Can I avoid VRT on importing my parents' car?
I was living in UK from January 2015 to December 2015. I was insured on and driving my parents' car. I now am importing that car into Ireland as they can no longer drive it. Will I have to pay VRT? I was resident in the Republic before going to UK for the year.
Marie Kearns (Ennis)Jun 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Marie,
Theoretically, as you're moving house and you've had the car taxed and insured at your previous address there should be only an administrative fee to pay. But I'm guessing it wasn't your name on the logbook while it was in the UK, which may put a spanner in the works (unless you and your dad have the same name of course...). I think your only option is to talk to someone on the Revenue help desk (and they really are very friendly and helpful) and explain your situation. There might be a loophole through which you can slip.
How popular is the 1.4-litre TSI Passat?
Hi,
Can you tell me how many of the 1.4-litre Volkswagen Passats were registered in Ireland in 2015 and 2016?
Thanks.
Brendan Cullen (Knocklyon)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
According to the figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), 57 Passat 1.4 TSI models were sold in 2015 (53 saloons and four estates) and 42 so far this year (37 saloons and five estates). There were also two Passat GTE plugin hybrids registered so far this year, which also use the 1.4 TSI engine.
Audi A3 TDI or Toyota Auris Hybrid?
Hi,
As our family is fleeing the nest, I am hoping to buy a new or nearly new slightly smaller and economical (possibly hybrid?) car. Changing up from a 2009 Toyota Avensis 2.0-litre high-spec diesel with 98,000km on the clock. Do about 15,000km per year mostly in the city and trips to Wicklow, and odd long trip to West Cork for pleasure.
Not sure if I should go for diesel again, or hybrid. Is hybrid risky and will the residuals drop as newer technology comes onstream? Offered €6K by Audi for my Avensis (poor!) against a brand new A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI diesel (net after discounts and trade in = €25K) or €10k by Toyota against brand new 1.8 Auris Hybrid Luna (€26,225 + €575 + €180 road tax + €575 metallic paint = €16,980). Love the look of the A3 Sportback, but in my heart think Toyota is more practical for a privately run car. I am paying cash so am conscious I might have this car a while, i.e. five years.
Do you think a new car is advisable, or good demo, and also will the Audi be expensive to run?
Thanks,
Linda DJ, Dublin
Linda Dwyer Joyce (Dundrum)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Linda,
€6k is at the bottom end of 2009 Avensis trade in values and your Toyota dealer is possibly boosting your trade in a bit (€10k is definitely top end) to keep you in the family.
I think with 15,000km annual mileage you definitely don't need a diesel - you'll really struggle to make back the extra purchase cost in fuel savings and if you're not doing lots of long journeys you could run into problems with the particulate filter. The Audi wouldn't be expensive to run at all - they're reliable and frugal, but the servicing would probably be slightly pricier than for a Toyota.
As for the Auris Hybrid, I think it sounds like it might be just about right for you, especially as most of your mileage is around town and that's where it works best. You may find it hard to get the best economy out of it on that long run to West Cork, but the rest of the time it should be about right, and super-reliable too.
An ex-demo is always a good idea as you'll get it cheap with minimal mileage, but there are fewer of them around these days.
Relevant reviews on the site:
Have you reviewed the FWD Volvo XC90?
Hi,
Have you a review on the Volvo XC90 Momentum FWD?
Thanks
John Condren (Lusk/Dublin )Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
We've not reviewed that specific model, but you should be able to get a good idea from the versions we have tested, as listed below:
Volvo XC90 D4 FWD Inscription review
Can you tell me about the new Ford Ka+?
New Ford Ka: when is it in Ireland and what are the prices please?
Also, is a new Fiesta on the way? When and what price?
Fergal Reidy (Celbridge)Jun 2016 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Fergal,
The new Ka+ will be here in June and will cost from €13,050. You can find out much, much more about it in our Ford Ka+ news item. The new Fiesta is a bit more of an unknown and we certainly don’t have prices for it yet. It’s due to launch in Europe in the first quarter of 2017, but Ford Ireland may decide to keep its powder dry and launch it here closer to the 172 registration change in July of next year. It’s likely to be a little larger than the current car (although not by much, as the same basic structure is being retained) and the engine line up will be entirely the new-generation three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol and the four-cylinder 1.5-litre TDCi diesels. It’s likely to also be more expensive than the current car – the fact that Ford is launching a five-door Ka at a cheap-ish price, and the continuing efforts to push the Ford brand upmarket (Vignale, Mustang, GT, Edge etc.) means that the next Fiesta will probably be more sophisticated but more expensive too.
What SUVs have three Isofix seats?
What SUVs have three Isofix seats in the middle row? Thinking of putting two Maxi Cosi seats in middle and putting buggy in one seat's position if it's down, as I need the back two seats for children ages five and three. Most SUVs won't take buggy in boot space with seven seats in use. Is this idea viable or a non-runner?
Jim Donovan (Mallow)Jun 2016 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Jim,
I think unless you’re going to go for a full-size SUV, such as a Land Rover Discovery, Audi Q7 or Volvo XC90, you’re going to struggle to find an SUV with three Isofix points in the back. Even the family-friendly Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe only have two outer seat Isofix mounts in the middle row. I’d suggest having a look at the Ford S-Max or Galaxy, or a SEAT Alhambra. These would seem to be the only cars that have the necessary Isofix points and the boot volume you’re looking for.
Can you tell me when my NCT is due?
When is NCT due on my 4x4?
John Byrne (Knock Co.mayo)Jun 2016 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi John,
Vehicle history check expert, Cartell.ie, tells us it can provide the next NCT due date as part of a range of information its service makes available to the consumer. History checks start from €10.
Can I change UK Passat clocks to km?
We are interested in a 2014 Volkswagen Passat Saloon 1.6 TDI Executive BlueMotion from Belfast. The speedometer is in mph only, we need it in km; can this be changed digitally on this car, or what can be done?
Thanks.
Orlaith Daffy (Ennis )Jun 2016 Filed under: mileage
Expert answer
Hi Orlaith,
Most UK cars should come with a main analogue speedometer (the physical dial bit) with both mph and km/h markings. The good news is that the digital speedo display between the main instruments can be adjusted from the settings menu. A quick glance at the owner's handbook should see you right.
Corsa, Corolla, Micra or Polo for €2,000?
Hi, I am a first car buyer in Ireland. I would like to buy an automatic car.
The ones I am interested in are a 2002 Opel Corsa, 2004 Toyota Corolla 1.6, a Nissan Micra 1.0 from 2002 or a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 from 2000. All of them cost between €1,750 and €2,000. I am wondering if these prices are realistic for cars like these, and given the types, which one would be the best choice?
Thank you in advance,
K
Katalin Csesznek (Cork)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Katalin,
I have up to €7,000 to buy a car with low costs.
Hi,
I am planning to buy a used car manufactured in 2008 or 2009 and my budget for this is between €6,000 and €7,000. Please suggest a good sedan that is worth driving for a period of six to eight years from now. I am not a person who commutes long distances in my day to day life. Probably I may travel 25,000-30,000km per year. I am looking forward to buying a car with low maintenance cost and fuel economy.
Thanks. Sebastian J.
Sebastian J (Galway)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Sebastian,
OK, you have a few choices here. I’d say with that mileage you’re on the cusp of needing to buy a diesel to maximise your fuel economy, but your budget is a bit tight for most diesel saloons of that age. So, how about a BMW 318i? It’s petrol but the good news is that it’s quite economical (you should get 40mpg easily enough) and more reliable than the diesel 3 Series. Or you could try a Honda Civic IMA Hybrid saloon. There are quite a few of those around in your price range and if most of your miles are done in town, it would be ideal.