SECRET SHOPPER AT THE DEALER

I got a call from Volkswagen Australia, offering me a free service on my Tiguan. The car was due for its second service and VW wanted to use my vehicle to check whether the dealer’s servicing was carried out correctly. They came to my house and put easily-identifiable faults in my car. They were a blown globe, low tyre pressures, disconnected engine hoses among other things. On the return of the car not one item had been fixed and the VW dealer got a very bad report and I got my car serviced free, saving more than $550. Just goes to show how some dealers charge the world for poor service.

Ian Sutton, email

It’s good to see at least one car company keeping its dealers honest with a “secret shopper” strategy.

NOT SO GRAND DESIGNS

You recommended the Suzuki Grand Vitara to two readers, one of whom is a pensioner in the country who does quite a few kilometres every year. I agree the Grand Vitara is a much underrated vehicle. I live in rural Victoria and bought a new GV in 2011 to use as a second car solely for long trips. I sold it in March with only 50,000km as I was continually frustrated with servicing and repair issues. A fuel injection fault was repaired under warranty at 15,000km — but it took 10 days for the part to arrive and then I had some tough negotiation to get it installed immediately as the workshop was “busy”. On another occasion, the NRMA fixed a significant oil leak but getting a new oil filter turned into a major exercise as the nearest dealer was 100km away. The local Repco store didn’t stock Suzuki service items or spares. In a rural area, Suzuki is just a minor brand in larger dealerships. Buying a 17-inch tyre for a GV is an interesting and expensive exercise . The GV is a good vehicle to drive but as a country person I would stick to common brands such as Ford, Toyota, Mitsubishi and Nissan — you would get fewer hassles when servicing and repairs are required.

Graham Holloway, email

That is excellent feedback and we’ve passed the comments to Suzuki to try to improve the service to customers.

SEVEN UP

I’m looking at buying a Volkswagen Golf and I am tossing up between the new GTD or the R Line. I have previously owned a 2015 Subaru WRX but the wife wants a smaller car with similar zippiness. Am I on the right track, in your opinion? I am quite partial to the R Line. Ricky Dal Ben, email The R Line will definitely have the zip you want and the car gets The Tick from me. Perhaps look at a just-superseded Mark 7 car, not the 7.5 update, as there are $2000 bonuses.

BY THE BOOK

Great to read about saving on servicing. My 2012 Mitsubishi Triton is due for its 90,000km service and is six months out of warranty. I asked for a quote from the dealership — which came back at $1840. So I rang around and found a highly recommended diesel mechanic who has started his own business and his quote was $970, to be done as per Mitsubishi books and guaranteed.

Ashley Hart, email

You should also ensure the parts are genuine, as there is a lot of fake stuff coming into Australia. Franchise dealers use genuine parts.

THE SMART OIL

I own a 2016 Ford Ranger XLT and am about to get a new 3000kg caravan. I want to monitor the transmission oil temperature so I don’t overwork the auto. I have you can do this with a dongle and smartphone. Can you confirm this and recommend one for use in my Ranger?

Rob Irving, email

Go to https://automatictransmission.com.au — and you’ll find a product for the Ranger that works.

PARK AFTER DARK

Re daytime running lights. Parking lights are just that, for when you are parked on the side of the road briefly and want your vehicle to be visible to other traffic. If it is dark enough for parking lights when driving, it is dark enough for headlights. Dark-coloured cars are harder to see in the early evening and we should appreciate those motorists who make it easier to be seen. Some lights are extremely bright and hard on the eyes. I always turn my lights on before dark as I want other drivers to see me.

James Evans, email

BEAM TEAM

Parking lights are just that, parking lights. Headlights are for putting on low-beam at dusk, in fog, rain and low light conditions

Rohan Garth, email

That’s straight to the point.