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Hi Jane,

Good news, it looks like that should fit in. I didn't have a tape measure with me when driving the car, but I used the measure function of an iPhone and the distance came in at a little more than two metres, so even if that's not very accurate, you should have plenty to spare. 

And yes, the seat backs all fold down flat. Works well.

Read our full review of the Hyundai Inster here

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Hi Michael,

So long as the BMW was imported into Northern Ireland properly and used there by a private individual before you import it south, then you should only be liable for the VRT and NOx levy. But you will need the paperwork to prove all of that. 

Read our Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland#mce_temp_url# for more details

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Hi Adrian,

There is VRT relief on first registration of an electric car in Ireland, which effectively means no VRT for most imports such as that Tesla.

VRT would be payable on importing a Skoda PHEV, though as the CO₂ emissions rating is so low for those, the VRT would be relatively low as well - likely to be just seven per cent of the OMSP (the Open Market Selling Price as determined by Revenue).

Regardless of what powers the car you import from the North, VAT and customs duty liability depends only on whether the car was imported into the North properly and used there by a private individual for a “reasonable amount of time” - generally accepted to be three months.

I suggest you read our Guide to Importing a Car from Northern Ireland feature to gain more understanding.

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Hi Dean,

I'll address your questions in reverse order.

It may be possible to make savings if a dealer brings a car in for you, but we've never been through the process so couldn't say for sure. They obviously will still want to make a profit out of the sale, so I suspect most will be reticent to get involved in sourcing a specific car in the way you’re describing. If you know one personally, it’s worth having a conversation about it of course.

If you go it alone, sourcing a car from Northern Ireland should work out cheaper than from England, Scotland or Wales if the car has actually been registered there and then used by a private individual for “a reasonable period of time”. Those are Revenue’s words and it’s widely accepted that three months minimum is acceptable. The car in question should therefore be free of any VAT or customs duty on import to the south.

No matter where you import the car from, you will be liable for VRT and the NOx levy, depending on how much NOx and CO₂ the car emits according to its official numbers. I suggest you read our How Much VRT Is Paid In Ireland? feature to gain a full understanding of that.

According to our records, the BMW described should have a CO₂ rating of 119g/km, putting it into Band 10 for VRT, at a rate of 16 per cent. Just to confuse things, Revenue calculates VRT based on what it calls the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP). This is not what you actually paid for the car, but the value Revenue reckons it is worth on the Irish market. It’s difficult to predict as it’s not confirmed until you bring the car for inspection on arrival in Ireland, and extra equipment etc. can raise the price. Our guess for that BMW would be €28,000, meaning a VRT bill of €4,480.

According to our records, the BMW described should have a NOx output of 38mg/km, meaning a NOx levy of €190.

The equivalent data for the Audi shows a CO₂ rating of 135g/km, meaning Band 13 for VRT at 19.25 per cent of the OMSP. If that’s €28,000 again (and always bear in mind Revenue may say it’s higher), then the VRT bill would be €5,390.

The Audi’s NOx rating is 45mg/km, meaning a NOx levy of €275.

Finally, if you import a car from outside the “customs union” - e.g. England, Scotland or Wales - it will be subject to VAT at 23 per cent and import duty of 10 per cent. Those are calculated using the price you actually paid for the car, plus transport costs.

Hopefully that has helped you understand a little more.

I’d also recommend you read our Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland feature for more on that.

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Hi Mary,

The MG is undoubtedly more powerful, as the numbers suggest, but the Mazda doesn't feel appreciably slower at all, and the Mazda is nicer to drive both in town and out of it. The MG is a little 'softer' on the road perhaps, meaning it's a fraction more comfortable over bumps, but there's not much in it.

Overall I prefer how the Mazda drives and it feels like a higher-quality product. The MG hits back with its low price and it's also a little more spacious.

They're both very economical cars with little to separate them in that way.

I highly recommend you drive both for yourself before deciding. 

Read our Mazda2 Hybrid review

Read our MG3 Hybrid+ review

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Hi Ankit,

Let's go through your list for a start:

Suzuki Swift: Even the top-spec model with loads of options comes in under budget, has adaptive cruise control and can be had with an automatic gearbox. Easy to drive, well-specified, should be reliable, though doesn't feel as substantial as some of the other cars listed. Read our Suzuki Swift reviews here.

Volkswagen Polo: Only the Style and R-Line versions come with adaptive cruise control, but those are slightly out of budget if fitted with the DSG automatic gearbox so unless you stretch the budget this isn't an option. That's a shame as it's probably the best car in this list all things considered. Read our Volkswagen Polo reviews here.

Toyota Yaris: The 1.5-litre hybrid is an automatic by default, and as you've identified, the Luna comes with adaptive cruise control. It's the only version in the Yaris lineup within budget with those items and it's an excellent car. The rear seats aren't huge, but the fronts are fine, it drives fantastically, should be very reliable and the hybrid system is efficient and good to drive. Quite likely the pick of the cars here all things considered. Read our Toyota Yaris reviews here.

Dacia Sandero Stepway: An automatic gearbox is available, and even the most expensive version is well within budget, but this car can't be had with adaptive cruise control - only the non-adaptive type is fitted. Otherwise, it's a spacious and well-equipped car for the money. Read our Dacia Sandero reviews here.

MG3: All versions are automatic and come with adaptive cruise control, so those boxes are ticked. And even the most expensive version is within budget so it's a realistic possibility. It's the most powerful car here, which is probably not important, but it's quite efficient as well. The Yaris is a more polished product, but the MG has a little more space. Read our MG3 reviews here.

Hopefully that's all of help. I'd strongly recommend you and your wife go check out a shortlist of cars in person and test drive them to see which you prefer, as it will come down to personal preference.

Let us know which you go for.

Expert answer

Hi Ciara,

We're in the same situation (without the pooch, sadly) so I understand your needs for sure. There are no electric Skoda estates as yet (at least one is on the way in the next few years, but that'll be too late for you), but there have been plug-in hybrid options. Not sure if you're buying new or used, but the current Superb Combi can be had new as a plug-in hybrid and it's an exceptional car. You'll find some of the previous-gen on the used market as well.

Other fully electric estate options include the MG5, but come back to us with your budget and new/used preference if you want us to help you narrow your search.

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Hi Paul,

I asked Dave and Neil on the team to answer this as well as myself so you get a cross-section of opinion. Here's what Neil said: "There’s no point in going for the Audi over the Golf. Sure, it has more power and 4WD but it’s no more fun to drive, and will be more expensive to run. The GTI is the better of those two. However, the M340i — Touring especially — is one of the best BMWs that has ever been made, and I reckon if you have the chance to own one, you should take it. "

Dave was in agreement: "I’m with Neil on this one, the move to the Audi or the Golf 8.5 R from the Golf 7.5 isn’t going to deliver as much overall fun, even if the performance figures increase. The BMW is not only a lovely thing, but it’s a different style and should be much sweeter overall. "

I have to admit, I'd agree with them both. The S3 is good, but very subtle, perhaps too subtle? The 8.5 GTI is notably changed from the 7.5 (I'm the only one of us that has driven it so far and it's a cracker), but even so, I'd find it difficult to ignore the allure of the BMW's six-cylinder engine and rear-lead chassis balance.

Do let us know which way you go on this.

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Hi Liam,

Our understanding is that the car needs to be in private use too. Read our Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland for more, though this excerpt, a quote from Revenue, might be of interest:

"Revenue will consider that a vehicle has been imported to NI in accordance with the Windsor Framework where a copy of the import declaration lodged in NI, or proof that the vehicle has been in private use in NI for a reasonable period of time, is provided as part of the VRT process. What is considered to be a reasonable period of time, for the purposes of private use, depends on the facts and circumstances of each case."

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Hi Martin,

Nothing more since our news story last September (read that here) where it was noted it wouldn't arrive until early next year.