2013 Kia Carens 3 1.7 diesel

Summary:

Good family car if running right

Faults:

Uneven running between 1000 and 2000 RPM.

General Comments:

We got this car new at the end of September 2013. From the start it didn't run or pull evenly at various revs between 1000 and 2000 RPM. We accepted the salesman's request to wait until the 1500 mile courtesy check for it to be looked at.

It went into the service department last Thursday, and we were told they would have to keep it for another day. The next day we were told they would have to investigate further. After hearing nothing further, a visit to the dealer late on Monday revealed they had had to order a part for the rocker assembly. They were unable to say when it would arrive, and it was possible that the part could be on 'back order'. When asked if this meant it might have to come from Korea, the service department couldn't say.

Two days later we still haven't heard anything.

So we've owned a new Kia for two months, it has never run right, and we have no idea when we will get it back. Our first new car experience has been ruined.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 13th November, 2013

14th Nov 2013, 14:28

You have a lot of rights if the car was purchased new from a main dealer, so take advice (check your house/car insurance or breakdown policy for legal cover) or go to your local CAB.

If the car cannot be fixed ASAP and is not fit for purpose or of satisfactory quality, you can reject it and have a full refund.

Tell the garage you are taking advice on this, and they will do anything to avoid you legally rejecting the car.

In reply to 14th Nov 2013, 14:28

13th Mar 2014, 07:57

Yes, you do have rights, but you also have to give the dealer a reasonable chance of correcting the fault.

And to be honest, it sounds like they're serious about doing so. They could've fobbed you off!

Just make sure you document every step of the way. I did this and managed to get a replacement car at a year old.

Cheers - Peter.

2005 Kia Carens LX 2.0 CRDI turbo diesel

Summary:

Comfortable, roomy, but a little thirsty and basic

Faults:

Diesel leak.

General Comments:

I bought this car after a disastrous time with a Renault Grand Scenic.

I tried to get one previously, but they do get snapped up quickly.

It's very comfortable with large seats and a good high view out.

The heater takes a while to warm up, but it is a diesel.

I bought it in 2010, and it had a slight diesel leak, which was noticeable in the car, but the dealer was excellent, and took half an hour to fix it while I waited.

The fuel consumption is about 24mpg around town, but on the few runs I've done, I think it's up around 40mpg, which isn't too bad.

My main complaints about this car are the noise inside and the automatic gear box. There is a real clatter from the engine. It sounds very agricultural, and there are lots of rattles and vibrations. It does get smoother at motorway speeds though.

The automatic gearbox seems to want to change down all the time. Going around a corner in town, it will drop into first and the revs will shoot up, and then it quickly changes back up again. Even at fast speeds, a slight touch on the throttle will get it to change down when it would have been better in the same gear.

Apart from the above, the car is quite pleasant to drive, and obviously being more of a "budget" motor, it is a little bit more basic than some European models.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th March, 2011

7th Mar 2012, 17:18

This was my review. I eventually sorted the gearbox problem very simply by pulling the "memory/room" fuse in the underbonnet fuse box. I left it disconnected for 40 minutes. When plugged back in, the gearbox was reset to factory settings. It was like driving a different car.

In reply to 7th Mar 2012, 17:18

4th Jan 2015, 14:25

I was thinking of buying one of these, because now in 2015 they are cheap and seem to be reliable.

Is it true that economy wise the 2 litre diesel auto is almost as heavy on fuel as a 2 litre petrol? I would like to know, as I need an auto with diesel MPG, and something that is easy to get in and out of because of my knee trouble.