Expert answer

Hi William,

Assuming we're talking about new cars or those that are less than six months old (and have less than 6,000km on the clock):

VAT qualifying cars are those that the UK vendor may sell on without charging for VAT to the following:

• a customer in a country outside the EU
• someone who isn't registered for VAT who will take a new car to another EU country
• a VAT-registered business in the EU

In your case, yes, you'd still have to pay Irish VAT and VRT.

Some light official reading for you around this subject that may explain more:

Revenue.ie: New vehicles purchased by a private individual from a VAT-registered person, including a motor dealer, in another country

HM Revenue & Customs: Sending your motor vehicle to another EU country from the UK

HM Revenue & Customs: Motor dealers and VAT: selling new or used vehicles and extras

Hope that answers your question

Expert answer

Hi Elaine,

Well first things first, the speedometer issue really isn't their problem - there are lot of imports coming in and not all have their speedos changed. Is this garage a Skoda dealer or an independent? If it is a Skoda main dealer then perhaps I would ask them to change it over as part of the deal.

Secondly, sales staff always use the cars on the forecourt. This has been going on for decades. In larger dealerships the staff will usually have their own company cars so this won't happen. I would be a little concerned that the service intervals haven't been adhered to and under no circumstance should you purchase the car until they service it for you.

The advice we would always give is that if you already have some niggling doubts, which you appear to have, then don't buy this car. In terms of the value of your car, take if that if you are getting €2,000 then you are really getting about €1,200, as, if you were a cash buyer (with no trade-in) then you would be expecting to get up to €1,000 off the price of the car anyway.

Come back to us if you need anything else.

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

We really rate the VW Group's new 1.6-litre TDI engine. It's quiet, refined and great on fuel. However, while it's relatively torquey, it does feel a little short on power when it's lumbered with a lot of weight to carry around. You're in a good position being able to afford either engine. We'd definitely recommend you go for the 2.0-litre TDI Passat in this case. It's a great car and has plenty of power to carry around the family.

If you need any further help, please do get in touch.

Expert answer

Hi Martina, 

My feeling is that you will be offered between €10,000 - €11,000 for your Auris against either of these new cars and it's likely that your Lexus dealer will offer you the better deal. The Audi A3 is nearing the end of its life cycle, and while I like it a lot, it is due to be replaced so that will mean its value will reduce. The Lexus is really well priced and comes well equipped, but the ride quality is a little patchy at times. The S Design grade has 16-inch alloys so they aren't even the largest alloy wheel available. The car is great value though.

By the sounds of things you want something that is frugal, looks good and is upmarket. To be honest, I would probably have a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI DSG Edition-R, which has all the toys on it, looks awesome and has just been released on to the market. This costs €26,425. 

Alternatively, you could get a good deal on a BMW 1 Series, which is about to be replaced. Let us know if this helps, but I'd choose the Golf, then the Lexus, then the A3. 

Expert answer

Hi Susan,

The variable dampers are a nice extra, but I would not say that they are necessary. We have used it in test cars for short periods and you invariably end up leaving it on the normal set-up. Unless you drive on really poor road surfaces or intend to drive the car on a race track then the normal setting is fine.

You won't get the extra money back in a few years when you trade it in again, so I would keep my €1,500 or else use it to get really nice leather upholstery.

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

Out of the three cars here, by far the best value under scrappage is the Hyundai i30. You could have a petrol model for as little as €13,995. The diesel is €15,495, which is quite a bit more. If your annual mileage is small then you should perhaps save some money and buy the petrol model. I know everyone buys diesel cars these days but the petrol alternative will only cost you €52 more than the diesel each year to tax and if your mileage is low then you wouldn't see much of a saving on fuel in the diesel car anyway.

The Peugeot 308 is comfortable and good on fuel.

If you are planning on changing the new car quite soon, then the Focus will be worth the most money as a trade-in, but I think the Hyundai would be the best buy in this case for you.

I hope this helps.

Expert answer

Hi Frank,

That is a  very good question. Vauxhall was a separate company for a long time in the UK and even up until the 1970s there were often quite different cars offered. Since then though the product range has been pretty identical, but the cars continue to be Vauxhall in the UK as buyers there still identify the brand as being British. Some cars are still made in England but now a large portion of its cars are made in Germany, Spain and Poland. The UK market is so large though that it can justify its own badge. How long this will continue in the future is a matter for debate, but there would probably be resistance in the UK to a move to an Opel badge.

Expert answer

Hi Rob,

I can't be certain, but I would reckon Annesley Motors would be your best bet because they did retail Smart at one stage so they would probably have expertise in the cars. Alternatively, there is a Smart dealer in Belfast, Isaac Agnew so they would be definitely very good. I will check around and see if there are more

I hope this helps

Expert answer

Hi Frank,

To be fair to the dealers in a lot of cases it is not the dealers fault as they will have sold the car and notified the classifieds website to let them know the car is sold and it doesn't get done. Other times, the dealers do this because it looks good for them if it appears that cars are flying out of the showroom. I agree though, it sure is annoying.

Expert answer

Hi Laura,

I reckon the Fiat Sedici would be perfect. It is a small car with good fuel economy (from a diesel) that also happenes to come with four-wheel drive, which would make towing really easy. We found one that is within your budget and I reckon it would be a super little car for you.

Hope that helps