How can I calculate VRT for a Dodge Challenger?
How can I find out how much a Dodge Challenger will cost in VRT? It's brand new and coming from an importer in Germany with a certificate of conformity for Europe.
Dave McCormack (Limerick)Apr 2013 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
First off, we are massively jealous of you getting a Challenger. We drove an SRT8 version in San Diego back before Christmas and it's just a glorious lump of retro-styled Americana. Good enough to (literally at one point) stop traffic in downtown. Bringing one into Ireland of course means you're going to get hit for a lot of tax in the form of VRT - and potentially VAT.
You'll be paying the top whack rate of 36% VRT because of the car's emissions. Now, that's not 36% of the price you've paid, but 36% of what Revenue decides the car is worth. Fair? No, not even slightly but them's the rules. You'll have to pay VAT as well if the car is either less than six months old or has less than 6,000km on the clock. Within seven days of the car's arrival in Ireland, you have to make your appointment with the NCT people to have the car inspected and valued. Revenue has a very helpful FAQ page on VRT here: http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/faqs-vrt.html
Let us know how you get on - and if you need help testing it...
How much is my BMW 325i Coupé worth?
How much is my BMW 325i Coupé worth? It has 30,000 miles on it (48,000 kilometres) and is a 2007 car bought here in Ireland from a main dealer.
Thank you
Peter McTigue (Cork)Apr 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
The low mileage on your car really helps, as most examples of the 325i on sale have considerably more on the clock. I'd say you're looking at a value of between €13,000 and €16,000, depending in spec, colour and whether or not your car has an automatic gearbox. A dealer will most likely pitch you about €12,000 on a trade in.
Let us know how you get on
What's a Honda Civic 1.7 diesel valued at?
Hi, what is the value of a 2004 Honda Civic 1.7 diesel with 80,000 miles (129,000 kilometres) on the clock?
Mia Fleming (Gorey)Mar 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Mia,
That's a little difficult to answer as Honda Ireland never imported that generation Civic diesel here. In the UK, a 2004 1.7 CDTi is worth around £2,000 so I'd take a stab at a value of around €2,500 to €3,000 here.
Let us know how you get on
Which version of the Lancer is the Intense equivalent to?
I am currently in the market for a 2008 and up Mitsubishi Lancer 1.5 and have come across the Intense model. When trying to get an insurance quote for this model I am left stumped as the insurance companies only suggest the models DE, ES and GTS. Which model is the Intense relative to these?
Graham Kelly (Galway)Mar 2013 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Graham,
We asked Mitsubishi Ireland about this one and this is what was said: "Invite and Intense are two model trim names that are associated with a number of our vehicles, including the Lancer. It’s unusual but not unheard of that an insurance company would not have all the trim names on their database. The names do not infer any special performance characteristics but simply a level of trim so should not impact on an insurance quote."
"DE, ES and GTS are very old model trim names going back over 12 years, which we don’t currently use. So these insurance companies must still have them on their database."
Hope you get sorted
What's the new Skoda Superb like?
Any news on the Skoda Superb facelift due date? Which is better, Superb or new Octavia?
Paul Mc Mahon (Dublin)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
Yes, it's just been revealed (see our full news story here). There's a subtle bit of restyling going on, with new grille and lights at the front and new lights at the back. There aren't a huge number of mechanical changes on offer, but the 1.6 TDI Greenline model has seen its emissions drop to a very competitive 109g/km, so that will save a little on annual road tax. Inside, the range-topping Columbus infotainment system now comes with a 30GB hard drive for storing your music and podcasts. It goes on sale in Ireland in July, though we drive it next month (May).
As to which is better, Superb or Octavia? Phew, that's a toughie. The new Octavia is very, very impressive and well priced too, but I personally have a bit of a soft spot for the Superb, with its huge boot and rear seat space. To be honest, you wouldn't go wrong choosing either, but it's worth bearing in mind that we're only a couple of years away from an all-new Superb, which Skoda reckons is going to be competitive with the BMW 5 Series...
Hope that helps somewhat
What do you think of the Nissan Tiida?
2008-09 Nissan Tiida: what should I look out for? How reliable, spacious and good is it as a second family car?
Alan Trayer (Naas)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Alan,
We don't know of any widespread common issues with this car. It's built on Nissan/Renault mechanicals that are quite well proven. It's moderately spacious for the money, but it's not a car we'd often consider, as there are plenty of other better cars available for the same price. Apparently many unsold examples found their way from Ireland to the UK, where they were never marketed as a new car.
In summary: not bad really, but not recommended either.
Let us know how you get on.
Looking for a wheelchair suitable taxi.
I am looking for a suitable clean vehicle for wheelchair accessible taxi business. Dublin area. Can you help?
Kieran Mc Eneaney (Dublin)Mar 2013 Filed under: taxi
Expert answer
Hi Kieran,
Here’s what we’ve found on Carzone that’s wheelchair accessible, or you could get in touch with the guys at Motability Ireland who would be able to help.
How do I bring a car in from the North?
I reside in Ireland. If I buy a car with Nothern Ireland registation, what do I have to do to change it to Irish and how much would it cost me?
Olga Kulikova (Waterford)Mar 2013 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Olga,
How much it will cost you will depend on the car. To re-register a car in the Republic of Ireland, you have seven days from the point of arrival in the country to book an inspection with your local NCT centre. At that point, it will be inspected by the Revenue Commissioners to determine its Open Market Selling Price (OMSP), which is the price they think you would have paid, had you bought an identical car in Ireland.
That figure, and the car’s CO2 emissions rating, will determine the amount of Vehicle Registration Tax, or VRT, you will have to pay to complete the process. From the point of entry of the car into the country, you have a maximum 30 days to complete that process.
You can find much more detail here from the Citizens Information Board
Or read our guide, 'How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland'
How to work out a 2009 SUV's tax?
Where can I find out the current tax rate on a 2009 SUV? All I can find is the band rates, but how do I find out what rate the car is to begin with? Found two websites and two different rates for the same car. Plus dealer told me another rate...
Grainne Flynn (Waterford)Mar 2013 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Grainne,
Well, if you could tell us the exact make and model you’re looking at, we can tell you. All motor tax rates since 2008 are calculated on the CO2 emissions of the car (unless it’s a commercial version) and that can be affected by everything from the engine to the gearbox to items of trim and equipment. The more detail you can give us, the more precise an answer we can give. For reference, read our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained guide.
When does the new Suzuki S-Cross hit Ireland?
When is the new Suzuki S-Cross coming to Ireland?
Rita Faulkner (Co. Cavan)Mar 2013 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Rita,
Suzuki Ireland tells us that the new crossover should be here in September.
Anything else you'd like to know about it?