Why is my Audi A3 stalling?
Hi,
I have an Audi A3 1.6; when I start it, it idles for a few seconds and then it cuts out; what can the problem be?
Johnny Morulane (Pretoria)Jan 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Johnny,
If you have the first-generation Audi A3 1.6 petrol, then it's likely to be one of two things. The idle speed could be set too low or there's a seal missing from an unused engine bay harness 14-pin multi-plug allowing water in. Both are cheap and easy fixes for any mechanic to carry out.
Naturally, something else could be causing the problem, but these are known issues with that engine.
My NCT disc has not arrived - what to do?
I bought a car from a garage and they say it has a one-year NCT on it, though they had to register the new number plate from UK to an Irish one and told me the NCT disc would be sent to me. I have taxed and insured the car, but no NCT disc has arrived; what should I do?
David Allen (Cork)Jan 2019 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi David,
First thing to do is get straight on to the garage and ask them what's going on. It could well be just sitting in their office forgotten about.
It is possible to order replacement certificates, but it's a bit of hassle as the form needs to be signed by a Garda and it'll cost you €15.50.
VRT and tax implications for imported Kombi?
Hi,
I am a teacher as well as part-time farmer. I am looking at changing my car and buying a Volkswagen Transporter Kombi to access outfarm, feedstuff etc. I am looking at sourcing in the UK, but not sure of VRT and then taxing the van. It would be used for farm as we have another family car. The van would be 2016 approx €25,000 euro. Can you advise to VRT rates and tax implications?
James McLoughlin (Sligo)Jan 2019 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi James,
It depends on exactly what Kombi version it is. You see, under the recently changed rules for N1 commercial vehicle VRT and tax, if the van has fewer than ten seats, and the seats and cargo area are all in the one section, then it technically counts as a passenger car and you’ll be paying VRT at either 28 per cent or 31 per cent of the OMSP, and then passenger car motor tax too in Bands D or E.
If it has three or fewer seats, or if the cargo area is physically separated from the seating area, then it counts as a crew-van and you’ll pay 13.3 per cent of the OMSP, but to tax it as a private vehicle you’ll have to put it on the old engine capacity rating (why this is still in use we’re not sure, but it is) and that’ll be €710 a year assuming it has the 2.0-litre TDI engine.
What do you think of VRT rates and imports?
I understand that the import duty tax has risen from 10 per cent to 11 per cent as of 1/1/19. Do you think it should or could increase again after Brexit in order to help save the motor trade in the Republic and to try persuade people to stay and buy Irish? I feel that if the import duty tax went to 12.5 per cent it would stop people going to England or up North. What is your opinion on the matter?
Patrick Devitt (Dublin)Jan 2019 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
Well, sadly, it’s just not that simple. The one per cent surcharge for Vehicle Registration Tax applies only to diesel-engined vehicles, and it’s not a flat-rate rise from ten per cent to 11 per cent, but a one per cent rise across all the VRT bands. VRT has always been something of an iniquitous tax. The thing is that, potentially, you’re right; a VRT increase could possibly dissuade buyers from shopping in the UK, and send them back to Irish forecourts, but only if it were applied to private imports, rather than new registrations through a dealer. That’s problematic too, though, as many dealers actually shop for second hand stock in the UK, given the tendency of Irish cars to be low in spec and small in number. Would such a new tax apply to those imports? Should it? If not, is that unfair to those private individuals who are merely ’shopping around’ for the best value? And given that, technically, every car brought into the state is an import, where does one draw the line when it comes to manufacturer imports versus private imports? VRT is many things, both right and wrong, but one thing it’s sure not is simple.
Has Honda improved the Civic's seats?
Has Honda improved the driver's seat in the new civic saloon? Had a 2012 Civic that broke my back. Now have an Accord, but would love a new Civic Saloon if the seats are long enough to support my right leg.
David Walsh (Rathangan, Co Kildare)Dec 2018 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi David,
It’s a tricky one. As a fellow bad back sufferer, I know the pain (literally) of sitting for too long on the wrong car seat, but the problem is it’s a case of one man’s meat is another’s poison. I, personally, find the seats in the Civic absolutely fine. You may, or may not — the only thing I can suggest is to ask your local Honda dealer for as long a test drive as possible, explaining the reason why you need it. Alternatively, you could always fit the utterly brilliant bucket seats from the Civic Type R as an aftermarket extra...
Why is my Dacia beeping under braking?
My Dacia Logan makes an electronic beeping sound when I hit the brakes (not the handbrake); sometimes it doesn't, sometimes it does, what could be wrong?
Dries Dobbelaere (Brugge)Dec 2018 Filed under: brakes
Expert answer
Hi Dries,
Without seeing this happening and observing if there is also a warning light, it's very difficult to assess from afar so we would recommend bringing the car to a good mechanic to have it looked at.
I wonder though, could it be something to do with the seatbelts not being latched correctly, or something on the other seats that moves during braking and causes the car to think there is someone there without a seatbelt on? Long shot, I know...
New Skoda Kodiaq or Peugeot 5008?
I do 35-40k kilometres per year over motorway and hilly back roads. Considering new 2.0-litre Skoda Kodiaq diesel Ambition or 1.5 Peugeot 5008 diesel Allure. Peugeot has a higher spec including rear view camera and three full seats in second row (no tunnel). Would it have the power and comfort to tackle the high mileage? Other SUV suggestions welcome.
Gay Fannon (Cavan)Dec 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Gay,
It definitely has the power and the comfort to tackle the mileage. That new 1.5-litre HDi diesel engine is a cracker, and with 120hp it has plenty of guts, plus it’s rather pleasantly refined and very frugal too. An excellent all-rounder. The only doubt would be over long-term reliability. While Peugeot has really improved its build quality over the years, the fact is that an equivalent Skoda will be slightly better-built, especially over the longer term. It’s certainly worth considering.
What new hybrid would suit my aunt's use?
Hi,
My aunt is looking at buying a hybrid. She currently has a 2010 SEAT Ibiza with 40,000km on the clock, which is in immaculate condition. As indicated by the mileage she doesn't do much driving and what she does is city and suburbs. She's interested in a new hybrid (as opposed to electric - she thinks it's too early in its development) that is reliable. Ideally she'd like an automatic, but doesn't want to pay a huge premium for that. Her budget is €20,000 plus the Ibiza.
What would you suggest?
Thanks
Enda
Enda Lowry (Dublin)Dec 2018 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Enda,
For starters, as far as I can work out, all new hybrids currently on sale are automatic, so there's no such thing as paying a premium for that side of things. On a trade-in, I'd suspect that your aunt will get no more than €3,500 for the Ibiza, even though the mileage is very low, so let's work with a budget of around €23,500.
That would get the top-of-the-range Toyota Yaris Hybrid, which is a perfectly good car for low mileage use by one person. The Yaris has been updated recently and it remains a very solid buy. For a few grand more, the entry-level version of the brand new Toyota Corolla Hybrid is within reach, which is a far more substantial car, but outside the budget you mentioned.
There are no other new hybrid cars on the market within budget, I'm afraid. At this price point, we'd suggest that an efficient petrol engine is possibly better value, but if your aunt really wants a new hybrid, then the Yaris is not a bad option at all.
Which new crossover or SUV for me?
Hello,
Which crossover/SUV would you recommend? I do circa 25-30k kilometres per year, mostly motorways, but also a fair bit of urban driving.
Roseanna
Roseanna Gorman (Bray)Dec 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Roseanna,
First things first — if you’re doing mostly urban and motorway miles, you really don’t need an SUV. A more conventional hatchback, saloon, or estate is going to be more comfortable, better value, more economical and a better-engineered vehicle all round. If you’re looking for something with practicality then the likes of a Skoda Octavia Combi estate, a Volkswagen Golf Estate, a Kia Ceed SW, or the new Ford Focus Estate all have much bigger boots than any small-to-medium SUV (more than 600 litres, all of them, compared to around 450 litres for, say, a Nissan Qashqai), and they’re all better to drive and more frugal.
However, if you’re hooked on SUVs then we’d recommend a SEAT Ateca (plain wrapper, but it’s roomy, comfy and nice to drive) or a Toyota C-HR (small on the inside, relatively, but hugely stylish and the hybrid version is frugal). If you’re looking to ‘posh-up’ a bit, then the incoming new Audi Q3 is a bit of a stunner, or if you want something smaller and more affordable than any of those, try the updated Fiat 500X, which is kinda cute and charming.
Here are our relevant reviews for you to read more:
Can I avoid VAT on a nearly-new import?
I bought a car in the UK and took it for inspection. It has just 2,995km the on purchase invoice and so I was caught for VAT. The dealer will buy it back, put the miles on it and then sell it to my wife. I assume I cannot bring it in a second time as this would probably be tax evasion? Since my wife is a separate person am I correct in thinking that Revenue will accept this?
P Johnstone (Co Meath)Dec 2018 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi there,
This is possibly a bit above our pay grade as it all sounds a bit dodgy. Potentially, yes, you’re right that your wife is a separate legal entity and that they might well accept that, but it’s definitely going to raise some red flags, especially if you share a surname as well as a home address. I would take advice from a tax accountant, and possibly a solicitor, before trying this.