Seat gives Leon the estate flair

Seat has a new version of the Leon hatchback on the market and extended its boot area in a new Sports Tourer model. The new Leon Sports Tourer is available with a petrol or diesel engine power that includes TDI diesel engines and TSI petrol engines. Prices start from €20,185 and the car is available in S, SE and FR equipment levels.

Opel meet best built challenge

A west Cork driver was forced to put the Opel’s build quality to the test. The family had to abandon their 2006 Opel Astra as it was engulfed by a wave near Skibbereen. The driver went to assess the car two hours later and discovered that it was completely dry inside. Both the engine and battery were in full working order and he drove the car away.

Car clocking to be a criminal offence

Leo Varadkar, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, has proposed an amendment to the Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013 to make it an offence to tamper with an odometer of a motor vehicle.

Car clockers use this technique to falsely inflate used car values.

Car clocking involves the dishonest practice of winding the odometer reading on a car backwards. Under current legislation the practice of clocking is not an offence.

The National Consumer Agency (NCA) has successfully prosecuted a number motor dealers in recent times under the consumer protection legislation for engaging in ‘misleading practices’.

However, prosecutions have been difficult to achieve and sanctions have been minimal.