Is a warranty valid on a UK import?
Hi,
Wondering if you could assist me, please. I’m looking at potentially buying a UK-imported VW Golf from a Mazda dealer garage. It will have two years left of the manufacturer warranty. Will that warranty be valid in Ireland if something unfortunately happened and who would I take the car to, a local Irish Volkswagen dealership? The garage/seller maintains the warranty would be valid.
Can you please confirm?
Thanks in advance.
Connor (Louth)Jan 2025 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi Connor,
If it is a pan-European warranty, then it should be valid and yes, an Irish dealer should be fine with carrying out warranty work if needed. If possible, get the car's VIN from the seller and contact Volkswagen Ireland with it to check its warranty status.
Revenue's VRT calculator is rubbish!
What are my options if I'm looking to import a car (from NI or GB) but unable to get a VRT estimate on Revenue's VRT Calculator because of this now very common error on their site: "No Vehicle found for Combination Selected. Please update your filters."?
There are no other relevant filters to update. The error occurs for multiple common manufacturers, models and years, nothing exotic. E.g. Mazda MX-5. Only a few make/model combinations will not give this error. The issue occurred after Revenue's recent 'update' to the site, when they strangely added seemingly every global manufacturer to the site (without adding a search function, making it tedious to scroll for ages to find Toyota, say, especially on a mobile).
I contacted Revenue on MyEnquiries two weeks ago. No response yet. Do I really have no option but to actually go and buy the car from NI or GB, bring it to the NCT centre just to get a VRT quote (not even an estimate)? It's obviously too late for me then if the VRT quote is ridiculously too high (as is commonly the case as Revenue seemingly pluck the OMSP from thin air).
Are Revenue not obligated to provide a VRT estimate for all makes/models that are selectable on their own site or at least those models for which they have a record of having been through the process before?
Thanks!
James Dunning (Bray)Oct 2024 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi James,
It's very frustrating, isn't it? We refer to that site regularly to help buyers and it has certainly taken a backwards step since the update.
Unfortunately, there does not seem to be any other way to get a confirmed VRT price for any given car from Revenue without presenting it for inspection as you've described.
If it's any help at all, tell us the full details of the car and we can try to make the estimate for you, but of course it's still only an estimate.
MG3 or Mazda2 hybrids?
Cna oyu compare the MG3 'self-charging' hybrid and Mazda2 self-charging hybrid for both town and distance travel?
Mary Pierse (Dublin)Oct 2024 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
The MG is undoubtedly more powerful, as the numbers suggest, but the Mazda doesn't feel appreciably slower at all, and the Mazda is nicer to drive both in town and out of it. The MG is a little 'softer' on the road perhaps, meaning it's a fraction more comfortable over bumps, but there's not much in it.
Overall I prefer how the Mazda drives and it feels like a higher-quality product. The MG hits back with its low price and it's also a little more spacious.
They're both very economical cars with little to separate them in that way.
I highly recommend you drive both for yourself before deciding.
Why no Mazda logo on my MX-5?
Why does my 1991 MX-5 SE not have a Mazda emblem on the front?
Richard Bowie (Pickering On)Aug 2023 Filed under: bodywork
Expert answer
Hi Richard,
Is it an import from Japan or elsewhere? Or is it a special edition? It's not unusual for imported cars and special editions to get different bonnet badges.
What to replace my Mondeo with?
Please point me in right direction. I have a 2018 Ford Mondeo and would like to change in January 2022, so I need some advice. I like diesel. What three cars should I be test driving? Around the size of the Mondeo with five doors. Help!
Fergal Reidy (Co. Kildare)Jun 2021 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Fergal,
OK, at the very top of your list should be the Skoda Superb. It’s massive inside, hugely comfortable, has a huge boot, is well made and has an excellent 2.0-litre TDI 150hp diesel engine. It’s well worth checking out the 150hp TSI petrol too though — it's smoother, quieter and nearly as economical unless you're driving at motorway speed all day.
Next go and check out the Mazda6. Now, there’s no five-door fastback version, but there is a hugely handsome Touring estate model, and it’s very good to drive. Tremendous interior quality too. Only problem? Mazda has dropped diesel engines from its line-up, but the 2.0-litre petrol is an excellent unit, and surprisingly economical.
Finally, you could go for one, last Mondeo. It’s coming to the end of its production life right now, but it’s still a firm favourite of ours, and with it being on run-out, you’ll get some proper bargains if you want to buy one of the last ones.
Is the Mazda3 expensive to fix?
Hello,
Is the 2007 Mazda3 expensive to repair compared to VW Polo, Skoda Fabia, etc?
Thanks
Vishwanath Bijapur (Dublin)Jan 2021 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Vishwanath,
It really shouldn't be, especially not if you're using non-official parts, which most people would do for cars of that age.
VRT for a 141 Mazda3?
Hi,
How much would be the VRT for a 141 Mazda3 2.0?
Adaora Iroh (Co Carlow)Nov 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Adaora,
OK, if you bring it in right now, and get it VRT’d before January 1st, then the VRT cost should be in the region of €1,700. After January 1st, that will go up a little as, with CO2 emissions of 119g/km, and adding the extra calculation that Revenue will now be making to equalise emissions figures taken from the old NEDC test with the new WLTP test (which bring’s the Mazda3’s figures up to 144g/km) then it will be in a 19 per cent VRT band, rather than a 17 per cent. That would most likely bring the VRT payable (including the NOx levy) to around €1,900, but all of that will of course depend on the individual car, its specification, condition and history.
Read these articles for more information:
Any more Ford Mondeos coming?
I've been a Mondeo driver forever. All good, no problems.
Do you know if the Mondeo will stay on sale in the Irish market? Dealers are coy about disclosing the full facts.
If I cannot have a lovely new Mondeo, what do you recommend? I like diesel and the Mondeo size suits me. Give me a few suggestions, please. My mortgage is now paid so I could go up a grade as a special treat...
Fergal Reidy (Co. Kildare)Oct 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Fergal,
Sadly, for all us Mondeo fans, it will die in its current form soon (most likely in the next 18 months or so). Now, it will be replaced, but most likely not by another saloon, but a crossover of some description instead, sitting above the Kuga in the current Ford range, and likely with a seven-seat option.
Happily, there are still a few proper, full-sized four-door saloons around for you to choose from, and they’re good ‘uns. Our list starts with the Skoda Superb (massive inside, smooth to drive, handsome to look at and really good quality) and the VW Passat (all of the above but not quite so big inside). The Mazda6 is a big favourite of ours, too, not least because it’s so engaging to drive, and has such high quality and reliability levels, but Mazda is dropping the diesel engine option, so you might want to snap one up soon, before they’re all gone.
If you fancied going down the hybrid route, then Toyota’s excellent Camry is well worth a look, and there’s the Opel Insignia (probably one of the most underrated cars on the market) to consider too. If you fancy something a little moore stylish, check out the very slinky Peugeot 508.
You could go up a grade, as you suggest, to the likes of a BMW 3 Series or Audi A4, but the problem is you need to spend a LOT extra to get one with decent spec, so our recommendation would be to stick with one of the mainstream brands.
Here are our relevant reviews to help you decide:
Cost of a new Mazda MX-5?
What would be the total cost of a new Mazda MX-5 GT and will there be any for sale here in Ireland before the end of the year?
The Mazda dealers and Mazda Ireland are not very upfront with this information. You would think that they would be hungry for sales and especially on a model that is the flagship of the brand.
Anthony Byrne (Cork)Oct 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
My contact within Mazda Ireland responded:
"There is currently one MX-5 in stock from what I can see here and it happens to be a black RF GT. Otherwise dealers can order an MX-5 in as special order to whatever colour and spec the customer would like. The prices for a GT (roadster / RF) are as follows if a customer was to purchase one now. Prices will go up by €270 by November, however:
Roadster GT - €33,645
RF GT - €36,145
Mazda MX-5 pricing and details can be found on Mazda.ie."
Can you give us 2021 pricing on these EVs?
Hi,
Curious to know what the difference will be on BEV pricing under the new VRT rules compared with current pricing (which has €5,000 VRT rebate). Would be interesting to see old vs new pricing on a few e.g. Mazda MX-30, Peugeot e-208, Honda e, Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model 3.
Thanks, Kieran Donnelly
Kieran Donnelly (Cork)Oct 2020 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Kieran,
Our understanding is that the €5,000 VRT rebate will continue for electric cars with an OMSP (Open Market Selling Price) of under €40,000 and will be tapered from that to zero rebate for cars with an OMSP of over €50,000. Hence, most of the cars you mention shouldn't see much of a price change, though we don't yet have sight of how the rebate changes for cars with an OMSP of between €40,000 and €50,000.
For reference:
The Mazda MX-30 currently costs from €30,495 including SEAI grant and VRT rebate.
The Peugeot e-208 currently costs from €27,334 including SEAI grant and VRT rebate.
The Honda e currently costs from €29,995 including SEAI grant and VRT rebate.
The Nissan Leaf currently costs from €29,890 including SEAI grant and VRT rebate.
The Tesla Model 3 currently costs from €47,990 including SEAI grant and VRT rebate.