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How much VRT on a new Hyundai Kona?

Hi,

We want to buy a new Hyundai Kona, the fully electric version, in Northern Ireland and import it then to the Republic of Ireland. We would buy through the company of my boyfriend to benefit from BIK reductions. I read that we could get a maximum of €5,000 of VRT relief when registered before 31 December 2021. The VRT calculator on Revenue's homepage is unfortunately not working for electric cars. Can you give an indication on how much VRT we would roughly need to pay?

Felicitas Schmelz (Cork City)

Feb 2019 Filed under: VRT

Expert answer

Hi Felicitas,

It’s a tricky one. Theoretically, the amount of VRT you’d have to pay on an imported Kona would be zero or close enough to it, as the €5,000 rebate should more or less cover the VRT payment (I say more or less because the Irish spec of the Kona is slightly different to the UK’s so there may be some optional equipment charges). The payment you will have to pay is the VAT. If a car is less than six months old, even if the VAT has already been paid in the UK, you have to pay it here, so that’s going to be 21 per cent, which will be around €4-5,000. Also, beware of the BIK rebate — that is designed strictly for company car users, so I’d check with your accountant to make sure everything is above board. 


Running costs of 2014 Toyota Avensis?

What mileage does a 2014 Toyota 2.0-litre diesel do to the gallon of diesel. And what does insurance cost for a driver with full clean licence and 50% no claims bonus?

Anthony Ryan (Balinrobe )

Feb 2019 Filed under: running costs

Expert answer

Hi Anthony,

I presume you mean an Avensis? Well, the official fuel consumption figure for that model year Avensis, with the 2.0-litre D-4D engine and a manual gearbox, was 4.5 litres per 100km, or 62mpg. Of course, that’s going to vary hugely depending on the condition of the car, its tyres, how you drive, how much stuff you have in the boot, etc, etc. As for insurance, I’m afraid we have no idea as Irish insurers never give indicative pricing for specific cars. Insurance is weighted more heavily on the driver than the car at any rate, so you’ll just have to shop around for the best deal you can get.


How much VRT on this VW Transporter?

How much would it cost to clear a 2014 Volkswagen Transporter Kombi with 180hp, 65000 miles and a DSG transmission?

Darren Reynolds (Ballymote)

Feb 2019 Filed under: VRT

Expert answer

Hi Darren,

It depends what you mean when you say ‘Kombi.’ If, by that, you mean a Transporter with windows and more than three, but fewer than ten seats, then that actually gets taxed as an M1 passenger car, and so you’re looking at CO2 emissions of between 169- and 174g/km, and so VRT of 28 per cent or 31 per cent of the Irish Open Market Selling Price (OMSP). That means, at a very, very rough guess, a VRT bill of around €4-5,000.

If it has three seats or fewer, or is a crew-cab (which means that the load area must be physically separated from the seating area), then it’s 13.3 per cent of the OMSP, which would be around €2,000 to €2,500 (again, that’s a very rough guess). 


Will the Government alter our tax bands?

Hi guys,

I currently have a 2017 Audi Q5 190hp quattro auto S line, which would be due a change for Jan 2020. Road tax is €280 now, but I see from the full WLTP figures applicable from 1/9/2019 the tax will be €1,200, which is a crazy increase, and VRT will also get a huge hike. Do you know if the Government intend to widen the emissions bands to counteract this before 1/9/2019 or should I be looking at buying for 192? Opinions please.

Thanks

Pat

Pat Higgot (Dublin)

Jan 2019 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

Short answer is no, we don’t know. And nor does anyone, as yet. It seems more than likely that the Government will be making tweaks to the tax system this year, and SIMI (the Society of the Irish Motor Industry) has been lobbying for a movement of around ten per cent at the top end of each tax band. The EU has stated that the transition to WLTP has to be ‘revenue neutral’ so theoretically, something HAS to be done to mitigate any major increases in cost for consumers.

There’s always a but, though… The Government could theoretically say that leaving the system as is pushes people towards electric and hybrid models, and therefore is part of the overall environmental strategy, or they could decide that for the moment the tax system can continue to be based on the existing NEDC2 correlated figure.

We shall have to wait and see.


Easy to charge a BMW 740e PHEV?

Is it difficult and expensive to charge a BMW 740e xDrive in Ireland?

Colm Wilkinson (Dublin)

Jan 2019 Filed under: hybrid

Expert answer

Hi Colm,

Expensive? No. From a  domestic feed, it should cost no more than €1-to-€2 for a full charge, depending on what electrical supply rate you’re paying. As for public charging, for the moment that’s still free of charge, as long as you have an RFID card from ESB e-Cars, for which you can apply online. Difficult? Yes, definitely. The public charging network as it exists right now is pretty small, spread out and not very reliable. Because of that, there’s a bit of aggro in the air between drivers of PHEVs like the 740e, and those driving pure electric cars, with frequent arguments and frustration over the use of public chargers. If you’re doing most, preferably all, of your charging at home, you’ll be fine.


What full-size MPVs are left on sale?

We’ve been driving SEAT Alhambras for quite some time. Don’t want an SUV, want to move up a few years, but alas, SEAT is discontinuing the Alhambra.. The Sharan seems on the way out too. We don’t want to compromise on thrid-row seating, so the Kodiaq etc don’t get a look in either. The Touran would be too small. And we don’t want to get near eight-seaters or “van” territory. What options for us dinosaurs?

Kevin O, Callaghan (Cork)

Jan 2019 Filed under: family car

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

Well, Ford still has the Galaxy and S-Max on sale, and both of those are very strong bets, with the Galaxy obviously being a better bet if you really need maximum possible space in the rear seats. Other than that… Erm… Yeah, it’s suddenly looking very thin on the ground for full-size MPVs. You could consider importing a new-shape Renault Espace from France, but then you’d be stuck with left-hand drive. Or you could have a ring-round SEAT and Volkswagen dealers to see if they still have any Sharans or Alhambras in stock. There is bound to be a a few still lurking around the back of someone’s forecourt. 


How much to change my Primera's speedo?

How much does it cost to change the speedometer in a Nissan Primera from kilometres to miles in  the UK?

Patricia Conway (Dublin)

Jan 2019 Filed under: mileage

Expert answer

Hi Patricia,

That's not an easy one to give you an accurate answer on, I'm afraid as every garage will charge differnt labour rates. You'll need to bring the car along to a few places to get quotes.

Let us know how you get on


How do I prove I am exempt from motor tax?

I have a primary medical certificate, which provides me with certain benefits including a grant for adapting my new car. I have just taken delivery of the car and was told that I am exempt from road tax. I have gone on to the motor tax web site to conform to the registration requirements, but I've been unable to proceed to a conclusion or obtain a tax cert. The car is a Kia Niro PHEV.

Please advise how I should proceed as there doesn't seem to be a facility to contact the motor tax dept.

Regards, Tom Mears

Tom Mears (Dundal)

Jan 2019 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Tom,

There doesn’t, slightly bizarrely, seem to be an online way of doing this I’m afraid. Your best bet is to actually go to your local motor tax office, and bring both your vehicle registration document and your primary medical certificate with you. The actual human in the MT office should be able to sort you out, but it’s odd that there seems no way to do this via the web, which would obviously be much easier for those with restricted mobility.

Incidentally, you’re also allowed to claim back both VRT and VAT on the car you’ve bought (download form DD1 from the Revenue website) and there’s also a fuel grant, depending on your circumstances. Have a look at the Citizens’ Information website. It’s really helpful.


Can I get a refund on my NCT?

Hi!

My car has one year on its NCT, but is not damaged and will be scrapped. Can I transfer the NCT or get money back? It's a 2003 Citroen Xsara 1.4.

Thanks a lot in a advance!

Regards, Sasa

Sasa Kadragic (Clonsilla)

Jan 2019 Filed under: NCT

Expert answer

Hi Sasa,

I'm afraid it is not possible to transfer your NCT to another car and there is no mechanism for obtaining a refund when a car with an NCT it taken off the road.


When to change my Astra's timing belt?

When does the timing belt need changing on an Opel Astra (A16LET engine)?

Peter Hill (My Waverley)

Jan 2019 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

The A16LET engine is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit according to our records, producing 179hp and manufactured from 2009 to 2014. 

If your engine is pre-2010, the recommended change interval is 150,000 kilometres or 10 years, whichever comes first. For engines made after that date, it's still 150,000 kilometres, but the maximum time between changes is six years.


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