Mumbai

•8w

My 2018 Tata Hexa XTA has been facing turbo and DPF issues. I have also been struggling to find spare parts when needed. The car has done 71,000 km. Is it advisable to keep it in the long run?

•8w

Given a 2018 Hexa XTA with 71,000 km and repeated turbo and so‑called DPF trouble, plus the hassles you’ve had getting parts, I would not plan to keep it for the long run. The Hexa is lovely to travel in, but Tata no longer sells it, and parts for items like the turbo, differential bits, and some trim are already in short supply. As the car crosses 80,000-100,000 km, more components wear out on a big diesel and an older automatic, which can mean longer downtime and higher bills if parts are not readily available.

Before you decide, please note that a 2018 Hexa is BS4 and therefore does not normally have a DPF. If someone has called it a DPF issue, get a second opinion at a strong Tata workshop or a trusted diesel specialist. Many owners see similar symptoms from a clogged EGR, faulty sensors, or exhaust parts, not a DPF. A proper scan with the right tool can save you from chasing the wrong fix.

If you still love the car and can live with waits, you can hold on, but set it up for fewer surprises. Get the turbo and intercooler pipes pressure-checked, clean the EGR and intake, refresh the automatic gearbox oil if not already done, and note exact part numbers so you can pre-order likely items. Even then, delays will remain.

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More questions on similar cars

•1d

How is the life of my Kia Carens diesel automatic purchased in 2023?

•2h

Your 2023 Kia Carens Diesel Automatic should have a long and healthy life ahead of it, provided it is maintained properly and used in a manner that suits a modern diesel.The good news is that your car is still relatively new, and the 1.5-litre diesel engine has proven to be a refined and dependable unit. If your driving includes regular highway runs or trips where the engine gets fully warmed up, there is no reason why the car cannot comfortably serve you for well over a decade. Modern diesels are capable of very high mileages when maintained correctly.The main thing to watch out for is the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). If your usage is predominantly short city trips, the DPF can clog over time. However, if you regularly drive on highways or take longer journeys, the system should regenerate naturally and remain trouble-free.

Kia Carens

•1d

Hi everyone, I'm a 37-year-old male and am planning to immediately replace my Renault Triber Petrol Manual and would appreciate your suggestions. My budget is between Rs. 15 and 20 lakh (on-road) for tier-2 city with monthly running of around 500 km and annual running of around 8,000 km. I take long trips of 400 to 600 km once every 2 months. I have a family of 4 including my wife and two kids. Occasionally, my parents or in-laws travel with us, so a 7-seater is preferred. I have shortlisted Kia Carens Clavis HTK+ Diesel Manual, Maruti Ertiga ZXi Petrol Automatic and Maruti Victoris VXi Petrol Automatic . I am confused about diesel car due to my relatively low annual running (~8,000 km). Will DPF issues become a major concern and whether I should go for automatic or manual, considering my age and occasional knee discomfort due to which I am interested in an automatic car. Will choosing an automatic over a diesel manual worth my money? I have another confusion between Ertiga and Invicto in terms of better long-term choice for my usage. Another concern is regarding the safety of Ertiga. Has Maruti made any improvements to its body structure or safety over the years? Its 1-star Global NCAP rating is a concern. Also, what real-world Ertiga automatic mileage can I expect in city and highway driving? Many owners have mentioned that Carens petrol has poor mileage. Is it really that bad in real-world conditions? Also, should I be worried about E20/E30 fuel compatibility and long-term ownership? I am not interested in buying an EV at the moment.

•13m

The Kia Carens Clavis Petrol Automatic would be our recommendation. While your family consists of four members, you've specifically mentioned that your parents or in-laws do join you on trips from time to time, which means a genuinely usable third row is important. The Carens Clavis offers the best balance of space, comfort and practicality for seven occupants, while also being easy to drive and comfortable on the 400-600km trips you undertake every couple of months. With an annual running of around 8,000km, we would also avoid the diesel. Although your highway trips should help keep DPF-related issues at bay, the fuel savings are unlikely to justify the higher purchase price and complexity of a modern diesel. Given your knee discomfort, an automatic is definitely worth choosing over a manual and will make day-to-day driving far more relaxing.As for the Carens petrol's fuel efficiency, it is true that some owners report lower-than-expected figures, particularly in heavy city traffic. However, with your relatively modest annual running, we wouldn't let mileage become the deciding factor. The difference in fuel costs between the Carens petrol automatic and a more efficient alternative is unlikely to be substantial enough to outweigh the benefits of the Kia's superior space, comfort and practicality.The Ertiga Automatic remains a sensible option if value, fuel efficiency and ease of ownership are your priorities, but its safety credentials continue to be a concern. The Victoris feels more premium and offers greater comfort on long journeys, but if you genuinely expect to travel with six or seven people, the Carens Clavis is simply the more practical vehicle.

Kia Carens Clavis

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

•1d

I am looking to buy an EV. My monthly usage ranges from 500 km to 1,000 km, and my budget is under Rs. 15 lakh. Could you please suggest the best EV options for my requirements?

•1h

Get the Tata Punch EV 40kWh. Your 500-1000 km a month is exactly its sweet spot, and the price is comfortably under Rs. 15 lakh in most cities. One home charge a week should be enough for your normal city usage, and you'll still have room for a short weekend round-trip. It is easy to drive and park, rides well on bad roads, and Tata’s EV service reach is pretty wide now.If you plan to use it on highways, it will need some planning around chargers, and the boot is modest. If you want even more range and a larger vehicle, the Tata Nexon EV 45kWh mid-level trims are an option, but won't get as many features and will stretch your budget. For most first-time EV buyers at this budget, the Punch EV 40 is the best choice.

Tata Punch EV

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

I have a 5kW solar connection at my house. I would like to buy an EV with a range of 500km+ on a full charge, within a budget of Rs 25-28 lakh. Which is the best option?

•5d

The Mahindra XEV 9S and XEV 9e would both be excellent choices within your budget. The key difference comes down to your space requirements. The XEV 9S is the one to choose if you need the flexibility of a 7-seat layout, while the XEV 9e is a 5-seater with a sleeker design and more emphasis on style. Beyond that, both models share the same battery packs and electric motors, so there is little to separate them in terms of performance, charging capability or range.While both have claimed ranges comfortably above 500km, in the real world you should expect closer to 450-470km on a full charge, depending on your driving style, speed and usage conditions. Even so, that remains among the best figures available in this price range.Your 5kW solar setup is an added advantage and should help keep charging costs very low over the long term.

Mahindra XEV 9S

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•1w

I was planning to buy the Honda Amaze CVT earlier, but due to uncertainty around a higher percentage of ethanol blending, I have decided to go with the Tata Altroz diesel. But now I read that the government is also planning to blend isobutanol in diesel. Should I buy a diesel vehicle or not? Will isobutanol adversely affect diesel engines and affect fuel economy?

•6d

There is no reason to avoid either a petrol or a diesel car purely because of future fuel-blending plans.Just as modern petrol cars are being engineered to handle higher ethanol blends, any future diesel blend regulations will be accompanied by corresponding changes from vehicle manufacturers. If isobutanol blending is introduced, it will be done in a controlled manner, and vehicles sold in the market will be calibrated accordingly. There is currently no evidence to suggest that such blends would cause adverse effects on modern diesel engines when used within the prescribed limits.The more important question is whether a diesel suits your usage pattern. If your running is high and includes regular highway trips, the Altroz Diesel remains a compelling option. However, if your usage is predominantly urban, the Honda Amaze CVT is still the more sensible choice. It offers a smoother driving experience, lower complexity and none of the DPF-related concerns associated with modern diesel engines.

Tata Altroz

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•1w

Which would be the better choice among the BYD Sealion 7, Mahindra XEV 9e, and Vinfast VF7? I currently own a Skoda Superb, which is 6 years old, and my ownership experience has been good so far. However, I am considering switching to an EV as a replacement, mainly because I am concerned about potential mechatronics-related repairs and higher maintenance costs as the car ages, even though I have not faced any issues yet. My heart says the BYD Sealion 7 would be the ideal replacement or upgrade for the Superb because of its build quality, premium cabin, and overall feel. However, my mind wonders whether it truly offers good value for money considering its premium price tag, although budget is not a major constraint for me. My daily driving is around 20-30 km, mostly within the city, with only occasional outstation trips. Considering my usage pattern and expectations, which of these EVs would you recommend?

•1d

Pick the BYD Sealion 7. It comes closest to your Superb in the way it feels inside and the calm, premium way it goes down the road, and BYD’s EV tech is well proven here. For 20-30km city usage it is smooth, very efficient, and the cabin quality, quietness and ride will feel like a real upgrade that's on par with luxury cars in the same price range.The Mahindra XEV 9e and Vinfast VF7 do sound like good value with the amount of performance and features they offer, but they both belong a size and segment down on the BYD, and that's reflected in the price too. Plus, though feature laden, their cabins will not give you the same plushness you enjoyed in your Skoda Superb. One catch with the Sealion 7 is BYD’s smaller network as compared to Mahindra. But with budget not being a big worry and your usage being mostly in the city, the peace-of-mind of mature EV hardware and genuine upmarket feel makes the BYD the right call for you. Charge at home and you will need to top up just once every few days.

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Posted on: 25 Apr 2026