How much VRT on a 650cc Quad Utility vehicle?
How much VRT would be due on a Quad Utility vehicle with 650cc petrol engine and valued in ROI new €18,500 including VAT and sold in NI at £13,000 ex VAT?
Dave (Tipperary)Dec 2025 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
We believe that vehicle should fall under category M for VRT calculations, and that is done solely on the engine size.
It's €2 per cc for the first 350cc than €1 per cc from then on, so it should be €1,050 for a vehicle with a 650cc engine.
Belt or chain in my 2021 Kia Rio?
Hello,
I have a 2012 Kia Rio petrol. Does it have a timing chain or a timing belt?
Thank you
Audrey (Le Cannet)Dec 2025 Filed under: timing belt or chain
Expert answer
Hi Audrey,
That engine has a timing chain.
Is there an automatic Citroen C3 Aircross?
Does the Citroen C3 Aircross come in an automatic version?
Neil Brown (Wicklow)Dec 2025 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Neil,
Yes, in fact most versions of the new C3 Aircross are automatic. There are electric and hybrid models that are automatic. Only the regular petrol engine can be had with a manual gearbox.
Does the 2014 Ford Kuga 1.6 EcoBoost have a wet belt?
Hi,
I'm looking to buy a 2014 Ford Kuga 1.6 petrol EcoBoost Titanium X. Does this have a wet belt please?
Laura (Wicklow)Dec 2025 Filed under: timing belt or chain
Expert answer
Hi Laura,
No, this engine has a dry timing belt.
Where is the petrol gauge in a 2025 Citroen C4?
Where is the petrol gauge in a 2025 Citroen C4?
Neil Brown (Wicklow)Expert answer
Hi Neil,
It's on the digital instrument display on the bottom corner. Take a look at this image of the Citroen C4's dashboard and you'll see it.
Looking to buy a car to pull a caravan...
I am looking at buying a second car that will pull a caravan. I haven't bought the caravan yet. I am considering a 2015 or 2016 diesel car, but as I've never owned a diesel car before, I'm concerned I could be buying trouble, even from reputable dealers.
Is it possible to buy a 9- or 10-year-old petrol car to pull a caravan, and what make of petrol would be the best? I understand the weight etc to pull a caravan.
Doteen (Wicklow)Nov 2025 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
Hi Doteen,
A car's history and how well it has been serviced is important no matter what fuel type it is. The added complication with modern diesels is that their DPFs – and other components - can clog up if they're only used for short trips. I don't believe where you buy the car has any bearing on that. It's all about how the car was used.
Make sure all the warning lights are working and going off when the car is running, insist on a detailed and complete service history and take the car for a decent test drive (again, regardless of the fuel).
A diesel car will be far more economical than a petrol one when it comes to towing and for the most part will be better suited to the job in terms of low-down pulling power (torque).
Nonetheless, if you'd prefer a petrol car, that's entirely doable. Just don't go for a small-engined, lightweight car and expect it to do a good job. Cars such as the Ford Mondeo, Skoda Octavia, VW Passat and others all came with powerful turbocharged petrol engines, though they're much rarer and hence harder to find than the diesel equivalents.
Hopefully that has given you some food for thought but come back to us with more information on the weight of the caravan you're buying and your budget for the car and we can help further if you need it.
Can I trust Revenue's VRT calculations for a Japanese import?
Hi,
I'm planning on importing a 2020 Honda CR-V 2.0 petrol from Japan. I'm stressing about the VRT, as there are so many horror stories online. The official calculator on Revenue's website indicates VRT around €6k. How reliable is this? I can see that this year is listed online for around €28-29K.
Thank you
Bart (Kildare )Oct 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Bart,
Revenue itself states that the information on its website is for guidance only, so you have no comeback with it. Saying all that, if it gives an OMSP (Open Market Selling Price) for the same car on there, then that is likely to be quite a good guide.
For cars coming from Japan, however, they will ask for proof of the CO2 and NOx emissions, so that's the tricky part. Make sure you get that documentation from the seller before proceeding.
What tax bracket does the Leapmotor C10 REEV fit into?
Hi,
What emissions bracket is the Leapmotor C10 1.5 petrol? I'm trying to work out the BIK implications.
Cyril Mangan (Co Dublin)Oct 2025 Filed under: benefit-in-kind
Expert answer
Hi Cyril,
Officially, the C10 REEV emits only 2g/km of CO2.
Chain or wet belt in a 2025 Opel Frontera?
Can I ask for clarification on the 2025 Opel Frontera? I was lead to believe that they have the wet belt engine but on reading the brochure it refers to timing chain. Which is it?
Caroline Dyer (Galway)Oct 2025 Filed under: timing belt or chain
Expert answer
Hi Caroline,
I can confirm that the Frontera uses a newer version of the Stellantis group's 1.2-litre petrol engine, which indeed has a timing chain now in place of the old 'wet' belt.
Am I better off with a diesel BMW X3?
Hi guys,
I am currently driving a 241 BMW X3 M Sport plug-in hybrid - I traded up from a diesel 191. And I just don't like it! It is costing way more to run than what I was forking out for the 191.
I love love love X3s but I am wondering would I get better value if I went with the diesel hybrid? I do a lot of miles, as well as small bit of city driving, but mostly 100km a day. What would you think?
Elaine Cronin (Limerick)Sep 2025 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Elaine,
The BMW X3 diesel is what's called a "mild hybrid", so it can't be plugged in. The plug-in hybrid only makes sense if you can plug it in at home to charge up the battery at every available opportunity. If you don't do that then it's essentially the same as fuelling a heavy petrol-only model.
In general, a diesel car is more efficient than a plug-in hybrid when it comes to long journeys and it sounds like that's what may suit your needs better.