CompleteCar.ie logo | Car Reviews, News and Features

Quick car review finder - select below

4,867 Irish motoring queries answered to date.

On CompleteCar.ie there is no such thing as a silly question. No matter how small or complicated an issue seems, we'll help. Our experts will quickly answer your queries in a friendly and jargon-free manner. What are you waiting for? Ask us Anything!

Please remember that we offer advice, not gospel. We cannot be held responsible for recalls, a second hand car's history, acts of God, changes in car pricing or Government policy. We are here to help and offer independent, impartial and free advice. What you do with it is entirely up to you!

By submitting a question you are agreeing to this statement. Thank you.

Ask Us Anything

The process for submitting questions has temporarily been restricted to registered users.

To register, go to the registration form.


CompleteCar.ie aims to be completely compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), implemented on 25 May, 2018. At no stage shall we contact you without your express permission (by entering your email address, you are consenting for us to send you emails relating directly to your question). Your data will never be shared with a third party and it is kept in a secure database on our servers, with limited personnel access. You have the right to have your data deleted at any time and also to get a copy of your data on file. For any related queries, please send us a message using the form on the Who we are page.

Trade-in value of my BMW X1?

I have a 171 BMW X1 18d xLine manual, with about 90k on the clock. It’s in good condition, no known faults/issues, full main dealer BMW service history, sunroof and metallic paint. If I was to trade in with the same dealer I bought it from and service it with, against a BMW i4, what trade in value should I be aiming for?

Filed under used car values - Asked by Martin Moroney (Dublin) - Thu, 03 Mar 2022 21:21


Electric or hybrid for my 100km commute?

Hi,

I am currently driving from Limerick to Kilarney five days a week for work and driving a diesel BMW 5 Series. I am looking at the option of electric or hybrid and would really appreciate any advice on which may be a better option for these type of journeys.

Filed under choosing new car - Asked by Brian Lawlor (Limerick) - Sun, 06 Mar 2022 12:42


EV or hybrid with €50,000 to spend?

Hi there,

My parents are in the market for a new car (sub €50k). They like the height of the crossovers/SUVs and are interested in a hybrid or electric model. They do about 18k km per annum, mostly on country roads, and the odd road trip to Dublin (300km each way). Wondering would you recommend full EV (Skoda Enyaq) or hybrid (Peugeot 3008 &and VW Tiguan)?

Many thanks,

Michael, Ennis

Filed under choosing new car - Asked by Michael Sweeney (Tulla) - Wed, 02 Feb 2022 12:54


Why is my Santa Fe tax so high?

Hello,

I brought home a Santa Fe from Australia - it's a 151 2.2 litre and it's the exact same car as the Santa Fe here as all the parts for servicing and all fit no bother. It has an automatic transmission. My question is the tax on it is €750 a year; how is it so high compared to any other Santa Fes here?

Regard Phelim

Filed under importing - Asked by Phelim Moran (Wicklow) - Thu, 20 Jan 2022 20:51


Any bargains on the Citroen C5 Aircross?

My question is, seeing as the Citroen C5 Aircross is getting a facelift and new features will be available in Ireland in June, will there be a price reduction in the current versions now awaiting availability in dealers?

Filed under choosing new car - Asked by Kieran McGlynn (Bunbeg) - Sat, 15 Jan 2022 12:32


Why differences in Suzuki tax prices?

I have a Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 DDiS with a DPF filter from 2009 and the motor tax is €1,250, while the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 DDiS tax is €750. Why, because both are NEPC qualified? They have the same engines. I also found the same 2009 DDiS model on DoneDeal, but registered in a different county and the tax was €750. Where are the differences in prices and qualification from?

Yours sincerely,

Robert

Filed under taxation - Asked by Robert Gambin (Ennis) - Mon, 22 Nov 2021 17:11


Why no sunroof on Irish Octavia RS?

Been looking at a Skoda Octavia RS, but can't see the option of a sunroof on the Irish website on the configurator,  but it's available on the UK ones. Is the lack of availability due to our wonderful VRT rules?

Filed under optional extras - Asked by Simon MacMahon (Navan) - Tue, 21 Dec 2021 12:46


Should I buy a Maserati Quattroporte?

I’m in the process of changing my car, which is a 2018 Mercedes E-Class saloon - diesel - and a 2015 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0-litre diesel with low mileage has caught my eye. My concerns are about the maintenance cost and reliability of such a different kind of car. Or am I mad? I’d appreciate your professional opinion on this.

Thank you

Filed under choosing used car - Asked by John Muldowney (Kilkenny) - Thu, 06 Jan 2022 18:57


Is a Citroen Ami ok without smartphone?

Is a smartphone necessary to drive a Citroen Ami?

Filed under choosing new car - Asked by KK Ho (Tseung Kwan O/ Hong Kong) - Sun, 19 Dec 2021 06:07


I am importing an EV from the North...

Hi,

I am looking at getting a new electric car, and availability/waiting time for the model I'm looking at seems better in the North than here, even if the price saving is limited, so I am looking at buying from a dealer in NI and importing the car.

I have two questions:

1. What's the current status of VRT on imported (pure) electric vehicles? Do I have to pay 7% of OMSP, is there a €5,000 discount, or what?

2. SEAI offers a €5,000 grant for new EVs. However this is applied for/paid out via the dealer (who has to be in the State), and this doesn't make sense to me - it's surely meant to incentivise putting new EVs on Irish roads, and provided I import the car properly, where I bought it from shouldn't matter. In other words, why can't I get that grant on my new EV even if the car is properly imported rather than bought in the State - isn't there a Single Market implication here?

Thanks!

Patrick

Filed under importing - Asked by Patrick Edmond (Limerick) - Thu, 11 Nov 2021 14:44