Expert answer

Hi Keith,

The extra spec probably won't make much difference I'm afraid. Once there's a few basic items such as air conditioning, a decent stereo and some nice wheels, most second hand buyers don't care about spec - they're only interested in the car itself, its history and its likely reliability. With that in mind I'd say you're looking at a value of between €8,000 and €9,000.

Expert answer

Hi Nicholas,

There is no government-funded scrappage scheme in place in Ireland at the time of writing (July 2014), but those that existed in the past were set up to encourage buying a new car, not a used one. Some car makers continue to use the term 'scrappage' for trade-in deals they are offering, but to our knowledge these also focus solely on new car purchases.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Andrew,

We asked Volvo Ireland about this. Here's what we were told:

"The Volvo XC90 will be launched at the Paris Motor Show in early October 2014. We expect first deliveries of the car in early 2015.

We expect to have prices confirmed in time for the Paris Motor Show.

Please contact your local Volvo Dealer to be kept updated on the latest news.

www.volvocars.ie/findadealer

There is also a link on our website to keep the customer updated on any XC90 information that gets released: http://www.volvocars.com/ie/all-cars/all-new-volvo-xc90/pages/keep-me-updated.aspx "

For your information Andrew, we'll be at the global reveal of the XC90 on August 25th if we can help you answer anything else.

Expert answer

Hi Andrew,

We asked Volvo Ireland this for you and here's the response:

"The Volvo XC90 will be launched at the Paris Motor Show in early October 2014. We expect first deliveries of the car in early 2015.

We expect to have prices confirmed in time for the Paris Motor Show.

Please contact your local Volvo Dealer to be kept updated on the latest news.

www.Volvocars.ie/findadealer

 There is also a link on our website to keep the customer updated on any XC90 information that gets released:

 http://www.volvocars.com/ie/all-cars/all-new-volvo-xc90/pages/keep-me-updated.aspx"

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Adam,

We asked Audi Ireland this one and the response was as follows:

"There is no recommended change interval for these components. While they are classified as wear and tear items the rate at which replacement is required is based on a number of factors: driving style, annual mileage, urban/rural mix of mileage, vehicle load (passengers, luggage or trailer)"

Sorry to not have a definitive answer for you.

Expert answer

Hi Trevor,

It would seem not. Certainly it was the case some years back when car makers often 'de-contented' (i.e: stripped out) their cars to help compensate for Ireland's staggering levels of vehicle taxation, but the situation seems to have stabilised now.

 According to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, to whom we spoke about this, the last official EU survey on pre-tax prices carried out in 2011 showed that the gap was, in some cases, still there, but was narrowing.

In a statement, the EU said that "The Commission continues to monitor the competitive situation on the new cars market, as well as the markets for spare parts and repair and maintenance, in cooperation with National Competition Authorities. The Commission is committed to safeguard competition in this sector and will not hesitate to take the necessary enforcement action if problems arise."

Basically, the changes in the tax system in Ireland since 2008 have meant that we're much more in line with the rest of Europe than was once the case.

Now ask us about the post-tax price...

Expert answer

Hi Colm, 

We asked Opel about this and this is what was said:

"It technically could be done, but it would be cost prohibitive to have the unit retrofitted on the Insignia. We used to provide an aftermarket system, but the likes of Parrots are better and is what we would recommend. As always we would advise that the customer takes the car to an Opel garage and they will recommend the best type of Bluetooth set to get and some garages can arrange that for the customer. If the customer needs to find his nearest dealer tell him to check out www.opeldealersireland.ie"

Hope that's of some use to you

Expert answer

Hi Tim, 

We asked Opel about this and this is what was said:

"It technically could be done, but it would be cost prohibitive to have the unit retrofitted on the Insignia. We used to provide an aftermarket system, but the likes of Parrots are better and is what we would recommend. As always we would advise that the customer takes the car to an Opel garage and they will recommend the best type of Bluetooth set to get and some garages can arrange that for the customer. If the customer needs to find his nearest dealer tell him to check out www.opeldealersireland.ie"

Hope that's of some use to you

Expert answer

Hi Emmet,

The general consensus seems to be yes, but make sure you ask beforehand. All banks seems to have slightly and subtly different policies when it comes to issuing loans (and not just for this specific circumstance). More than 25,000 cars have been imported to Ireland since the start of the year, so clearly, people are getting loans to buy them and bring them in, and it's an entirely normal procedure. Your bank may ask for some additional guarantees or similar, but as long as you check with them first on their precise policies, you should be absolutely fine.

By the way, you may want to check out our guide to importing cars from the UK while you're here.

Expert answer

Hi Anne,

An all-new Volvo XC90 is due in Ireland in 2015 so the current car is being phased out. The last examples sold in the country are in either D4 or D5 diesel spec with a Geartronic automatic gearbox. They both sat in Band F for road tax, costing €1,200 per annum.