – volkswagen golf
Change oil, oil filter, fuel filter

How to change a wheel on your car

https://youtube.com/watch?v=46snzh87QeY

How to change the air filter

https://youtube.com/watch?v=FKXH7KEDoh8 – volkswagen

How to do an Oil change

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Lqd1rl30eBs – MicksGarage, drain & change
https://youtube.com/watch?v=PeqhlXbsM7Y – MicksGarage, with a 12V pump
https://youtube.com/watch?v=O1hF25Cowv8 – ChrisFix, change oil

Replace clutch

https://youtube.com/watch?v=QcWELyTbdP4 – How to replace a clutch in your car or truck (full DIY guide)

Re-install the front suspension

https://youtube.com/watch?v=mQ2fJ_aM_T0 – Rebuild the entire front suspension in your car or truck
https://youtube.com/watch?v=V_g1-WHD4rw – How to install a completely new front suspension in your car or truck

Basic car tuning

https://youtube.com/watch?v=OM8l6fuzg_c

oil & filter
wheels & tires
suspension & springs
new battery
new air filter (red!)
exhaust pipes & muffler
rear lights

https://youtube.com/watch?v=65bLLlpS3gE

wheels & tires - michelin pilot sport 4
exhaust
coils & springs
body kit & lip
intake filter

Hyundai

I have a Hyundai i30 (Elantra Touring in US), so I’m collecting specific links.

Headlight bulbs replacement

https://youtube.com/watch?v=eGKNe15aDjo – Lights for driver and passenger
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Uu1ktymnjR8 – Hyundai i30 - Front left lights replacement
https://youtube.com/watch?v=2ORw19HYvy0 – Hyundai i30 - Front right lights replacement

Fuel door actuator replacement

https://youtube.com/watch?v=h1kdhiSDnR4 – Fuel door doesn’t stay closed or won’t open

Garage

Parts & hardware

https://autodoc.co.uk
https://auto-doc.ie – ✴
https://car-parts.ie/tools – ✴
https://eurocarparts.com – UK/ Ireland car PRO tools & parts
https://handyhardware.ie – ✴
https://irishautoparts.ie
https://motorparts.ie
https://partsforcars.ie
https://screwfix.ie