Autocar India
1d

I have a Tata Tiago AMT bought in 2020, and it has covered 120,000km. Mechanically, everything is good, but the body has started rusting. I had it repainted once at a Tata dealership, but the rust has returned. The dealership says Tata cars naturally rust. What should I do? I really love my Tiago.

Verified
19m
The first step is to identify whether the rust is surface rust or structural corrosion on your Tata Tiago. Surface rust, especially around stone chips, door edges or weld joints, can usually be treated by sanding, applying anti-rust treatment and repainting the affected panels. If the rust is recurring in the same areas despite repairs, we'd recommend getting a second opinion from a reputed independent body shop rather than relying solely on the dealership.
We also wouldn't agree that "Tata cars naturally rust". While some owners have reported rusting issues, it is certainly not normal for every Tata car, and recurring corrosion after a proper repair suggests the root cause may not have been addressed.
If the corrosion is extensive or affecting structural areas such as the floor, suspension mounting points or chassis members, then it becomes a safety concern, and you should seriously consider replacing the car. However, if it is confined to cosmetic panels, it is usually worth repairing, especially since the rest of the car has served you well.
Tata Tiago

Tata Tiago

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1d

I drive a 2021 Nissan Turbo XV manual. I find the air conditioning is not effective. It only cools when it is not sunny outside. Other Nissan folks are also facing similar concerns. Any hacks for this, as the service centre people, the AC is working fine.

Verified
18h

This sounds like classic high heat-load plus weak condenser airflow. Start with simple tips: when starting off, keep the windows open for just about 30 seconds to let out all the hot air, then use recirculation, set the temperature to minimum and the blower to 2 or 3, not full blast. Aim the front vents slightly upward so cool air spreads.Now push the workshop for checks they often skip. Ask for a proper AC performance test in peak heat with gauges and a vent thermometer. While driving around with an ambient temperature of around 35 deg, ideally, you should be getting low single-digit vent temperatures. If the vent temperature is 12 degrees or above, the system needs a check. Low or overfilled gas both hurt cooling, and moisture in the system needs a full vacuum and refill. Get the cabin filter replaced; a choked filter kills flow. Make them clean the condenser from the front of the car and straighten bent fins. Confirm the condenser fan’s high speed actually kicks in when AC is on in traffic; a lazy fan, relay, or resistor will make it cool only at night. Also, ask them to inspect the air‑mix flap or cable; partial hot-air bleed is common and feels exactly like “works when the sun is weak.” If your dealer shrugs, try another Nissan outlet.

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My annual running is below 7,000 km, and I plan to keep my next car for 12-15 years. I am confused between Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Elevate, Creta, Seltos and Victoris. My priorities are reliability, a good balance of power and fuel efficiency, family comfort, low maintenance and long-term ownership. I am also concerned about India's future ethanol-blending policy (E20 and higher blends). Which of these would be the best long-term choice and why?

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With an annual running of less than 7,000km, fuel efficiency should not be the deciding factor. Instead, you should focus on comfort, reliability, ownership experience and how well the car will age over the next 12-15 years. That's why we wouldn't prioritise the Grand Vitara, Hyryder or Victoris Hybrid. Their hybrid systems command a price premium that you'll struggle to recover with such low annual usage.Between the remaining options, the Kia Seltos strikes the best balance. It offers a refined and proven naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth IVT automatic, a spacious and premium cabin, excellent comfort and a strong ownership experience. It also feels newer and more upmarket than the Elevate, while the Creta is due for a generational update sooner.The Honda Elevate deserves a mention for its simplicity and reliability. If absolute mechanical simplicity is your priority, it is arguably the safest long-term bet. However, it doesn't feel as premium as the Seltos. The engine and CVT combination isn't quite as refined, and Honda's dealer network is smaller.As for ethanol blending, we wouldn't let it influence your purchase decision. While there is plenty of discussion around E25, E27 and E30 fuels, there is currently no confirmed roadmap for such a transition. More importantly, all of these cars are E20-compliant, and manufacturers have engineered a degree of tolerance beyond that. The most likely effect of higher ethanol blends would be a small reduction in fuel efficiency and slightly accelerated wear of certain fuel-system components over a very long period, not a major reliability issue.

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Dear Autocar experts, I have tentatively decided to buy the Mahindra XUV 7X0 petrol AX7L AT as my next ride. To be frank, it is out of a lack of choice and options that I have made this decision in my head. In terms of capability, it is a downgrade, as I'm moving on from my beautiful Ford Endeavour 3.2 Titanium AT. Of course, it has a long list of bells and whistles that will be all new (and strange) to me. Being based in Delhi NCR, I am reluctant to go for a diesel again at this time. My driving in the city is quite minimal, say about 15kms max per day on average, but always in the clutches of peak Delhi traffic. I am terrified of BSVI diesel DPF horror stories. I am hoping that the 7X0 will be able to negotiate hills, mountain terrains and roads satisfactorily, as I make these trips quite frequently. I plan to keep this car for the next 4-5 years till India sorts out its fuel preferences and diktats, and fresh options are introduced that combine clean energy and performance along with the infrastructure to support them. Is my thought process sound? If not, please poke as many holes in it as you can.

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Your plan seems sound for Delhi-NCR, because petrol dodges the 10-year diesel cap and DPF hassles, and your 15 km daily crawl will not punish petrol the way it would a BS6 diesel. The XUV 7XO petrol AT has strong performance and will certainly keep you satisfied while negotiating hill climbs. Sure, coming from an Endeavour 3.2, this will feel like a step down in terms of road presence and off-road ability. However, despite being a front-wheel drive monocoque, it still exudes an underlying toughness, which gives you ample confidence while dealing with rough terrain. Additionally, the tech and safety are up-to-date, and the three-row flexibility will come in handy, too, although boot space with all three rows in place is low. On the flipside, this petrol-AT is thirsty, so expect single-digit city fuel economy figures.If you aren't in a hurry, consider waiting for the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV that JSW is expected to launch in the latter half of this year. Sure, it'll be more expensive than the Mahindra, and it might not have the off-road capability of your outgoing Endeavour, but since you aren't fully convinced of the Mahindra, this could be worthy of your consideration.

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Posted on: 30 Jun 2026