Expert answer

Hi Frank,

No, I'm afraid not. The MG S5 EV cannot be had with a heat pump. 

Expert answer

Hi Teresa,

I'm afraid there's no definitive answer to that as every engine is so different. There's generally less to go wrong on a non-turbocharged engine, but they're usually less efficient and less powerful as well. 

Feel free to come back to us with your detailed requirements and we can try to help you narrow down your search. Tell us your budget, your annual mileage and how many people you have to carry regularly. Also any preferences you may have.

Expert answer

Hi Sharon,

The Elroq is nicer to drive, though the Atto 3 is noticeably faster and more responsive than the entry-level '50' model as it has a more powerful electric motor. The BYD also gets a bigger battery and longer range, but I suspect that isn't such an issue given your short commute.

I prefer the interior, style and quality of the Elroq, and it has a larger boot.

For my money, it would be the Skoda, though as ever we'd urge you to go test drive both to see which you prefer.

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Hi Brian,

There is no stipulation that the vehicle must have been privately owned, but it must have been owned and used by someone/a company registered in Northern Ireland for “a reasonable amount of time” (according to Revenue) – and you'll have to prove that if you wish to avoid paying customs duty or VAT.

No matter what, of course, you will still be liable for VRT.

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Hi Marco,

Revenue says that it treats every car individually depending on circumstances, but our feeling is that there would be no customs duties or VAT payable on this car so long as you have paperwork to prove all of the above. The key thing here is that the car was used in Northern Ireland already and not just imported there to be sold on.

Expert answer

Hi Adam,

That's correct so long as the car was actually used in Northern Ireland – and not just imported by a dealer from the rest of the UK for sale. If it's an original Northern Ireland car then it's fine as well. Don't forget about the NOx levy as part of the VRT payment.

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Hi Lorraine,

In Ireland, the first NCT (the Irish equivalent of the UK's MOT) is not due until four years after the first date of registration of a car. That duration applies even if the car was first registered in the UK so, in the case of a 2022 Tucson, it is not necessary to put it through an NCT until 2026.

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Hi Eamonn,

It doesn't matter where the motorhome is coming from for VRT purposes as it is calculated as 13.3 per cent of the OMSP (Open Market Selling Price - i.e. the value Revenue believe the vehicle to be worth in Ireland) regardless.

You need to book an appointment with the NCTS for its inspection and then you will be informed of the VRT payable.

Expert answer

Hi Jason,

For a 2022 Kia EV6, regardless of its origin, there is likely to be full VRT relief on importation. That's because the relief applies to EVs worth up to €40,000 in Revenue's eyes (that value is called the Open Market Selling Price - or OMSP) and taking a look at Irish classifieds now, no 2022 EV6 exceeds that value.

Whether import/customs duty is payable – and indeed VAT at 23 per cent – is not so clear cut, and that will depend on the specific vehicle.

I suggest you read our Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland feature to familiarise yourself with some of the rules, but distilled down, if the car you're importing from Northern Ireland has been used by someone living there for “a reasonable amount of time” (Revenue's words) then no VAT or customs duty should be payable when importing it south of the border.

You will need to be able to prove that about the car.

If you're buying from a dealer in the North, you need to talk to them and ask if the car has been imported according to the Windsor Framework, and if so, if they'll supply proof to you of that.

Without proof, you could be slapped with a VAT and customs duty bill when importing the car.

Hopefully that has been of help, but don't hesitate to come back to us if you need more assistance.

Expert answer

Hi Dave,

Given you'll be on the motorway for an hour each way, presumably a few days a week at least, a diesel car seems to make the most sense in your case.

We'd also suggest that you stick to a car rather than an SUV as it will be better to drive, generally more comfortable and definitely more efficient.

Scouring the classifieds for options, here's what we reckon might suit:

Honda Civic 1.6 diesel
Hyundai i40 1.7 diesel
Kia Optima 1.6 diesel
SEAT Leon 1.6 diesel
Skoda Octavia 1.6 diesel
Volkswagen Passat 2.0 diesel
Volkswagen Golf 1.6 diesel

Come back to us if you'd actually rather stick with a premium marque. The above are a good bet in general when it comes to reliability, though as ever, take your time to choose a good example with a detailed service history, and take test drives as well.