By Paul Gover.
Q: I bought a 2012 Nissan Leaf in 2014 from a Sydney dealer and have been complaining since 2015 that the promised, and advertised, range of 170 kilometres has never been achieved.
I believe the battery has been faulty since new and now it only achieves around 50 kilometres for each charge – with only 34,000 kilometres on the odometer.
I want Nissan Australia to honour the vehicle-battery warranty and replace the battery to give a usable range
Ross T
A: Nissan is very keen to help Leaf owners. It looks like the cavalry is on the way and your car is going to get a thorough investigation of the problem, based on this reply from headquarters: “Nissan Australia has made contact with the owner and will undertake further assessment to determine the battery state of health”.
Q: I am looking to purchase a new Mercedes-Benz A35 which would be delivered in Quarter 4 this year and, in reviewing the purchase contract, there is an asterisk stating that it is subject to change in accordance with the terms of the contract.
The contract provides that increases in cost of the vehicle to the dealer or, in the cost of factory-fitted options, at any time before delivery will be passed on.
I would only have the right to terminate in the event that the total purchase price increased by more than 25 per cent.
This clause seems totally unreasonable for a retail purchase and I expect only to pay the price stipulated in the contract. I have asked the local dealer to see what they can do, but I am unlikely to get any comfort.
Steve W
A: Your situation is a reflection of the shortage of semiconductors, which affects the cars that are being delivered – not just by Mercedes-Benz – in Australia. According to a spokesperson at Mercedes-Benz Australia, you can expect a refund if a function is removed from the A35 because of missing computer chips and there could also be an extra cost if something is added in line with the standard specification. The best solution is to talk to the dealer and get a detailed report and costing of the vehicle that’s coming for you.
Q: I am looking to purchase a second-hand Mercedes-AMG G63 and would like your thoughts on the twin exhaust pipes positioned under the side rear passenger doors, exiting out each side.
Given the exhausts are positioned under an operable door, an opening window and extend outside the ‘plan’ of the vehicle, they breach multiple Australian Design Rules, particularly ADR24.
I have taken a G63 to a few workshops in order to get a roadworthy and been met by issues about the exhaust.
Multiple Licensed Vehicle Testers have said that they would not issue a RWC for this vehicle as it was clearly in breach of ADR and VicRoads VS regulations.
I enquired directly with VicRoads and asked how this vehicle could be road legal in Victoria with that exhaust system, as the LVT’s referred me to the side exiting exhaust being clearly in breach of VS26.
My issue is not only trying to obtain a RWC for this vehicle, but what problems might I face when I decide to sell it and try to get an RWC.
Howard N
A: This is the official response from Mercedes-Benz Australia which clears the G63: “All Mercedes-Benz 463 G63 vehicles were certified to the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) relevant at the time the vehicle was manufactured.With regard to the exhaust outlet position, the G63 twin exhaust outlets in front of the rear axle, on the left and right hand side of the vehicle complies with, and is certified to ADR 42.
If there is an inconsistency between Federal requirements (ADRs) and State requirements (Road Vehicle Transport Regulations), then the ADRs trump the Road Regulation. Side pipe location requirements have not been an ADR requirement since 2005.”
Q: I’m looking for a small SUV, with a manual transmission.
I have driven a Venue Active and there is one available.
But I’m also interested in a Nissan Qashqai.
Which vehicle would you recommend please?
Robyn R
A: The Venue is very good and our choice, particularly as an all-new Qashqai is a couple of months away and the current car is really showing its age.
Q: Just wondered if you have a contact for Kia Australia as I am having great difficulties in contacting them regarding purchasing an EV6 GT.
I contacted the KIA head office Customer service but was told to contact my local dealer.
But the dealer was unaware of a difference between an EV6 GT-Line and the EV6 GT.
He told me that they had already had stock of the car and sold out and wouldn’t be getting any further stock until 2023 and in fact they were not even taking any orders.
John S
A: Both the EV6 from Kia and the Hyundai Ioniq 5, essentially identical under the skin, are completely out of stock. They are in very short supply and were a sell-out within hours of the details going online. Hyundai sold all their next allocation within a few hours. If you want a car then you need to commit early when they next get an allocation from South Korea.
Q: I ordered a Kia Sportage GT diesel last November and a recent update says it is not scheduled for production yet.
Is this much delay normal with that vehicle ?
Also, some people in the online forums on Facebook have received their vehicles ordered in November.
A: Unfortunately, your situation is not remotely unusual. Plenty of people have been waiting for more than a year for the new Sportage. Sorry, but that’s the reality. You have ordered a diesel, and a GT, and both of those things work against you in terms of delivery. Ask the dealer what would happen if you went for a petrol engine and downgraded from the GT that takes lots of computer chips
Q: I would like your opinion on which is the best car to buy between the three I am considering.
They are the Kia Sportage SX, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport.
Barry S
A: You need to make a decision based on what you can get, not what is necessarily the best. At the moment, there are better supplies of Mazda vehicles than anything from Kia, so that would swing the decision away from the Sportage even if it is slightly better as a vehicle. The CR-V is not at the top of the class and quite expensive.
Q: We’re interested in purchasing a new mid-sized SUV.
At this stage we’re choosing between Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Subaru Forester, understanding it is all-wheel drive.
These are all roughly in our price range.
Interested in any strong views you have regarding the relative merits of these options. We’re not looking at any off-road driving, so should we reject the Forester?
Graeme H
A: Three of your four picks have enormous waiting lists, so if you want to guarantee an arrival this year then you should go for the Forester. It’s also a very good vehicle, and the all-wheel drive system is more for stability on dirt tracks and in snow that any rock hopping.
Q: I’ve been told that I need to purchase a ute for tax purposes for my husband’s business.
I’ve driven just about every ute and they all just seem so bumpy and noisy.
The only two that I have driven that I’ve liked are the VW Amarok, but but that doesn’t have enough safety features in terms of airbags and tech, and the Mercedes X-Class.
My husband is concerned that Mercedes isn’t making the X-Class any more so will they be hard to on-sell and parts may become expensive and difficult to purchase.
There is also the fact that for the money that we can spend which is around the $60,000 mark we would be needing to purchase a 2018 model.
Kelly M
A: The X-Class is really a Nissan Navara under the skin, with some extra safety tech because it was built in a factory in Europe. So not a very smart choice. The Amarok is a far smarter choice than the X-Class but Ford has just launched the all-new Ranger so take a test drive before you commit as it’s vastly improved and could win you.
Q: I cannot make up my mind between an Isuzu D-Max or a Ford Ranger Wildtrak.
I would be most interested in your thoughts.
Mark W
A: The Ranger has the advantage of Australian design and engineering, but the choice could easily come down to personal tastes and how you are using the vehicle. Towing or tradie work is very different from weekend escapes or general suburban driving. Only you can make the final decision and the best advice is to take comprehensive back-to-back test drives, including the family, on roads you know and even including parking at the supermarket.
If you have a question for the Car Doctor, send an email to [email protected]
