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Hi Tony,

The second-generation Octavia launched in 2004, which means you're most likely looking at two completely different generations of the model. There will be some small number of parts potentially shared across both, but not a lot at all, especially as the engines are also different.

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Hi Ben,

Ambition is the Skoda Fabia’s mid-level trim, one up from a basic Active. Prices for the cheapest Fabia Ambition start at €17,000 and standard equipment includes 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, leather multi-function steering wheel, front and rear electric windows, a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connection, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, front and rear reading lights and an umbrella stashed under the front passenger seat.

A €19,900 Style upgrades all that with extra toys such as 16-inch alloy wheels, manual air conditioning, rear parking sensors, keyless ignition and entry, automatic headlights, a front centre armrest and height adjustable seats. 

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Hi Pat,

We certainly have noticed this trait in all Volkswagen Group DSG-based gearboxes (that's what the S tronic transmission is) and their attendant engines of late. The only explanation seems to be that VW’s various brands have trimmed back both engine power and responsiveness at low speeds, and especially at idle or when waking up from a stop-start cycle, in order to optimise their figures in the new WLTP emissions and economy tests. VW is certainly not the only one to do this, but it does seem to be more obvious with VW Group models than with some other manufacturers. Shifting the gearbox into Sport helps a bit, but it’s not a total fix.

One cure might be a total vehicle upgrade — we’ve noticed that the new ‘Evo’ versions of the 1.5 TSI petrol and 2.0 TDI diesel engines are noticeably less sleepy. Or, alternatively, trade in for a version with a manual gearbox — that is the simplest cure of all.

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Hi Lucy,

I'm afraid that the VRT calculator supplied by Revenue is only for an estimate, as every car is different. The final figure takes into consideration the condition, mileage and any extras fitted to the car.

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Hi Steven,

Can you tell us which model your car is? That might be helpful. In the mean time, there’s a list of all the contact numbers for local Revenue offices at this link, so you could try getting in touch with the office for your area. 

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Hi Sinead,

Generally speaking an Irish bank (or indeed any other service) will not accept a UK credit history, so your best bet might be to simply bring the car with you (it’ll cost you nothing to import and re-register it if you can provide proof of change of address) and simply keep paying the loan through your old UK bank account. Make sure you let the finance provider and bank know of your change of address, but there shouldn’t be any issue as long as you keep making the payments. It might be worth investigating a good currency transfer service, such as TransferWise, to bring down the cost of constantly sending Euro back to your Sterling account.

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Hi F D,

Sounds to me like the Audi garage had it right. The rear callipers could be binding slightly, or perhaps even the parking brake mechanism is sticking. Very limited use in any car can do that. If you know you're not going to be using it for a long time, consider parking it up without using the parking brake (if safe and feasible). Leave the car in gear and place something in front of the tyres for extra safety.

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Hi Frank,

The bad news here is that a 1966 Mustang probably has CO₂ emissions similar to that of a medium-sized coal-fired power station. The good news, though, is that for any car that’s more than 30 years old, you pay a flat-fee VRT charge of just €200. Big sigh of relief all round, I expect. There are some other charges that you’ll have to pay, though, as the car is coming in from outside the EU. You’ll have to pay VAT and customs duty, but thankfully these are calculated on the actual price paid for the car, not the Revenue-calculated OMSP price, which makes things much more straightforward. Customs duty works out at ten per cent of the purchase price, and then VAT will be 23 per cent of the purchase price plus the shipping cost. 

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Hi Eric,

It’s tempting to answer this with a simple ‘good luck’ and leave it at that… The problem, of course, is one of sheer rarity. The Thompson Motor Company at one point claimed to have made 100 Costins before the Wexford-based firm went bankrupt in 1987, but the general consensus is that this was entirely made up. The actual production figure seems to have been around 40, maybe slightly fewer. We can currently find none for sale in Ireland or the UK at the moment, but it could be a question of simply taking your time and trying to make some contact with those in the know. I’d suggest having a chat with the guys at the Irish Veteran & Vintage Car Club and the Irish Jaguar & Daimler Club, and make sure you visit the next Terenure classic show.

Or, alternatively, make friends with cycling superstar Stephen Roche. We think he has two...

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Hi Bill,

Technically, and strictly legally speaking, yes you do I’m afraid. It’s an offence to drive a car on the public road in Ireland or the UK without having paid motor tax. You could be fined £80 on the spot in the UK, and potentially have to pay as much as £1,000 if the case went to court. All in all, it’s just not worth the risk.