How do I apply for car scrappage?
How do I apply for car scrappage?
Chloe Coyle (Mountrath)Jan 2021 Filed under: scrappage
Expert answer
Hi Chloe,
Well, you don’t apply for it as such — car importers and dealers offer some discounts and trade-in boosters that are called ‘scrappage’ but which are only occasionally about properly taking old cars off the road. Really, they’re more about giving those drivers with older cars, who would be more likely to buy second hand, a small leg-up on their trade-in so as to bring them to the new car side of the showroom. Incidentally, not all brands offer ‘scrappage’ deals and not all offer them at the same time. The last time there was an official Government-backed scrappage scheme was in 2010.
Do we pay VAT on UK-imported cars now?
If I import a second hand UK car (from England, Scotland or Wales) into the Republic of Ireland from 2021 on, am I liable to pay VAT and/or an import charge on top of the current VRT and NOx charge?
Keiron Fletcher (Meath)Jan 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Keiron,
Yes, there’s been a bit of a shake-up in imports from the UK, post Jan 1st (which kind of got lost in all the COVID and Trump headlines). According to Revenue, if you’re importing a car from the UK, you will now have to complete an electronic customs declaration form BEFORE going to collect the vehicle (you can find them here) and you’ll then be liable for three potential costs — customs duty, VRT (as before, including the NOx charge) and VAT, currently at 21 per cent. That VAT charge, previously only applied to vehicles that were either new or less than six months old (or with fewer than 6,000km on the clock) now applies to all imports.
Except it doesn’t — if you import a car from Northern Ireland, thanks to NI’s new special status as per the Brexit withdrawal agreement, then the VAT will only be charged on new vehicles, and you won’t have to pay any customs duty (sometimes referred to as import duty).
Incidentally, that customs duty (which is charged at 10 per cent of the total value of the car, plus carriage costs) will NOT be applied if the car was built in the UK, or in an EU country. That’s a potential minefield as you’d be surprised how many cars that you assume to be British or European are actually made in, say, South Africa or the US. It obviously affects Japanese and Korean-built cars, but again, you’d be surprised how many of those that we buy are actually built in the UK, France, Slovakia or elsewhere in Europe.
I'm about to buy my first car...
I have €1,300 saved for a first car. Preferably looking for a Polo or Golf with a smaller engine but anything will do. What kind of insurance would I be looking at for a young driver on something like that?
Bevan Gillmor (Mullingar)Jan 2021 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Bevan,
Sadly, insurance is the critical thing here, and it’s the bit we can help you with least as Irish insurers — as ever — ladle on the risk when it comes to young drivers. Any ballpark figure we give you could be €1,000 — or more — out.
Should I stick with BMW diesel for now?
I drive 65,000km a year, mostly to Dublin, Cork and Galway and Dublin Airport. I have owned four 520d M Sports and on average get 40mpg. I am changing again and very interested in hybrid and considering a 530e M Sport with 26,000km on it. I change the car about every 15 months as I do high mileage and would like to go greener but running costs are my main concern. Currently I get the VAT back on diesel as I am VAT registered. I'm conscious that we will eventually have to go this way and wondering should I make that move now. What do you think?
Howard Simpson (Ballymoe)Dec 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Howard,
If I were you, I'd stick with diesel for now. Assuming that, with such high mileage, you won't have time to plug the car in to charge it up regularly, the 530e won't get near the 520d's average economy. Once the battery charge is used up, you're effectively driving a heavy petrol car. The fact you're VAT-registered and can claim back the VAT on the diesel is another reason to stick with it for now.
Yes, electrification is coming to all cars, but we don't believe it suits all motorists just yet. The beauty of you changing your car every 15 months is that you can react quite quickly to changes in taxation and new model launches.
Will my BMW 220i's tax change in 2021?
Hi,
I'm considering buying a car in the UK. It is a BMW 220i and has a 1,998cc engine. I would hope to have it registered in Ireland before the end of Dec 2020. I understand that the motor tax on higher-emitting engines is going to change from 2021, but is it likely that the tax on this car would be increased greatly?
Thank you for your assistance.
Mary
Mary Newe (Dublin)Dec 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
If you do manage to get it registered before the end of this month (if you've not already got a VRT appointment, I'm afraid to tell you that you are unlikely to now) then your car will be taxed on its NEDC CO2 rating, which I believe is 127g/km. That means €270 per annum now and no change for 2021. These guides might be of interest:
When is the updated Kia Picanto here?
When is the updated Kia Picanto going on sale in Ireland?
Colum Madden (Galway)Dec 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Colum,
The facelifted Picanto is the one Kia Ireland is now marketing and pricing on its website. We spoke to our contact there and he confirmed that cars are already arriving into Ireland now and your local dealer should be able to talk to you about pricing and availability.
I have €4,000 to buy my first car...
Hi,
I'm a student from Dublin looking to buy my first car. Budget is small, around €4,000. Obviously a small engine will be cheaper insurance-wise and grand for driving in Dublin, but I would be driving to Ennis and back once or twice a month (500km ish). Is a 1.0-litre too small,? Should iIlook for something bigger?
Mark Boyle (Galway)Dec 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
OK, we’ve found a few cars that meet both your budget and your small engine requirement, and can pretty easily handle the hack to Ennis and back.
All small car searches should start with a Fiat 500 — looks cool, is fun to drive, costs buttons to run and no they’re not unreliable.
Want something a bit more conventional? You should be able to track down a 2009-ish Ford Fiesta with the 1.25 engine. Terrific all-rounder.
If you want something cheaper to run, there’s the Kia Picanto (circa 2010), which has a peppy enough 1.0 to be able to cope with the Ennis run.
Or finally a Toyota Yaris, with that brilliant 1.0 VVTi engine, would make a hugely sensible choice, but you’ll have to go for an older one to stay on budget — 2008 or thereabouts.
Thoughts on this Volvo V60 deal?
Hi there,
I have a 2014 Volvo v60 R-Design D3 with 124,555 miles on the clock and I've seen an ex-demo Volvo V60 R-Design D3. I got talking to the sales man and here is what he emailed me:
"Hi Pauric,
As promised, see below figures for demo model V60 R-Design. This car is €7k less compared to new so a very good saving and no mileage on the car. Retail price €46,500. Trade Nov 2020 €12,250. Cost before settlement €34,250. Settlement €9,871.91, valid until 30.11.20 with €4,400 down payment."
Is this a deal if a lifetime? Or should I walk away?
Pauric Mc Ginley (Killybegs)Nov 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Pauric,
Not sure about ‘deal of a lifetime’ but it certainly sounds pretty solid from what you’ve told us. Obviously, be careful to read the fine print of any deal regarding monthly payments and so on, and to make sure that you’re happy with the terms and conditions, whether it’s a PCP deal or Hire Purchase. The V60 is definitely one of our favourite cars, and the D3 diesel is ideal if you’re doing high regular mileage (which from the sounds of the car you’re trading in, you do).
Just remember that, being an ex-demo, you’re going to be the second name on the logbook not the first, so come resale time that will have a small effect on the trade-in value, although if you keep it for long enough that will be negligible.
Why do I pay €385 on tax for my Peugeot?
Good morning,
Just wondering why I pay €385 a year for my 2006 Peugeot diesel 1.4 that was registered in the Republic about six years ago? CO2 emissions are 120g/km. So according to your chart it should be €200.
Thanks in advance!
Regards, Kinga
Kinga Sisa (Dungarvan)Nov 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Kinga,
Though you imported the car only six years ago, it was first registered in 2006, so its taxation is based on its engine capacity for pre-2008 cars.
I want to move home with two vehicles.
I'm planning to return to Ireland from overseas in 2022 with a 2020 Amarok V6 and 2016 Land Rover Discovery SDV6. Both will have been owned longer than six months with paperwork to prove if required. What can I expect to pay?
John Ryan (Dungarvan)Nov 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi John,
You should have no VRT to pay as you will have owned the vehicles already for for than six months. There will be small re-registration fees, that's all. Have a read of these for more information: