Expert answer

Hi James,

The R version of the S60, the high-performance model, used a 2.5-litre turbo engine and, as it’s pre-2008, it’s on the old engine capacity tax system so that’s going to be €1,080 for a year's tax.

Read our Motor Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature for more

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Hi Paul,

The Hyundai or Kia will be more efficient than the 1.6 i-DTEC Honda, but only just and at the expense of a considerable amount of performance — the Honda feels much brisker and is more comfortable than the other two as well. In that size range, it’s also well worth considering the VW Tiguan, especially the current-shape model, which is very frugal in 2.0-litre 115hp form. Some reviews below to help you decide:

Kia Sportage reviews

Hyundai Tucson reviews

Honda CR-V reviews

Volkswagen Tiguan reviews

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Hi Eamon,

Well, according to Mazda Ireland, very little. "From an Irish perspective at least, there won’t be any difference at that grade level. In late 2017, we did introduce the GT Lux edition, but this has yet to be launched across the full range in Ireland. So if comparing a 161 and 171 or 172, there’s no change,” was the official response.

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Hi Mark,

We asked Toyota Ireland about this and the explanation appears to be that the leather seats are not set up to be ordered from the factory, though they can be purchased as an aftersales accessory. 

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Hi Stephen,

The TMC Costin was, kind of, Ireland’s Caterham. Built by the Thompson Motor Company, (hence TMC) in Wexford (established by brothers Sean and Anthony) it was a small, light, two-seat sports car very much in the mould of the Lotus, later Caterham, 7.

The body was designed for TMC by legendary aerodynamicist Frank Costin (hence the name) and it was usually powered by a 1.6 Ford Crossflow engine (or a Cosworth BDA if you were feeling brave). Celebrity owners included none other than Stephen Roche of Tour De France  (and Calvita cheese!) fame (you're not related, are you?). Around 40 cars were built before the firm went bust in 1987 (although there had been claims of as many as 100 built) and the rights to the chassis design were later sold off to Don Panoz, who later developed the basic chassis into the Panoz roadster.

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Hi Paul,

It depends. If it’s the basic 1.6-litre petrol model, then your VRT will be around €3,000 (ish, depending on spec) and that model already appears on Revenue’s system. If it’s the more expensive version with the 1.2-litre petrol turbo, then it’s trickier as, you’re quite right, Revenue doesn’t have that car on its systems.

I would think they’ll hit you up for around €4-5,000 in VRT for one of those. The process isn’t too difficult, as such, but if you don’t fancy it, the new, updated Dacia Duster will be launching next year, and that should finally come with a petrol engine option here.

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Hi Mike,

Is that a Mondeo you’re looking at? Yes, with your mileage and driving conditions, a 1.5-litre EcoBoost makes total sense. In fact, if it is the Mondeo, it’s the nicest engine in the line-up. It’s definitely a good idea to have a look up North — there are some very good cars around, and you can save several thousand Euro, but just be wary of vehicle history and make sure you do a very thorough history and background check (with someone such as Cartell.ie) before you hand over any money. 

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Hi Robert,

It’s Motability you need to ask, I’m afraid, not us. I’m sure you can change the car if needed, but there may well be a cost of change to be paid, depending on what car you want to put them into. I’d suggest ringing Motability Ireland, have a chat with them, and go through the fine print of the contract.

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Hi Leo,

Yes, they will. Warranties on new cars are almost invariably pan-European, and backed by the factory in Germany, so as long as it’s under the original factory warranty, a dealer in Ireland should have no trouble honouring it. It would only be where the UK dealer was offering a specific warranty on an older car that you would normally have an issue.

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Hi Michael,

The price gap, new, in the UK market is around £4,200, but it will depend on whether Revenue treats the extra equipment as a separate model, or extras added to an existing car, in which case the gap would probably be higher still. I think, and this is a pure finger-in-the-air calculation, that if you add about €6,500 to the OMSP of the Model 2, then you’ll be in the right ballpark, but sadly this is yet another example of the inequity of a system that charges you based on what they think you should have paid, versus what you actually paid.