Will Budget 2021 reduce Tesla Model 3 price?
Will the budget VRT reduce the price of the Model 3 Tesla?
Bill O Riordan (Cork)Oct 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Bill,
No, we don't think it will. That has yet to be confirmed, but it looks like the dropping of the VRT rebate will not be offset by the reduction in VRT rate (from 14.0 to 7.0 per cent), so it could be a few grand more expensive.
Tax cost for 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
What is the annual motor tax for a 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0 Automatic?
Many thanks.
Michael
Michael Ruddy (Cootehill )Sep 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
The engine size is 1,995cc, so it sits in the 1,901cc to 2,000cc band, currently costing €710 per annum.
When to change my Grand Vitara's belt?
When does the timing belt have to be changed on a 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 diesel?
Martin Walsh (Kilrush )Sep 2020 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
It should be changed every 75,000km or five years, whichever comes first.
Looking for a car to cover all bases...
We are a senior couple living in a long country lane in Ireland. We drive four long journeys per year. Our nearest large town is 15km away. We would like a car that is comfortable, good on long journeys and short journeys, low on fuel costs, tax and maintenance. And fit at least three grandchildren for school runs.
Marietta O Dowd (Cavan)Jul 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Marietta,
I think a Skoda Karoq might be a good bet for you. It’s a roomy car, and a safe one too, for the grandkids. Get it with the 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine and it’ll be economical on those short runs to town and back, and good enough on those four regular long journeys. It's cheap to tax, and Skoda makes reliable cars, so it should cover all bases.
Which big tow car to go for on moving?
We are moving from the UK to Ireland soon and are gobsmacked (for the want of of a better word) to find that our two trusty vehicles, the 2005 Chrysler Grand Voyager (diesel) and 2005 Mercdes C-Class Elegance (petrol) are going to cost in excess of €6,000 jointly to tax! The cars are not even worth a fraction of that, so we sadly have to replace them (in this throw-away world we have always been proud to keep our vehicles beyond their life expectancies).
So, what car can you recommend for a family of six, that would be able to tow a horse box, but would be the cheapest to tax as we relocate to the Emerald Isle?
Jo Sheedy
Surrey, UK
Joanna Sheedy (Epsom)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joanne,
If it’s just the one car you want, then I think your best bet would be a Ford S-Max or Galaxy, or possibly a SEAT Alhambra. All three cars do all the important family hauling work really well, and the two Fords will tow a maximum 2,000kg load, while the Alhambra can haul as much as 2,400kg.
If you want to go down the two-car route, then maybe go for a Mercedes E-Class Estate, with the fold-down seats in the boot, as the family machine and a Volkswagen Amarok pickup (the early model with the 2.0-litre turbo engine so as to keep the tax costs down) as the tow-car. It can haul a whopping 3,500kg, but is also comfy and refined enough to be a daily driver.
Read our Mercedes E-Class reviews
Can I import my own car VRT-free?
Hi guys,
I own a property in the UK as well as buying a house here and now work here. I want to import my car from the UK. Am I right in thinking, that if I have owned the car for more than six months, have current UK insurance/tax/MOT certs and the log book in my name at my UK address, that if I were to register it in Ireland, it would be VRT exempt? Will they look for any other documentation?
It's an old 2001 SLK, which is only worth a couple of grand, but the VRT site says that the OMSP is €49,970, which is obviously a mistake and makes the VRT €14,950 plus €240 NOx.
James Mc Vicker (Carrick-on-Suir)May 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi James,
Basically, yes, you can import the car without paying VRT because it meets the requirements of age, mileage and tax and MOT. You may have to provide some proof of employment, but in general, the new address should be sufficient.
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.
Is the Grand California available in USA?
Is the Volkswagen Grand California available in the States?
Robert Kennedy (Mcallen)Jan 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Robert,
I'm afraid not.
Any change to the taxing of commercials?
Hi,
Has there been any change to the taxing of commercial as private? I bought a 2015 Berlingo van so will I have to pay under the old system?
Thanks in advance
Chris
Chris Lawlee (Buttevant)Jan 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Chris,
No, you’ll be grand. If the vehicle was originally registered as a commercial then it will retain that designation. The change in the rules only affected cars registered from July 2018.
Can I buy a Grand California in the USA?
Where and when can I purchase a VW Grand California RV in the USA?
Korey N (Brandon )Oct 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Korey and sorry to be the bearer of bad news - the Grand California is not sold in the USA at this time.