Is the Volkswagen Up suitable for me?
Hi there,
I'm looking to buy a newer car than my 2007 1.2 Renault Clio. I spend roughly half the week in a small city and the other half in a small country village, about 25 minutes from the nearest town. I do a short motorway trip about twice a week. I'd love something like a Volkswagen Up, but am worried this would be too small and lack enough power for my amount of driving, which is roughly 21,000km per year.
What would you advise?
Many thanks, Eimear.
Eimear Molloy (Kilkenny/Waterford)May 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eimear,
I’m happy to report that you’re wrong — the Up (and the equivalent Skoda and SEAT versions) is one of those small car’s that’s oddly good on the motorway. OK, with 60hp you’re not going to be winning any Grands Prix, but it’s entirely adequate, keeps up with other traffic and is pretty decently economical too. Indeed, it’s probably a better bet than buying a basic Clio or similarly-sized car, which will be bigger and heavier but won’t necessarily be that much more powerful.
Should I change my Kia Ceed?
I have a 2007 Kia Ceed 1.4 petrol with 250,000km on clock. It has been great and reliable. Thinking about time to change. Daily mileage to and from work 60km. Thinking of Kia Rio diesel or petrol, new or second hand 2016-18. Any thoughts or advice or maybe hold on to Ceed until the end of its life?
Laurie Healy (Dublin)May 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Laurie,
Well, keeping an old car going is often the cheaper solution, but obviously we can understand the desire for something a little newer. The Rio is a decent choice — reliable and economical — but to be honest it’s a bit of a bland machine. I think you’d be better by far simply upgrading to a newer Kia Ceed. The second-generation model, launched in 2012, feels really sophisticated and is actually very good to drive. With your 60km daily mileage, it would probably be worth looking for another petrol version, rather than going for a diesel.
Should I get my car serviced now or delay?
I live in Dungarvan, 50km from Waterford where I purchased my car and which is under warranty and now due a service. Is this considered essential travel from a safety viewpoint and if not and I delay the service, will it affect my warranty?
Gerry Cummins (Dungarvan, Co. Waterford)May 2020 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
Unless you’re a key worker, I would think that this is not, strictly speaking, essential travel. That said, car dealers and garages are opening again for business from today (18th of May) onwards, and if you need your car for work, and it needs the service, then you should be fine. I’d do two things first — ring the dealer and ask if delaying the service will affect the warranty (it shouldn’t, but it’s worth checking) and then ring the local Garda and ask their opinion. To be fair, the Gardai’s opinion probably means rather more than ours...
Looking at importing a BMW Z3...
Hi,
I am planning to buy a 1999 BMW Z3, 52k miles, value £3,390 (Sterling pounds), 2.0-litre automatic. How much is the VRT for this car? I could not find BMW Z3 in the VRT website, only BMW Z4. Will they consider this 1999 Z3 as a classic car?
Marlon C (Lucan)May 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Marlon,
It’s not a classic yet, I’m afraid. To qualify for ’vintage’ status (as Revenue erroneously insists on using), a car has to be at least 30 years old, so the youngest BMW Z3s won’t start to qualify until 2025. Calculating a VRT value for one is tricky, as prices and values are massively variable according to condition. I would think that a value of around €6,000 sounds about right, which could mean as much as €2,100 in VRT terms given that the 2.0i auto is in the highest band for VRT with CO2 emissions above 225g/km. That’s just a guess though — Revenue is notoriously awkward about valuing cars that are less common.
VRT on this 1990 BMW 3 Series?
Hi,
I'm just wondering how much the VRT is on a 1990 car registered in October so not vintage yet: BMW 318is.
Rory O Callaghan (Cork)May 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Rory,
That’s a really tough one to answer, as there are so few E30 3 Series around at the moment, and values stretch from almost nothing to lots, depending on condition. The problem is that Revenue is notoriously awkward when it comes to valuing older, rarer cars and could slap a massive value on the car that’s simply not realistic. My best suggestion would be to get in touch with the BMW Owners Club in Ireland and get a good feeling for the value of your car. If Revenue mis-values it, you’ll be able to appeal and claim back the excess VRT paid. Or, perhaps, try and wait until October to get it done, which would be the best all-round.
My Fiat 500C's stop-start is playing up...
Hi,
I have a 2012 Fiat 500c manual. Over the past year, the stop-start has intermittently stopped working, warning light comes on saying stop-start not available and a yellow triangle. The last few months is has been happening more often, now warning light on constantly. I had the battery checked and it was 80 per cent. Charged battery and today warning light was on constantly for six miles, drove again and stop-start worked or at least no warning light for about a mile, then on again, tried quickly turning key in ignition 6 to 10 times and warning light stayed off for another 1/2 mile or so then back on, had a hose replaced in February from radiator and it started to say unavailable about middle of March. It's not affecting driving any other way just really annoying, don't know if a new battery will fix it. Fiat dealers are closed at the moment due to COVID-19 or I would have taken it for a diagnostic test.
Hope I've made sense.
Wendy Armson (Brierley Hill)Apr 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Wendy,
We get a lot of queries from people with cars that have stop-start issues. We've published this article to help: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
Saying all that, we also know that the Fiat 500's engine can develop a couple of issues that may be relevant to you, including a problem with the alternator belt tension (and hence battery recharging when on the move) and another with the engine control unit.
Sadly, unless you're comfortable with checking the alternator belt for yourself, these items will have to be checked by a mechanic.
I want satnav in my Hyundai i40...
Hi ,
I would like to replace a standard radio in a 2013 Hyundai i40 with a standard 2013 Hyundai i40 satnav unit. Will this be a case of just plugging in the new satnav unit or will I require additional cables etc?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Ciaran Kelly (Brierley Hill)Apr 2020 Filed under: satellite navigation
Expert answer
Hi Ciaran,
If the i40 did not have satnav from the factory then it will not have a GPS antenna, so you'll have to obtain one of those and wire it in as well, I'm afraid.
Looking for used automatic car...
Hi, I am looking for a used automatic hatchback petrol car for my wife. She's a learner and would prefer a small automatic hatchback. Would you mind helping me to find the best automatic car from year 2015 to 2017? We went through your reviews and made a list of cars thatsuits our needs. They are Hyundai i10, Skoda Citigo, Kia Picanto, Toyota Yaris, SEAT Ibiza, SEAT Mii, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 108 and Renault Clio etc. I was wondering if you could suggest me the best option?
Nithin Mathew (New Ross, Wexford)Apr 2020 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Nithin,
You’re kind of shopping in two separate segments of the market, there — small city cars (such as the Up and the i10) and larger superminis (such as the Yaris and Clio). If it’s one of the small ones you want, then the decision is kind of made for you. The Up is one of our favourites, but there’s no automatic option, so the Hyundai it has to be. No bad thing — it’s an excellent car.
If you fancy something a little larger and roomier, then I’d suggest going for the Toyota Yaris Hybrid — it gets you the automatic transmission you want, plus you’re future-proofing yourself a little with the hybrid powertrain.
I want to insure a crew cab privately. Help!
I have a crew cab. I don't have a business so I am trying to insure it for social and domenstic use only, but I am having trouble getting insurance. Insurers won't look at commercial vehicles for private use. Any companies willing to take me on?
Orlagh Mggrath (Clare)Apr 2020 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Orlagh,
Insurance has for eons been the bugbear of the Irish motorist and, sadly, it’s not getting any easier. Aside from the usual ‘ring-around’ advice, I think your best bet is to find a good local broker — they can often unlock deals not available to mere mortals.
Do I pay VAT importing from Australia?
Hello,
I’m thinking about importing a car from Australia. I will have owned it for more than six months. I understand I’m exempt from VRT, but do I pay VAT given I’m not in EU?
Declan O’Dwyer (Cashel )Apr 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Declan,
Yes, you will have to pay VAT or import duty when the car is brought here, I’m afraid. VAT will be payable at the standard rate based on the OMSP (Open Market Selling Price) of the car, as defined by Revenue.