VRT estimate on a 2013 Mercedes CL 500?
Looking for VRT estimate on a 2013 Mercedes CL 500 4.6-litre V8 bi-turbo with 105k miles on the clock.
Thanks
Mark Butler (Galway)Jan 2025 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
As I’m sure you realise, we can only guess at the OMSP (Open Market Selling Price) that Revenue will place on such a rare car. And the VRT calculation hinges on that. Let’s say it’s €25,000, and that its CO2 emissions put it into the top VRT band at 41 per cent. That would mean a VRT bill of €10,250.
Don’t forget about the NOx levy on top of that, which is likely to be the top €600 limit for petrol cars, and of course import duty and VAT if the car is coming from England, Scotland or Wales.
Volvo EX40 or BYD Sealion 7?
I'm looking at the Volvo EX40 twin motor top spec at the moment. How would the Sealion 7 compare in terms of build and ride quality, refinement etc?
June Coates (Arklow)Jan 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi June,
The first thing to note would be the size difference between these two cars. The BYD is larger overall and that’s felt inside too.
In terms of build quality, the Volvo feels more solid inside and out, though its cabin layout is more dated than the BYD's and has a smaller display. It’s also worth looking at the equipment levels of both cars, as the BYD comes with a lot of standard spec.
With regard to ride quality the Volvo is the more polished of the two, with a nicely sorted suspension setup and better one-pedal driving feel. The BYD has more performance, and has higher peak DC-charging speeds.
Looking to buy a used Lexus LC V8...
If you cannot afford a new Lexus LC V8, what age represents the best value and least depreciation, as it gets older?
Tom Castles (Athboy)Jan 2025 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
Generally speaking, three to four years old is a sweet spot for cars such as that where a big chunk of the depreciation is already done, but the car is still modern enough and in good enough condition to enjoy. Balanced against all of that, of course, is the challenge in finding one, as the Lexus LC is vanishingly rare.
How much is my Toyota Yaris worth?
Hi!
I have a 2002 Toyota Yaris VVT-i, mileage of 155,996 miles. I’m from Ireland. How much will a dealer will give me if I sell it?
Sonia Lopes (Cork)Jan 2025 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Sonia,
I assume you mean as a trade-in, as most dealers wouldn’t be interested in buying cars such as this unless a car is also being sold. You’re not likely to be offered as much as €1,000 as a trade-in, though you may find a private seller willing to buy it for a little more.
Has the Dacia Bigster grab handles?
Has the Dacia Bigster got hand grab rails in the roof?
Andrew Merrill (Uk)Jan 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Andrew,
The cars we've seen so far do not have those.
Worth importing a Passat estate from the UK?
Hi,
I'm looking to change from my 2011 VW Passat Saloon 1.4 petrol. This has been a great car for me and I’m looking to change to a 2022/2023 VW Passat Estate - 1.5 petrol. These are thin on the ground here and as they aren't sold here anymore this will become even more so. There are plenty around in the UK but I’m wondering if there are still the same savings to be made when importing from the UK as there once was?
Brendan Cullen (Dublin)Jan 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
The savings are not what they were, and effectively non-existent if you're talking about England, Scotland or Wales. The only realistic option is to look to Northern Ireland as most cars won't be subject to VAT and import duty, just VRT and the NOx levy. Read more below:
Where to get Japanese car CO2 and NOx emissions?
Hi,
I'm looking to see where exactly I can get the NOx and CO2 emissions data on the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism website. I’ve looked on the site for hours and cannot find anything.
Martin (Carlow)Jan 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
If you go to https://www.mlit.go.jp/jidosha/jidosha_fr10_000019.html (and use a browser that will automatically translate it from Japanese to English for you) you can scroll down to item 6 and get Excel files full of information for loads of JDM cars. Those hold engine codes, etc, fuel consumption and CO2 data, but not NOx information that we can see unfortunately.
I want to import a MINI Clubman from the North.
I would like to buy a MINI Clubman (2019-2020) in Northern Ireland. What would the costs be when importing it to the Republic?
Bernadette (Dublin)Jan 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Bernadette,
Assuming the car has already been imported into Northern Ireland and registered there, and used by a private individual, then you should only be liable for VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax). This is calculated using the VRT band and something called the OMSP.
The latter - Open Market Selling Price - is the value Revenue in Ireland believes the car to be worth following registration here, and that doesn’t always correlate with the price you actually pay for the car in the North. It varies by year, condition and even the equipment fitted, and it is determined only after you import the car and present it for inspection at an NCT centre. You can estimate what it might be by looking at other similar cars for sale in classifieds, and we’d be happy to help you with that if you give us full details of the car in question.
The VRT band is determined by the car’s official CO2 emissions rating and again, we can’t tell you that without knowing the full details of the car, especially regarding its engine.
Take a read of our guides on the subject and if you need more assistance, don’t hesitate to post another question. The more specific you are on the car, the more help we will be.
Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland
Volvo XC60 or Audi Q5 for reliability and economy?
Hi,
I am researching 2020-2024 Audi Q5 TDI and Volvo XC60 for towing a horsebox and long commutes. Which SUV is more reliable and cheaper for servicing, mpg, etc?
Thanks.
Sarah Fanning (Carlow)Jan 2025 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
Hi Sarah,
In terms of long commutes, and assuming you are sticking with the regular 2.0-litre diesel options, then our experience suggests that the Audi is more efficient - with the caveat that how you drive has a large influence on that. Overall, the Audi should prove fractionally cheaper to service and maintain, too.
Comparing the reliability between the two is less clearcut and the newer versions you can afford the better. Both cars are mechanically sound and most issues come from electronics etc. They’re comparable in short.
Is VRT higher on an Audi TT Roadster?
Hi,
I'm thinking of importing a convertible car (2017 Audi TT 1.8 petrol cabriolet) from Northern Ireland and put the details into the VRT calculator. However, the calculator only gives the choice of three 1.8 petrol models, all of which are coupes, not convertibles. Is VRT higher for a convertible car?
Thanks
Simon (Westmeath)Jan 2025 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Simon,
VRT might be a little higher, but it shouldn't be much more. It's nothing to do with the body style directly, though; it comes down to the VRT band, which is determined by the official CO2 rating (which can be a little higher in open-topped cars as they're generally a little heavier and less aerodynamic than their coupe equivalents) and what Revenue calls the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP). The latter may be a little higher for the TT Roadster, but there really shouldn’t be a lot in it.