Can you help me estimate a Niro's OMSP?
Determining the OMSP of a car that is not available within Ireland: yes, I have read through all of the Revenue documentation, and the only remaining variable in determining the VRT amount due is in determining the OMSP of the UK car. There are two Irish versions of this car, but there are FOUR in the UK. Only one of the four have previously been VRT'd, (I know this because it shows on the VRT calculator).
The car I wish to purchase is the top-spec, which includes front parking sensors, sunroof and high-spec sound system. What value could the Rosslare Office assign to these extras? What's worse, I rang Rosslare and they said that I have to purchase the car then register it, and only then can they tell me the OMSP of the car. This is too much of a risk. Please help if you can.
This car is a hybrid, hence the reason why only one of the four types have previously been imported.
Michael, Donegal.
Michael Carey (Letterkenny)Aug 2017 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
The problem is that it’s not an open and transparent system. Because there is no official guide for second hand prices in the Ireland (such as the UK’s Glass’s Guide) it means that Revenue can set a value that they see fit, both for vehicles and for extras. Sadly, and I’m sorry that this isn’t much use to you, any value we might ascribe to such extras is a pure guess, and could be completely at variance with what Revenue eventually says. It’s an unpleasant quirk of an outdated vehicle taxation system.
Cost to change Hyundai Tucson's belt?
What's the cost to change a Hyundai Tucson CRDi's timing belt? It's a 2.0-litre diesel.
T Quinn (Cork)Aug 2017 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
Every garage charges a different hourly rate, I'm afraid, so you're going to have to ring around. Assuming you mean the first generation Tucson (2004-2010), the estimated repair time varies from nearly three hours to six hours, as there was two different type of 2.0-litre diesel engine and whether the car is 2WD or 4WD also affects the time taken.
For reference, timing belt kits including the water pump can cost north of €200 from Micksgarage.com - again depending on the exact engine and model you have.
Can I change my Peugeot 3008's speedo?
Can the speedo on the new Peugeot 3008 SUV be changed from mph to kph and back?
John Freeman (Newry)Aug 2017 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi John,
Yes, just go to the system settings menu (have a look at your owner's manual) and change the selection from Metric to Imperial. It takes a couple of seconds, but best to do it when you’re stopped rather than driving.
Verdict on the new Hyundai i30?
What's your verdict on the new Hyundai i30?
Declan Otoole (Dublin)Aug 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Declan,
Latest exhaust tech in Skoda's 1.6 TDI?
Hi,
Does the relatively new 1.6 110hp diesel engine in the Skoda Octavia have the new manifold in head technology that's meant to make real world emissions lower and make the EGR valve more durable or do you have to have the 1.6 diesel 120hp engine up, say in the Volkswagen Passat, to have this more modern technology?
I'm not really interested in the 2.0-litre diesels as I'm still a relatively young male driver and I believe you pay too much of an insurance penalty for this engine size.
Thanks
Kieran, Thomastown.
Kieran Hallligan (Thomastown)Aug 2017 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Kieran,
Yes, the 1.6 TDI engine in the Octavia should have manifold-in-head tech. All EA889 derivative engines, built from 2013 onwards, have manifold-in-head construction, and that goes for 1.6 as well as 2.0 diesels.
Is the semi-automatic Colt reliable?
Hi, I am planing to buy a 2009 Mistubishi Colt 1.3 semi automatic, which is imported from the UK and its mileage is 54,000km. One of my friends has told me that the semi automatic model has issues so I shouldn't buy the semi automatic. It will be helpful if you can give some feedback about this model.
Thanks a lot in advance
Bijo Mathew (Dublin)Aug 2017 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Bijo,
Yes, we’ve heard that the automatic gearbox on this generation of Colt can be troublesome, in some cases losing drive altogether. I’d be very wary of one and would suggest that, unless you really, really need the auto, you’d be better off going for the manual gearbox version, which should be solidly reliable.
Should I stretch my car's legs regularly?
Thanks very much for your reply on fuel additives for a Skoda. In the normal event, it is probably the case that an engine doesn't get raced very often, and probably runs at fairly low revs most, if not all, of the time. Is there a benefit in running an engine, either petrol or diesel, from time to time at high revs and, if so, how often and for how long?
Your review of the Jaguar F-Type 2.0-litre was very interesting. I have one comment about the engine noise. There are times driving on a back road when it is a pleasure to hear an engine crackle and roar, but perhaps not always. I was driving along a long Spanish sea side resort behind an F-Type, where there were ramps and pedestrian crossings every couple of hundred yards. My thoughts were that one could quickly get tired of that roar every time the car started off again.
Perhaps, that's just me getting old and grumpy!
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Aug 2017 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
On the Jaguar front, first of all thanks for the compliment. As far as noise goes, I don’t think I’d ever tire of the F-Type’s V6 sounds, but that four-cylinder model is hugely impressive (and very refined) all the same.
As for running a car up and down its rev range, yes, it’s a good idea. Engines perform best (especially in fuel economy terms) when held at constant, low rpm (such as on a long motorway journey), but from a mechanical point of view it’s a good idea, once in a while, to stretch things out, warm things up, and get things moving.
How do I calculate VRT on a Countryman?
I'm looking at importing a MINI Countryman from the UK, but the revenue site doesnt even have that version under MINI, never mind the model. I'm asking if you know of a point of contact to get an approximation from before importing as I don't want to arrive at an NCT centre and get told that I owe something crazy.
Thanks
Pat, Slane
Pat Ryan (Ballina)Aug 2017 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
The Countryman is in the Revenue VRT calculator, but it’s in an odd position. You have to select Cooper, One, or First, then pick Hatchback as the body style and then once you’ve selected the usual petrol or diesel, manual or auto functions, you should find the Countryman models in there.
What are the Irish motor tax bands?
What are the Irish motor tax bands for new cars in Ireland?
Johnson Thoppilan (Angamaly)Aug 2017 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Johnson,
The current motor tax bands run from A to G, based on the CO2 emissions of the vehicle, with bands A and B — the ones into which the majority of cars on sale fit — split into sub-bands.
A starts with an electric-only band of A0 (which costs €120 a year) and then goes to A1 (up to 80g/km at €170 a year), A2 (80-100g/km, €180), A3 (100 - 110g/km, €190) and A4 (110-120g/km, €200).
Band B is spilt into B1 (120-130g/km, €270) and B2 (130-140g/km, €280).
After that it’s Band C (140-155g/km, €390), Band D (155-170g/km, €570), Band E (170-190g/km, €750), Band F (190-225g/km, €1,200) and Band G (over 225g/km, €2,350).
Worth using fuel additives in my Skoda?
Hi,
I have a 1.6 TDI Greenline 2012 Skoda Superb with 70k km up. An injector recently had to be replaced. I don't know why, possibly because the car is unused for a few months each year. Is there any benefit in using a fuel additive to prevent further damage and, if so, which?
I also have a 2.0-litre petrol turbocharged Mercedes-Benz C-Class (245hp) of much more recent vintage. Is there a benefit of using a fuel additive from early in a car's life? Is there any evidence that these products. work?
Many thanks,
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Aug 2017 Filed under: aftermarket
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
The short answer is that there are some benefits to using additives, but they’re not a miracle cure. Some additives, such as Redex, STP, or Dipetane, can apparently help to reduce the build-up of carbonised particles of soot and burned fuel on the insides of your engine, which can lead to improvements in reliability, fuel economy and emissions.
That said, there’s little here that’s scientifically proven. The benefits of additives tend to be more word-of-mouth than provable fact, but there’s certainly no harm in using them and if you notice a benefit, well that’s all to the good.
I would suggest that you’re better off sticking to a strict service regimen, using original parts and a qualified technical, than relying on additives though. And of course, as you already know, diesels need to be driven regularly to stay in good condition.