How do I bring a car in from the North?
I reside in Ireland. If I buy a car with Nothern Ireland registation, what do I have to do to change it to Irish and how much would it cost me?
Olga Kulikova (Waterford)Mar 2013 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Olga,
How much it will cost you will depend on the car. To re-register a car in the Republic of Ireland, you have seven days from the point of arrival in the country to book an inspection with your local NCT centre. At that point, it will be inspected by the Revenue Commissioners to determine its Open Market Selling Price (OMSP), which is the price they think you would have paid, had you bought an identical car in Ireland.
That figure, and the car’s CO2 emissions rating, will determine the amount of Vehicle Registration Tax, or VRT, you will have to pay to complete the process. From the point of entry of the car into the country, you have a maximum 30 days to complete that process.
You can find much more detail here from the Citizens Information Board
Or read our guide, 'How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland'
How to work out a 2009 SUV's tax?
Where can I find out the current tax rate on a 2009 SUV? All I can find is the band rates, but how do I find out what rate the car is to begin with? Found two websites and two different rates for the same car. Plus dealer told me another rate...
Grainne Flynn (Waterford)Mar 2013 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Grainne,
Well, if you could tell us the exact make and model you’re looking at, we can tell you. All motor tax rates since 2008 are calculated on the CO2 emissions of the car (unless it’s a commercial version) and that can be affected by everything from the engine to the gearbox to items of trim and equipment. The more detail you can give us, the more precise an answer we can give. For reference, read our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained guide.
Petrol Ford Focus or Opel Astra?
Can you compare the Ford Focus EcoBoost Titanium against the Opel Astra 1.4 Elite?
Paul Cleary (Dublin)Nov 2012 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
Do you mean the EcoBoost engine, versus the Astra’s 1.4 Turbo? It’s a very close match, especially if you’re looking at the current models. The Astra is exceptionally good to drive, and that 1.4 Turbo is a good engine too. The Focus’ EcoBoost three-cylinder engine is, theoretically, more economical, but it depends very much on how you drive it. The Focus’ chassis and steering responses are better than those of the Astra, but then the Astra has the nicer interior. Depends where you priorities lie, really...
Thoughts on the Skoda Rapid?
I just wanted to know your opinions on the Skoda Rapid. I would be interested in the base model in either diesel or petrol. Which engine is better for about 30,000km per annum? Is this car very similar to the VW Jetta or SEAT Toledo?
Thanks
David Clarke (Dublin)Oct 2012 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi David,
The SEAT Toledo and Skoda Rapid are basically the same car, but with different badges. There’s no close relationship to the Jetta (other than minor systems and bits and pieces under the skin). Actually, the underpinnings are a combination of old Golf and old Polo bits, mixed and matched together. They’re decent cars — reliable and roomy — but not the most sophisticated. You’ll have to put up with a narrow cabin, slightly crude rear suspension and a fair bit of noise inside. If you’re doing 30k a year, you’re probably best off with the 1.6 TDI diesel. You should easily squeeze 55mpg out of that.
Is that a fair price for my Honda CR-V?
Hello I need some advice please. I have a 2004 honda CR-V with 119,000 miles on the clock. I have been offered €4,000 for it and I would like to know if you think this is the best price I can hope for. Thanks.
Sheila Conway (Cork)Oct 2011 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi there Sheila,
If it is against a new or reasonably recent used car then it really isn't that generous. Presuming that it is in decent condition you could push for about €500 more, but as we always say here on CompleteCar.ie, don't look at how much you are getting for your car, but rather the 'cost to change' as this allows you to shop around with more clarity. You could try and sell your car privately. The cheapest one I have seen for sale privately is asking €5,250, so you could try that price and if you got €4,500 you would still be quids in! I hope that helps Sheila.
What car to replace my reliable Volvo?
Hi folks,
I drive 500 miles a week at my own expense to and from work on the N24 - one of the worst national routes in the country. My 2001 Volvo S60 2 litre Turbo (Petrol) has been mostly a great servant and now has almost 240,000 miles on the clock. The running costs have become a bit tasty in recent times. I have a budget of around €15,000 to replace it with a second hand motor. I'll consider most any marque of car. Running costs, reliability and safety are my most important considerations. Any chance of a few suggestions?
Noel Carroll (Tipperary)Sep 2011 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Noel,
You obviously spend a lot of time in your car on a very bad road so the Volvo would probably have been ideal for you. In that case I am recommending that you get something with super comfy suspension and super comfy seats. You have probably extracted all of the value from your Volvo, so you can't really expect to be offered much more than a token gesture of up to €1,000 for that car, but I imagine that you know this.
So, with your budget of €15,000 then what should you buy? I would imagine that you keep your cars for a long time so future depreciate probably isn't a major factor for you, but you say that running costs are.
The first car I have picked is a Saab 9-5. Saab are in a little bit of trouble, but their cars are so comfortable, with great seats. This one has a diesel engine and will be cheap to run. It would be a great car to own long term and is well under your budget.
We really like the Mazda6 here at CompleteCar.ie and here is a nice one with a diesel engine and low mileage. This is a great car for mega mileage and would be super for your needs.
Another brilliant choice would be the Skoda Superb which is massive, comfy and really well built. This one has low mileage, the right engine and is great value. It is amazing value at under €13,000. I think I would buy this to be honest.
I hope this helps!
What car to replace my 5 Series?
Hi guys. Might be a tricky one as its really a matter of opinion but i'm trying to replace a money pit '01 BMW 5 Series with something a little cheaper to run.
I've about 8 to 9k to spend on something in the Mondeo/407/Passat region. Has to be Diesel. I'm not too pushed about mileage as age is more of a concern reliability wise. Obviously very little compares to my current motor for comfort and build quiality but any major flaws you know of with cars that class would make the decision a bit easier.
For instance i've heard the Passat has major issues with it's electronic handbrake, A/C, and electrics and the Rover 75 may be tricky for parts. Obviously any recomendations would be personal taste but i'm stumped so any help would be much appreciated. My only absolute no is the Vecta. Been there. No interest in going back. All suggestions greatly appreciated.
Gar O'Neill
Gareth O'Neill (Drogheda)Aug 2011 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Gar,
We are never short on opinion here at CompleteCar.ie Gar, so you have come to the right place. Coming out of your 5 Series you are going to have to buy something that is vaguely interesting or you are going to really hate whatever you buy. Given that you are concerned about reliability you are right to express some concerns about the Passat. Unfortunately there have been quite a few issues with the last model Passat and it would probably stop me buying one second hand, even though it is usually the default choice. I'm not sure why you mentioned the Rover 75, but lets pretend that you didn't.
If I was buying something with €8,000 - €9,000 I think it would probably be a Mazda6 Diesel. I really like them and they age really nicely.
You would have to check the DPF is ok, but otherwise they are a cracking good car.
Which new small car would suit me best?
I am trying to decide what small car is best for me to buy. I currently own a 2007 Nissan Micra and I like the look of the new model. It has more rear passenger room and boot space as well as Bluetooth. I have also read a review stating that the Hyundai i10 is better overall. I think the i10 is bit small space wise and think the i20 would be better. However I heard Hyundais are not reliable. I disliked driving the new Opel Corsa. The Volkswagen Golf/Polo and Toyota Auris are also too expensive for me.
What do you recommend?
Jacqueline Lynch (Dublin)Jun 2011 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jacqueline,
There are a lot of questions there. Let's go through them. The Hyundai i10 is indeed better than the new Nissan Micra, but the latter comes with lots of equipment as standard and you will probably get the best price for your own Micra from a Nissan dealer. Hyundais are reliable - very reliable in fact. The i20 would definitely offer more space than the i10 though it costs €2,000 more.
I think you should try a Mazda2, which is a car we really rate here on CompleteCar.ie. Otherwise, the Hyundai i20 could make an ideal purchase.
I hope this helps and let us know how you get on.
Should I choose petrol or diesel?
Hi guys,
My question has two parts. Firstly I am changing car and always drove a diesel but am wondering about improved economy of modern petrol engines, e.g. VW Jetta 1.4 TSI vs. VW Jetta TDI. Maybe you can advise what criteria I should consider?
Also, as my mileage is difficult to predict, I am concerned that if I am not doing enough miles I will have problems with the particulate filter on a diesel. What do you think?
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
Diesel cars are now outselling petrol cars by 3 to 1 and of the petrol models that are selling, they are mainly small runabouts. The fact is that the majority of people are being drawn to the lowest possible road tax and in some cases, oddly, this means that they are actually spending more on the car then they really should have. There seems little sense to spend €2,000 - €3,000 more on a diesel car if you are saving €50 a year in road tax and your mileage is low, but that is the way it seems to be happening right now.
The problem with this is that buyers are missing out on on some really good petrol cars. Fiat and Volkswagen in particular have some smart new petrol engines. Take for example the Jetta, which you mentioned: the new one is out now, but in the older model there was a 105hp 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine and most people baulked at this because they thought it would be too weedy for the car. The same is true of the 1.4-litre TSI, while both are more than capable of adequate performance.
In terms of fuel economy, sure enough the diesel will usually trump the petrol, but this will only really start to make monetary sense when you do a lot of mileage. It you intend on high mileage, then you are probably better off sticking with the diesel car - Volkswagens are generally quite good at mega mileage, as are Skodas.
We've been getting quite a few queries about DPFs (diesel particulate filters) here in CompleteCar.ie but Mazda appears to be the only brand showing up faults. The Passat though has not been without its troubles and, to be honest, I am not sure if I would be buying a used one with a lot of kilometres on the clock if big mileage is likely.
You mentioned the Jetta, well this one we found would be a top buy. It has just 14,000 miles on the clock, the right 2.0-litre diesel engine and is within your budget. This would be a good buy.
Should I buy a standard auto or a DSG?
My wife has to change to an automatic but we dont know whether the basic automatic or the dual manual and auto is the best. Sometimes our daughter who drives manual would use my wife's car . I feel, rightly or wrongly , that the less complicated the transmission is the less can go wrong. We would love you expert opinion. Thank you.
Frank D (Dublin)May 2011 Filed under: gearbox
Expert answer
Hi Frank
The dual manual you refer to is I am guessing a DSG or double-clutch gearbox and we are certainly fans of them here at CompleteCar.ie. They have been around for quite some time now and therefore most of the major problems appear to have been ironed out. They offer a smoother auto change than a standard automatic transmission, plus they will behave like a manual (without the clutch obviously) if you want them to.