Will Budget 2021 impact costs of importing?
Hi,
Will the new budget impact on importing a car from the UK, i.e. extra VRT and NOx charge?
Thomas Rooney (Clane)Oct 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Thomas,
It certainly will.
The NOx levy calculation has been tweaked slightly, as detailed in our How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland? feature, with the €15 per mg rate starting earlier on.
The changes to the VRT bands will also likely have an effect, but the largest change is the 'uplifting' of the CO2 rating to WLTP-equivalent values.
For a petrol car, the new CO2 rating = (old NEDC rating x 0.9227) + 34.554g/km
For a diesel car, the new CO2 rating = (old NEDC rating x 1.1405) + 12.858g/km
This will significantly raise the CO2 rating, putting the imported cars into a higher VRT band, with likely much higher costs.
We did such a calculation for another reader here if you're interested: Should I register my imported Mercedes now?
Will it be cheaper to buy a VW Tiguan now?
We want to buy a new Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace as our family is growing in the New Year. Would it be cheaper to get one now or will we see much difference if we order one for January 2021?
Dorothy Humphreys (Athlone )Oct 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Dorothy,
It really depends on the specific version you are looking at. Some cars will go up in price, but conversely, some will drop in price. Come back to us with as much detail as possible on the specific model you are looking at so we can find its CO2 and NOx emissions ratings and do the calculations.
How to change reg from UK to Irish?
Hi,
I recently bought a car from the UK, through an auction and obviously the car reg isn't Irish, it's British; where do I start in changing the whole process of the reg?
Arunas Daniel (Cavan)Oct 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Arunas,
We're written a guide called Guide to importing cars from the UK to help people like you. You'll need to scroll down through half of it as you already have the car bought, but once you've read that, if you still have questions, feel free to come ask us for more assistance.
My Fiesta's stop-start won't work...
Hiya,
I own a Mark 7 Fiesta that comes with the stop-start button. As I was driving, the light came up saying that the stop-start has been turned off, and I am unable to put it back on again. The light is on and will not turn off. I have read up on possible fixes and attempted most but nothing has helped. I did not have heating or AC running, or lights on. Neither was I doing anything out of the normal. Do you know anything else that may cause this?
Ricky-Lee Morgan (Gloucestershire )Oct 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Ricky-Lee Morgan,
In the vast majority of cases this is down to either a battery that is not in perfect health or a dodgy sensor. See our feature Why won't my car's stop-start system work? and if that doesn't help then you will need to get the car plugged into a diagnostic computer by a mechanic.
Should I wait for the BMW 128ti?
Hi,
I have a question regarding the new BMW 128ti. Having recently ordered a BMW M Sport 118i auto, I am now in a quandary due to the announcement of the 128ti. I have spent a long time driving many cars and ended up making my decision to purchase the BMW 118i. Preferably the car would have had a little more performance (and economy for the level of performance), I waited around a year in the hope that a petrol 120i would become available (diesels are not an option for me), but nothing has yet been announced even though they exist in other markets.
Before placing my order I tried the M135i and, other than the raw power difference I far preferred the driver engagement of the 118i M Sport. I can only put this down to the 200kg or so weight difference? I live in a rural area and most of my driving is on small twisty, hilly lanes with some nice back roads, I rarely drive on main roads or motorways. So suspension compliance and driver engagement are important to me. My BMW dealer has immediately suggested I could change my order to the 128ti once it becomes possible, but it's early days with no hard facts on cost or a test drive available - I have already sold my car so it's a push bike and motorcycle only at the moment.
I would be very appreciative if you could spare some time to consider my position and would value your thoughts on the 128ti versus my ordered car. Having read your account of your experience with the 128ti, i thought you would be the best person to help.
Very best wishes
Tim
Tim Williams (Dartmouth)Oct 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Tim,
The 120i is due to come at the end this year, with 184hp and with the M Sport suspension should be a bit of fun to drive. However, I don’t think it will be as engaging as the 128ti. Not only will the 128ti still have a power advantage, I suspect there will be a noticeable difference in ride quality to what the 120i might offer. The 128ti has compliance in the suspension and involving steering that makes to a real joy to drive. More details for the car are due in the coming days, so take a closer look then and see if it helps make up your mind.
Any high-performance insurance specialists?
Hi,
I’m planning to buy a Jaguar F-Type R (5.0-litre V8) and shopping around for insurance. So far all insurers including my current insurer refused to quote me because of the engine size; is there any insurer out there that specialises in high performance cars?
Many thanks!
Dennis Sen (Dartmouth)Oct 2020 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Dennis,
There are a couple of high-performance car specialist insurers such as TopInsure and Martins Insurance, but you’re always going to pay big for a car such as that in Ireland, sadly. Always a good idea to track down a good broker, too, as they can sometimes get access to deals that mere mortals cannot.
My Jaguar XJ8's floor is getting wet...
I have a 2004 Jaguar XJ8; water is depositing on the floor on the passenger side; what could be the problem? No roof leak.
Reginald Davis (Houston Texas)Sep 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Reginald,
We don't know of a common issue on the XJ8, but on some cars this points to blocked rain channels, in the roof, windscreen or under the bonnet even.
Can you help me select my next car?
Hi there guys.
Can you help me with selecting my next car? Currently have a 161 BMW 420d Gran Coupe with 50k km on the clock (GB import bought from a main dealer in Dublin). Do 10k km per annum. City center living, on street parking. Very happy with the car - love the drive experience but now it’s a bit small in the back for toddler passenger and all our baggage etc. Looking to change in next couple of months, with a hybrid in mind.
Disappointing range of options though for any of the estate/MPV cars I fancy, e.g. BMW Touring or Volvo XC60. Looks are important but driving experience and space are key. As is easy parking into tight spaces! Did drive a Skoda Superb wagon recently and loved all the gadgets, but felt the ride was spongey. Budget is €45k including trade in/private sale. Open to going the import route again as choice and range much better for hybrids.
Any insight would be really appreciated.
Thanks.
Daragh O’Reilly (Dublin)Sep 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Daragh,
OK, with on-street parking, I’d recommend you steer well and truly clear of a plug-in hybrid for now. I’m in the same position and with the dearth of public chargers, it’s a real nightmare to get a charge into them and use them at their most efficient. Unless you feel happy using local public chargers, of course, but if you’re going to do that I’d make sure to do the literal legwork, and see how far they are from your home as you may sometimes have to leave the car charging and walk home. Not the most convenient.
If you’re looking at a hybrid, of course, that turns us instantly in the direction of Toyota. The Camry is a truly excellent car, but it’s a bit of a mobile sofa. If you thought that the Superb’s ride was a bit too soft, then I don’t think you’d be a candidate for a Camry. Possibly a Lexus, then? An ES 300h is basically a Camry in a smarter suit, but again it’s not the sharpest car to drive. An NX 300h SUV might be a good balance — roomy enough to be toddler-friendly, reasonably sharp to drive and a hybrid without a plug. The Toyota RAV4 is another good (even excellent) option, but again would perhaps be a bit too soggy at the controls for your taste.
There is a hybrid (as opposed to plug-in hybrid) Hyundai Tucson on the way soon, and we mean the incoming new version, which gets much more dramatic styling than that of the current car, and which will have suspension and steering fettled, in part, by Hyundai’s N-Sport division. Could be worth hanging on for that if you like the look of it.
Is pre-2008 tax for petrol and diesel different?
Hi.
Is there a difference in motor tax between petrol and diesel pre-2008 cars?
Dean Kinsella (Westport)Sep 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Dean,
Not specifically. Pre-2008 motor tax is calculated on engine capacity, so there’s no direct distinction between petrol or diesel engines.
What's my 2013 VW Scirocco worth?
Hi guys,
I want to sell my 2013 Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TSI GT DSG with 48,000 miles on the clock. Volkswagen offered me €10,500, but obviously it’s worth more than that to a private seller. Imported from UK and I need to sell for best price as the money will go towards my next car. I’m looking to find out how much it’s worth so I’m not under-selling - I’d rather overprice it. Ideally wouldn’t sell private as I’ve had a nightmare in the past with idiots trying to rip me off.
David Griffith (Dublin)Sep 2020 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi David,
A trade-in value of €10,500 doesn’t look too bad to us to be honest. Values for a 2013 Scirocco are going to be at about the €12-14,000 level, and they’re not the easiest cars to sell so the dealer is probably leaving themselves some headroom to allow for that. I wouldn’t price it at more than €14,500 privately.