Mahindra Problems

There is zero chance of the e2o coming to Australia. The cost to certify it would be prohibitive, if it even complies with Australian Design Rules on safety. The government is doing zero to help car makers, which is why the excellent Nissan Leaf costs too much for anyone to give it a go.

It won’t be a gearbox fault, and it won’t be air in the fuel. It’s happening on first starts, so look for something that’s amiss with it during the cold start phase. It’s probably not getting the required enrichment. Check the engine sensors.

There are much better vehicles available in the Australian car market than the Mahindra XUV500. Even low-mileage second-hand four-wheel-drive SUVs would be my suggestion.

First things first: You new-car warranty is set down in Australian law, and the ACCC has pretty firm views of how warranties should work when conflicts arise between owners and car companies. So that’s one less thing to worry about.

But I would definitely recommend finding some way to ensure the service handbook is filled out correctly as this will directly affect the resale value of the car when you decide to trade-up. As a rule of thumb, the new-car warranty (and whatever roadside assistance is offered) should start on the day the car is registered. Usually, that’s the day the car is delivered to its new owner or, in the case of your car being an ex-demo, the first day it was registered as the dealership demonstrator.