Michael McAleer answers your queries
From Eric Ruddle:
I encountered an alarming situation recently while buying parts for my 1995 Mazda MX 6. Due to a split rubber drive shaft gaitor, which began leaking grease on the offside, I was forced to search for a replacement part that I ordered from a Mazda dealer.
After paying a €40 deposit (a condition that had to be met before the dealer would take the order) I picked up the new part and settled the balance of €€93.46. So, the total cost of the part was €133.46, which included VAT at 21 per cent.
Three weeks later I discovered to my horror that the same fault had mysteriously developed on the nearside of the car. After taking some advice, I decided to price the part in Northern Ireland - my advisor felt that I had probably paid too much for the first part.
A Mazda dealer in Co Down took my phone request for the part and, without any deposit, made the order. On picking up the part they told me that the total charge was £30, which included VAT at 17.5 per cent.
Deducting the VAT and taking account of the current exchange rate between euro and pound, I am out of pocket by a grand total of €€72.72.
Would any reader be able to advise as to why such a huge price difference exists between Mazda parts in the Republic and the North - or is this just another of the many "great Irish consumer rip-offs" to which the Republic's people are subjected on a daily basis?
Mazda's Irish distributor says that this sort of problem arises over parts for older or discontinued cars. Few of these parts are stocked.
Mazda here is also surprised by the price of the part in the North, for the price of the part they "landed" here that they have been quoted by Mazda is £48.
Dave Moran of Mazda suggests that, while you were quoted the list price for the part at your local dealer, perhaps the dealer in the North was selling the parts at significant discount if not below cost. According to Moran, discounting of older parts is increasingly common.
"In some instances to stick to the initial price would mean a part could cost more than the car is worth. Mazda has now instructed its dealers to offer special prices for parts for discontinued or older car models, if the part is available. However, if the part has to be ordered in then motorists are facing the full cost.
"There is also the fact that this particular part should be changed every five years and all Mazda service dealers are instructed to inspect both sides when changing one. If this were the case, and the dealer noted the price of the new part, undoubtedly they would have offered it at a discount price."
As a gesture of goodwill Mazda is offering to refund €40 to Mr Ruddle.
From Aidan McDonnell:
In reference to Sean Loughnane's query last week about oil stains on the driveway, a remedy may be to heat a baking tray of ordinary sand in the oven to 200°. Carefully pour the heated sand over the affected area. It should dissolve and absorb the oil. Wait until it has cooled, then sweep up and dump the soiled sand.
The procedure may need to be repeated a few times.
From Aileen Kerr:
To share my experience regarding oil leaks on pathways, 'Gunk' oil solvent worked like magic for me.
The ingenuity of our readers leaves us in awe.
Send your queries to
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie