Can I import a Land Cruiser as commercial?
Hi there,
Wondering if you can clarify something for me about importing a Toyota Land Cruiser from the UK for commercial use in Ireland. Does the vehicle need to have been commercially registered in the UK, which I think is N1, before it can be imported and taxed as commercial in Ireland? I've tried searching for commercial vehicles in the UK but there are only a handful of vehicles listed whereas there are thousands of the same model vehicle (Toyota Land Cruiser) listed as having been privately registered.
Many thanks in advance
Ken
Ken O'Sullivan (Lahinch)Jun 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Ken,
It depends on what exactly we’re talking about here. If it’s a two-seat Land Cruiser with a cargo bay in the back, then Revenue should treat it as a purely commercial vehicle for VRT purposes, even if you later go on to tax it as a private vehicle. If, though, it’s a four-seat model that has been categorised as an N1 in the UK, Revenue won’t accept it as a van here anymore, and it’ll be charged at the full passenger car VRT rate.
Which big tow car to go for on moving?
We are moving from the UK to Ireland soon and are gobsmacked (for the want of of a better word) to find that our two trusty vehicles, the 2005 Chrysler Grand Voyager (diesel) and 2005 Mercdes C-Class Elegance (petrol) are going to cost in excess of €6,000 jointly to tax! The cars are not even worth a fraction of that, so we sadly have to replace them (in this throw-away world we have always been proud to keep our vehicles beyond their life expectancies).
So, what car can you recommend for a family of six, that would be able to tow a horse box, but would be the cheapest to tax as we relocate to the Emerald Isle?
Jo Sheedy
Surrey, UK
Joanna Sheedy (Epsom)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joanne,
If it’s just the one car you want, then I think your best bet would be a Ford S-Max or Galaxy, or possibly a SEAT Alhambra. All three cars do all the important family hauling work really well, and the two Fords will tow a maximum 2,000kg load, while the Alhambra can haul as much as 2,400kg.
If you want to go down the two-car route, then maybe go for a Mercedes E-Class Estate, with the fold-down seats in the boot, as the family machine and a Volkswagen Amarok pickup (the early model with the 2.0-litre turbo engine so as to keep the tax costs down) as the tow-car. It can haul a whopping 3,500kg, but is also comfy and refined enough to be a daily driver.
Read our Mercedes E-Class reviews
How much VRT on a BMW Z3?
Roughly how much VRT would be on a 2.0-litre BMW Z3 from the UK? Option is not on the VRT calculator.
Thanks.
Mike Cremin (Midleton)Jun 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
OK, this is a tricky one (not least because we don’t know the year of the car). However, assuming that it’s a 2001 BMW Z3, then it’s going to be worth roughly €3,000 to €4,000 (assuming that it’s in perfect condition with a full service history). The 2.0-litre Z3 has CO2 emissions of 220g/km (depending on the specific model) so that’s going to be in the Band D, 34 per cent, VRT band. Taking an Irish market value of €3,500 (splitting the difference) that’s going to be €1,190 in VRT. BUT, it’s worth remembering that when it comes to odd or unusual model, Revenue’s Irish market valuation can be tricky at best, and they tend to over-value cars, especially sports cars. I’d get in touch with the BMW Owners' Club in Ireland to get a more solid feel for the value of the specific car you’re buying, and to have some expert knowledge on hand if you need to appeal Revenue’s valuation.
Used Avensis or Passat for 25k a year?
I do on average 25,000km a year. Live in the country. I have a choice between 142 1.6 Volkswagen Passat (246,000km, €8,800), 142 1.6 VW Passat (180,000km, €9,500), 131 2.0 Toyota Avensis (198,000km €8,950) or 2012 2.0 Avensis (146,000km €8,000).
Advice welcome
James McDonagh (Curry)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi James,
OK, at 25,000km per year, you’re just about over the line for diesel to make good sense for you. Both the Passat and the Avensis are rugged, reliable cars so they’re both good choices. The Passat has the nicer interior and is more comfortable overall, and that 1.6-litre diesel is remarkably economical (we once drove from Galway to Glasgow, via Belfast, and back on one tank…).
However, the Avensis would have an edge on overall reliability, which, when dealing with cars of this sort of mileage and age, could be significant. I’d say, on balance, go for one of the Avensis, but carefully check over the history and condition of each car, and go for the one that’s the best in those regards, rather than mileage or price. Oh, and as with any four-door saloon with high mileage, check to make sure that neither has been previously used as a taxi. We recommend Cartell.ie for a full history check.
Looking for used electric or hybrid SUV...
Hi,
I am in the market for second hand car and would like to buy a small hybrid or electric SUV; what would you suggest? I am very confused as there are so many different cars out there now. I have been looking at the CH-R and Kona Electric, but think they are overpriced. Do you think now is a good time to buy or should I wait?
Catherine, Dublin
CATHERINE OCONNOR (DALKEY)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
Now is a good time to buy a hybrid, that’s for certain, but given that the Toyota C-HR and Hyundai Kona are among the very few hybrid crossovers currently on sale, you may struggle a little to find choice beyond those two models. It could be well worth looking at a Toyota Corolla or Auris hatchback or estate instead — they’re more practical, in any case, and there’s very little actual difference in height. Alternatively, there’s the Kia Niro hybrid, which was on sale from 2017. Prices for early Niros are now down to around €20,000, and they’ll still be under warranty until 2024.
How to verify my car has been scrapped?
I have just passed an old car over to a scrappage company. I am now becoming concerned that the scrapper does not have a legitimate permit. The company owner collected the car from my house and signed the registration document, which he asked me to countersign and post off to the vehicle reg. offices in Shannon (to notify change of ownership). I still have the registration document. What should I do?
BRIAN MURPHY (Furbo)Jun 2020 Filed under: scrappage
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
Well, in the first instance, it would probably be a good idea to ring the company back and ask to see their permits. If you don’t fancy doing that, then I would send your registration document off pretty quickly, as otherwise you may still be liable if the car is illegally dumped or some other such nefarious activity takes place. Send the form off, and then contact the local motor tax office, or possibly the Gardaí, and talk through your concerns with them.
How much power still in a 30-year-old car?
What would be the current power rating of a car engine, 30 years old, originally 158hp?
Joseph Grima (Furbo)Jun 2020 Filed under: performance
Expert answer
Hi Joseph,
I'm afraid that's impossible to say as no two engines will be the same. It will depend on a lot of factors, including the design and construction of the engine in the first place, how well looked after the engine was throughout its life in terms of maintenance and how hard it was used.
When to change my Astra 1.4's timing belt?
Hi,
When should I change the timing belt on an my 2003 Opel Astra 1.4? I've been told figures ranging from 40,000- to 100,000 miles so really need to get a definitive answer.
Thanks
Garry
Garry Zancanaro (Ballinasloe)Jun 2020 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Garry,
I reckon the confusion comes from the fact that Opel changed the interval around the 2002/2003 model year. For the earlier cars, the interval is every 60,000km or four years (whichever comes first), but it changed to 90,000km or six years from 2003 on.
And just to confuse things further, there was a version of the 1.4-litre engine made from 2003 that used a timing chain instead of a timing belt. The engine code for that is Z14XEP, where the timing belt engine is Z14XE.
It is possible, of course, that your car was a 2002 model year in terms of manufacture, even if it was not registered until 2003, so I'd suggest being cautious.
VRT on a 2009 Nissan Micra from the UK?
Hi,
If I bought an 09 Nissan Micra from the UK for £2,000 what would the VRT rate be please?
Jason Currill (Kilkenny )Jun 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Jason,
Sadly, it matters not what you paid for it, but what the car would be worth here in Ireland. A 2009 Micra is going to be worth around €3,500 on the Irish market (assuming it's in excellent condition with a full service history) and that model has CO2 emissions of 139g/km. That puts it in VRT Band B3, which means you have to pay 19 per cent of the Irish market value, which would work out at roughly €665.
Can I get scrappage on an off-road car?
Can I get a scrappage scheme on off-road cars?
John Downey (Macroom)Jun 2020 Filed under: scrappage
Expert answer
Hi John,
Do you mean acrappage trade-in on an old off-roader? Or scrappage trade-in when buying a new off-roader? Yes, is the answer in both cases — most brands currently have some sort of scrappage offer in play, and it really doesn’t matter what vehicle you’re trading in — you’re going to get some kind of discount.
Or, did you mean can you get scrappage on a car that’s registered as being off-the-road? That’s trickier. Really, the car that you’re trading in generally has to get to the garage under its own steam, and show current tax and insurance to qualify. It’s worth having a word with the dealer you’re buying from, though, as there may be some wiggle room on that score.