We'd like an SUV with three ISOFIX points.
Hi,
We are looking for a car, ideally an SUV that will have three ISOFIX seats for three children under the age of three. This is proving hard to find; do you know of any?
If not, can you suggest a suitable MPV with an SUV look?
Thank you
Jacinta, Cork
Jacinta O'Mahony (Cork)Feb 2017 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Jacinta,
Mostly, SUVs with three ISOFIX points in the middle row are the really big ones - Land Rover Discovery, Audi Q7 and so on. The good news is that Peugeot is about to launch the new 5008 and that has three ISOFIX points in the middle row, but it won't be on sale until July in Ireland.
Is it cheaper to import a car from NI?
Is it cheaper to import a new or second hand car from Northern Ireland?
David Fitzgerald (Cork)Feb 2017 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi David,
It can be, but it depends on the model and it depends on what the exchange rate is doing during a given week. By and large the rule of thumb is that the more expensive the model, the bigger opportunity to make a saving, but even more humble cars, such as Toyotas and Fords, are becoming cheaper on import now. Do your homework, work out your VRT payment in advance as best you can and then wait for Theresa May or Boris Johnson to say something utterly stupid and drive down the value of Sterling again.
Can I import a seven-seat commercial?
Hi,
In terms of importing a Land Rover Discovery that has a commercial classification in the UK already, but has seven seats - what needs to be done in terms of conversion?
Mark Quinn (Dublin)Feb 2017 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
Tricky one. You'll need to talk to the people at the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) as they're the ones that set the regulations for what counts as a commercial vehicle. More than likely you're going to have to get rid of the extra seats, but have a chat with them first and make sure.
Will my UK import have a warranty?
Seriously thinking of buying a 2016 Audi A6 in U.K. For lots of reasons, money saving been the main factor. If I buy from a main dealer on a relatively new car will I have a warranty? Also, should I haggle on displayed priced cars? Any help appreciated.
David O'Connor (Wexford )Feb 2017 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi David,
Yes, if you’re buying from a main dealer and the car is still covered by its original factory warranty, then that warranty also covers Ireland — we are all, for the moment anyway, still Europeans. Always, always haggle, but remember that dealers generally work on a margin of about 8-10 per cent, so don’t be unrealistic and go in offering half what they’re asking.
Should we bring our car from Germany?
Hello,
Can I ask for some advice please? My girlfriend is a German national who has come to live in Ireland. She wants to sell her car here in Ireland. The car in question is a 2011 Nissan Qashqai - very good spec with a petrol engine. There is a Moldovian national who is interested in buying this car, but we are concerned that the car will not be registered in Moldova and we are aware that a lot of German cars are in Moldova on German plates.
Any help or advice would be appreciated .
Warmest regards
Michael Roche
Michael Roche (Cork)Feb 2017 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
I think your best bet is to sell the car in Germany first, but possibly not to this other person you’re speaking about. If you’re concerned about what a future owner may do with a car, then the best thing is to find someone else to sell it to. Bringing the car into Ireland to sell will involve a large amount of paperwork and a hefty price tag in Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT), so I think you’re going to be better off by far selling the car in Germany.
Is the Opel Ampera-e for Ireland?
When will the Opel Ampera-e go on sale in Ireland?
Seán Ó Dufaigh (Castlerea)Feb 2017 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
It probably won’t. Opel confirmed at the Paris Motor Show last year that there won’t be right-hand drive production of the Ampera-e and that position has not yet changed. If there’s a sudden jump in demand from the UK and Ireland for electric cars, then Opel may well reconsider, but for now, we won’t be getting it.
Will UK discounting affect Irish car prices?
Hi,
Will the large discounts in the UK market on new cars have any effect on prices in Ireland?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Feb 2017 Filed under: pricing
Expert answer
Hi F D,
Yes, they will, though probably not at the new car level. Although some car importers in Ireland are connected to their UK equivalents (BMW and Opel for instance) unless it's market driven, they probably won't do the same here. However, those lower UK prices will lead to lower second hand values, which will make imports cheaper, which will have an effect on second hand values here. How much? We'll have to wait and see...
Has Volkswagen Ireland no Golf info yet?
Hi,
Why on earth is there radio silence from Volkswagen Ireland regarding the new Golf?! In the first time for forever we have an excellent, dedicated car enthusiasts' website for Irish customers where I can read about the new Golf, but Volkswagen Ireland has no information whatsoever on its website or within its dealer network. I am having to use the excellent Volkswagen UK website as a reference yet there is no guarantee what I desire there will even be 'offered' here...
I am in the fortunate position of being able to order my third 'performance' Golf at launch yet am getting that same 'here's what you could have won' feeling seeing the UK launch and generous spec... Maybe it'll be worth the wait this time...
Martin Smith (Dublin)Feb 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
Well, we can't speak for Volkswagen or its IT department, but we have seen the prices (hence how we were able to include them in our review of the new Volkswagen Golf) and they're pretty much the same as before, with slightly better equipment as standard all round, which is actually much the same as UK spec. Any delay in getting the new details on the website are likely down to a delay in finalising the options pack prices and, let's face it, trying to make sure that the last few remaining examples of the outgoing model get sold.
Electric parking brake on new Honda Civic?
On the new 1.0-litre Honda Civic; does it have the new type parking brake?
Paul Donnelly-Swift (Dublin)Feb 2017 Filed under: brakes
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
The new Civic? Most versions will have an electronic parking brake, but we'll get the final specifications for Ireland in the next few weeks. In the meantime, read our first drive of the new Honda Civic here.
How to sort out ownership of NI car?
I swapped my old van and SUV for an 09 Hyundai Coupe on NI plates and I filled out the log book when I bought it and sent it away to Swansea like it said on it. They have sent it back saying that I need to sort out the log book over in Ireland. Where do I go to do something like that?
Jason Ryan (Limerick)Jan 2017 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Jason,
You need to go through a specific process for importing a car from the UK and Northern Ireland. Within seven days of the car’s arrival here, you need to have informed Revenue and booked an inspection for the purposes of assessing the car’s value for Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) at your nearest NCT centre. Then you have a 30 days to complete the process, pay the VRT and get your new number plates. The Citizens Information website has a lot of useful details on this process so have a look here.