Zarniwoop

1. I don't think that is a Dolomite... I think that is a "Moon", but I could be wrong. 2. I would not be considering repairing it... the inner rim is bent out of shape, and the inner rim diagonally opposite that damage looks as if its been hammered back into shape previously (is that what you refer to as "peening"?) On safety grounds alone I'd be looking to replace it, either with a secondhand one, or else I suspect new replacements are still available.

Yes, its Steel Grey, though in my picture it looks a shade or two browner than it is in the flesh. Avoided the interstellar grey as being too dark and therefore showing the dirt more...though the piano black skirts on the higher spec Niros (matt black on base models) will show just as much dirt... they can't be avoided in any colour. We just thought the Steel Grey was the most elegant-looking of what was on offer (just personal taste). Saw most of the colours in the metal on various showroom models when choosing. The car does look stunning...unfortunately not enough room in showroom to get good pics...will put that right when we get the car home. As regards Cash/CarLoan/PCP we bought cash, partly because owing to an investment maturity we had the cash available (might as well reinvest it in a car as put it into some bond earning next to no interest) , but also because we've never experienced PCP and can't get our heads round the maths. To the untrained mind it seems PCP deals are more suited to people who want to change their cars frequently... we intend to keep this for a good time. (The present Yeti we've had for eight years from new...the longest we've ever kept a car for. And we're keeping it as our second car.) This Niro is probably the last car we will ever buy as by the time it needs replacing we'll be old enough to be giving up driving altogether. We chose the PHEV (plug-in hybrid) as it best suits our use: the electric range of nearly 40 miles is adequate for all our day to day trips, and we have a home charging point, so will almost never need to put petrol in it. But the hybrid side gives us all the range we will want for the occasional more distant day out and for holidays. We could not take the range anxiety of an EV at our age! We went for the top-of-the-range 4 spec mainly for the far superior fit and finish over the 2 and for a few bells and whistles like the memory/heated/ventilated/auto access enhanced electric seats (the two of us have very different ideas about positional comfort for driving). Most of the hi-tech wizardry we would prefer to be without... we are especially fearful that there will be a cacophony of warning and welcoming gongs and hooters, and are hoping there will be some way of turning them off, likewise some of the so-called safety features we'd rather be in control of ourselves, rather than the car taking over unexpectedly. It will be a steep learning curve, but we're hopeful that our favourable test-drive experiences will be borne out in real life. Also went top-of-the-range because in the past we have economised (out of necessity) and almost immediately regretted not having certain features. This last time it's all there to be used if we want it, or ignored if not. Will report back in due course.

I'm taking delivery of a new Niro PHEV next Wednesday (March 1st new registration). Mine is the 4 trim level, so full spec with the fully electric adjustable seats which also automatically slide back when you are getting in/out of the car for extra room, one of our reasons for choosing the 4, as we both have old-age joint issues! I'll report on our impressions when we have had the car for a few days. One drawback with the PHEV is that the boot is a bit shallower due to the presence beneath of the traction battery (no spare wheel option) but my rollator fits in for everyday use, and for holiday travel we'll put the rear seats down (only the two of us).

No, my car has the older, chain driven camshaft engine, and is (thankfully) not equipped with stop/start, so does not have an AGM or EFB battery. Maybe that's why the battery has lasted so well.

For my 2015 1.2 Tsi DSG I've just replaced my battery as a precaution as it was nearly eight years old. It had shown no signs of trouble at all, but I decided the risks were too great with another winter coming on and the car living outside in the elements. I reckoned the old battery owed me nothing, and I'd been delighted with the service it had given. (Exide branded as OEM)) Replacement cost just under £100, Yuasa HSB013, with a 5 year guarantee.

As above.. For less than a fiver you could buy a "Hella Kleenaplug" (see eBay listing and probably available from other outlets), a small tool that will clean out both male and female pins/sockets; in my caravanning days there was one permanently parked in the car glove box in case of dodgy connections.

Well, it MIGHT be a FSH if, indeed, the car wasn't serviced at all between 19700 and 48500 miles, nearly 29000 miles without any attention. If that's the case, I'd be handing it back, however much you like it!

I believe that is a device to prevent water being ingested into the engine; there s no filter inside it. N.B. It is not designed to allow you to drive through deep water, so don't be tempted to do so!

I believe my boot light contains rechargeable batteries (it's removable for use as a torch). If yours is similar, it sounds to me as if the rechargeable batteries need replacing, as they are not holding a charge. This would explain why the light stays on when the engine is running, and therefore a charging current is being applied, but it goes off when the charging current ceases.

Whether you should avoid a DSG or not depends upon the weight you give to the comments of those who have have problems. Some 7 speed DSG gearboxes have indeed given trouble. However, there are literally millions of them out there working perfectly... and bringing delightful driving experiences to their owners. My 2015 1.2 TSi, which has now covered about 45,000 miles in its six and a half years, is running beautifully, and I wouldn't go back to a manual at any price. But I did have a problem with it in its first year, when gear changes were sometimes accompanied by a chirrupy noise; this was remedied by replacement of the clutch pack under warranty, since which it has given perfect service. The only way you will get one of the wet clutch versions (which have fewer reported issues) is to go diesel, but in my view that opens a far bigger can of worms, as the diesels have their own set of issues not related to the transmission. I have no data to back this up, but I get the impression that I see far more issues with problems relating to diesel emission systems than I do to dry clutch DSGs. There is a very vocal anti-DSG lobby; but you must remember that people who are happy with their DSGs (who are the overwhelming majority of those who own them), never write in to complain, whereas nearly everybody with a problem does write in.

Point taken!

I too have all-component extended Skoda warranty (on my 6 year old Yeti); my reading of the conditions suggest the EGR should be covered, but I can find no mention of glow plugs, either in the list of covered items or the list of excluded items. As has been suggested, it comes down to what is deemed to be a "consumable" item. Suggest you have a read of your small-print, and draw your own conclusions. (As an example, clutch components are covered, except for frictional material, which I read as release bearing, slave cylinder etc covered, friction plate not (cover plate: anyone's guess!; likewise brake components are covered, but not frictional material....which I read as discs covered, pads not.)

The moment they inspect the car the offer will drop like a stone: every tiny imperfection will assume massive proportions, and you will be told how undesirable your car is!

Same here, too. Our Yeti has just entered its seventh year, and we plan to keep it for a few years more. Just about to renew the extended warranty: all component cover for £180 a year is a no-brainer, given that almost ANY repair, however minor is going to cost that. (Not that I've ever had to use the extended warranty....nothing ever goes wrong..... OOPS, shouldn't have said that!). There's just no other car on the market that would replace the Yeti... and why are ALL cars today so ugly...all covered with bling and with horrible wheels? Whatever happened to elegant looking cars (not that the Yeti is elegant, but it is at least pleasing to look at, and so delightful to drive). No, we'll save our cash and hang on to the Yeti while she still behaves herself.

Absolutely nowhere in my post am I attempting to protect the Skoda/VW brand or the Yeti model...... I never mention that, or intended it. Take it easy, buddy! I merely suggested that its unreasonable to expect a nine year old car to have no faults, and develop none, irrespective of how well designed the components are/were. As I said, I'm not unsympathetic, and I'm sorry I can't offer any specific ways forward for you. But there's no reason to flame me just because I mentioned that the age of the vehicle might have something to do with the problems. And I'm sorry if I offended you with my choice of words over the mileage. Would you have got so angry if I'd said "you haven't told us the mileage"? Just trying to offer a balanced contribution to the debate, not trying to ruffle anyone's feathers.