CompleteCar
Search Ask Us Anything
Showing 31 - 40 results (out of a total of 2346) found for "FR" in Ask Us Anything

How to import a new camper from the North?

Greetings,

Can you let me know the position of buying a new motorhome from the sole Irish dealership who is based in NI, if I am resident in the Republic of Ireland, and bringing it into the RoI? Does the fact that the motorhome is from a French manufacturer add further complication? I'm not clear on additional issues or costs of doing this.

Very best

Tilly Hoskins (RoI)

May 2025 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Tilly,

The fact the vehicle is French makes no difference to the situation.

I can confirm that no customs duty will be payable, though you should still make a customs declaration before bringing the vehicle south of the border.

Irish VAT, at 23 per cent of the total sale price, will be payable. However, the Northern Irish dealer should be able to zero-rate the sale – i.e. not charge you UK VAT.

The other large fee will be VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax), which is calculated as 13.3 per cent of the OMSP. That's the Open Market Selling Price according to Revenue in Ireland. It is not directly related to the purchase price, but the value Revenue believes the vehicle to be worth after importation.

I'd suggest you give the Northern Irish dealer a call and talk it through, as they're likely to have gone through this process many times already.

Do let us know how you get on.


There's no transport invoice if driving an import from the North...

What if a car is driven from Northern Ireland to ROI? There will be no transport invoice...

Terry (ROi)

May 2025 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Terry,

That's absolutely correct, but Revenue will want some other form of proof of the date of entry, so keep receipts for fuel and tolls, etc. 


Do front parking sensors activate automatically?

When parking behind another car do you need to put the car into reverse before your front sensors will work to alert you how close you are?

Catherine Gallagher (Ashbourne)

May 2025 Filed under: parking

Expert answer

Hi Catherine,

That varies by car actually. Some do operate like that, which is not ideal, where as others just warn you when a nearby object is detected, front or rear, regardless of which gear you are in.


Will there be VAT and import duty on this MG HS from the North?

Hi,

I am trying to find out if an MG HS Trophy PHEV for sale in Belfast in Northern Ireland would be considered according to this: “A vehicle that has previously been in use in NI can be registered for Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) in the State without liability to additional Customs Duties and import Value-Added Tax (VAT).”

It is an ex-demo car that is being sold as “used”. It was registered in Northern Ireland by the dealer 17 October 2024 and so is over six months old. Am I right in thinking it is not subject to VAT, and if so, will the V5C showing the date of registration in Northern Ireland be enough to register the car for VRT?

Yours sincerely

Mark Latimer (Dublin)

May 2025 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

If, as it seems from your description, the dealer registered that car new in Northern Ireland, then I can confirm that you will have no VAT or customs duty payable on importation.


Is the Jaecoo J7 coming to Ireland?

Is the Jaecoo J7 coming to Ireland?

John Mannion (Galway)

Apr 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi John,

We really do expect it to, yes. The brand is being marketed strongly in the UK and we're experiencing a huge number of queries from readers so we're confident it will eventually make it to these shores. 

There is no official word on when/if that will happen though.


My thoughts on the Dacia Bigster pricing...

Got a quote from a dealer for the Dacia Bigster of €36,900 for Expression trim, the 1.8-litre hybrid version. I think they are pricing themselves out of the market . Why is this car so many different prices all over Europe (and believe it or not we are in Europe too).

Sorry but just short of 40K for a Dacia doesn't compute to me!

John Mannion (Galway)

Apr 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi John,

Unfortunately, it's not possible to compare pricing in Ireland with that of other countries due to different tax schemes in operation. Our VRT system, for example, greatly increases prices of new cars here – and not just Dacias.

For what it's worth, we think under €40,000 for that Bigster is decent enough value. It's a lot of car for the money and a notable step up from the Dacia Duster. There is a lot of choice in the segment, though, so make sure you shop around. Even so, the Dacia is well-priced.


Which SUV for up to €30,000?

Looking to buy a family car - budget €25,000 to €30,000 (so I assume a 2021/2022). Looking at the Tucson, Sportage, Audi Q3 or the equivalent Skoda. Looking for reliability. Which of the above would you recommend? Or is there another option I should be looking at?

Cathal O Loghlin (Boyle)

Apr 2025 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Cathal,

The Audi Q3 is a bit smaller than the Kia and Hyundai mentioned so make sure you try one out for size if you're serious about that. The equivalent Skoda (to the Sportage and Tucson) is the Karoq, though the larger Kodiaq would also be in budget.

I'd have a little more confidence in the Kia and Hyundai in terms of reliability in comparison to the Audi and Skoda, but only a little as all of these are decent cars. The Hyundai is the most common by far, which means you could afford to be picky in terms of mileage, condition and specification. The Sportage and Tucson are effectively identical under the skin, though the Sportage may come with more of the original warranty in tact, which is another consideration.

In terms of alternatives, we've always liked the Mazda CX-5 for how it drives and, if you're not set on diesel, then the Toyota RAV4 hybrid shouldn't be ignored, either.

Feel free to come back to us if you need further help narrowing things down.

Let us know how many in the family and on which car seats if applicable, plus your annual mileage.


When will Jaecoo be on sale in Ireland?

When will Jaecoo be on sale in Ireland?

Rachel O Leary (Carrigtwohill)

Apr 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Rachel,

I'm afraid no announcement has been made about Jaecoo's launch in Ireland. It appears to be doing quite well in the UK so we'd be confident it will eventually arrive here, but we know nothing more than that I'm afraid.


Can I get commercial tax on my Land Cruiser?

Bringing home a Toyota Land Cruiser 4.5 litre from Australia, I meet criteria for no VRT, but my question is, when it lands back here in Ireland can I get it registered commercially to avail of the €333 tax? It's a 2013 Land Cruiser Amazon passenger carrier

Jacqui (Wicklow)

Apr 2025 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Jacqui,

That's highly unlikely unless you actually convert the vehicle by removing its rear seats and fitting a bulkhead and then have it reclassified as a commercial vehicle. Even if you did all that, the annual commercial vehicle tax fee only applies to vehicles used solely for the purpose of a business, which you'd need to prove. No personal use is allowed at all.


Is it worth buying this 2007 Audi?

Is it worth buying a 2007 Audi A4 Sport 1.6 petrol for €3,200 with 113,360 miles on the clock?

Adam Humphreys (Ireland )

Apr 2025 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Adam,

That doesn't seem like very high mileage for the year, so maybe get a history check on the car to look into that, and ask for as detailed a service history as possible as well.

Our top tip for buying used cars is to test drive as many examples of the car from other sellers as possible so you get a feel for which is a good one.  

As with any used car, check it drives well, there are no warning lights on when it is up and running and try to get a look underneath to make sure there's nothing drastically wrong. 

Ideally a mechanic you trust would take a look at it for you, but I guess you can't expect perfection from a 2007 car.

The price sounds ok rather than amazing, but if the condition and history are good then it's probably worth it.


-->
-->