Tricky to import a petrol Dacia Duster?
I'm interested in a new Dacia Duster, but petrol not diesel. Dacia Ireland doesn't offer the petrol model, so I'm contemplating a new UK petrol Duster imported by me. I'm aware of the import process, but are there any likely problems? I'm especially thinking about insurance issues if it's a model not routinely sold in Ireland and also the VRT valuation process for a model not usually available here.
Any thoughts, please?
Paul Marsden (Mohill)Oct 2017 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
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.
Petrol or diesel in a new Mondeo?
Living in Dublin and drive under 10,000 miles per annum, does a 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol make more sense than a 2.0-litre 150hp diesel? Does a new 181 model make sense versus a circa 161 at €10k less? Seems to be a better selection of 151-162 models in Northern Ireland - is this a good option to pursue?
Thank you
Mike
Mike Barry (Dublin)Oct 2017 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
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.
Which seven-seat SUV would you buy?
Which seven-seat SUV that has low road tax would you buy? I’m thinking of buying new.
Brian O Rourke (Dungarvan)Oct 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
I’d be very tempted by the new Peugeot 5008, especially the one with the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol 130hp engine. It’s really roomy, comes with seven seats as standard, is good to drive and even with the petrol engine isn’t too harsh on tax. The Skoda Kodiaq is another very, very good seven-seat SUV, but you do have to pay extra for the extra seats. Kia’s Sorento is a big favourite of ours too, but it’s bigger and pricier and has higher tax than the Peugeot or Skoda. Here are our reviews to help you decide:
Should I stick with diesel for a new Kodiaq?
I am ordering (PCP) a Skoda Kodiaq and want to order the 150hp diesel 4x4. I am seriously concerned, however, about diesel 'issues' and don't want to face any anticipatable difficulties in the short and possibly medium term.
The alternative is the non 4x4 150hp 1.4 petrol version. Have read several of the reviews, see some merits, but fuel economy seems poor and fear the occasions when car might be fully loaded. I appreciate no one can know what stance the government may take on diesel, but do not want equity eroded at end of PCP. I drive about 24k kilometres annually.
Many thanks
Pat
Paul McDonald (Dublin)Sep 2017 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
At 24k a year you’re probably best going for diesel, to be honest. While we’re equally in the dark as regards what the Budget holds in store for us, it seems (at the time of writing) unlikely that any drastic moves are going to be made just yet. There’s also an urban/rural divide in all of this. If you live in the Dublin, and to a slightly lesser extent, Cork, Limerick, Wateford and Galway city areas, then there is a distinct move away from diesel and towards petrol, but in rural areas, diesel is still king.
That said, the 150hp 1.4-litre TSI turbo engine is absolutely excellent, and we’ve found that while it is, of course, less economical than the equivalent diesel, you’re only talking about 1.0 litre per 100km or so in the real-world difference. It’s well worth considering if you’re concerned about future diesel values.
Will hybrid VRT relief change in the Budget?
I would welcome your opinion on the upcoming 2018 Irish Budget in November. The current VRT relief on hybrid cars is €1,500. In light of current poor sales of hybrid cars in Ireland (two per cent of total Irish sales), do you see them raising this value or could they possibly withdraw it?
I ask this because I am planning to purchase a hybrid for 181 and I would like to take advantage of the 'increased' value.
Michael Carey (Letterkenny)Aug 2017 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
I would expect to see little to no change in the hybrid subvention in the coming budget. Although there will be some pressure to incentivise low-emissions cars that aren’t diesel, the focus will probably be more on higher incentives for battery-electric cars, and possible plugin hybrids, and some changes to the reclaiming of VAT on petrol for company users. The Department of Finance will be well aware that there is a huge number of new hybrid cars due for launch, and they won’t want to risk a fall-off in revenue by increasing the subvention, so I think, at this point, it’s unlikely to change very much.
Will there be Budget changes for 2018 VRT?
Budget 2018 and the hybrid reduction amount of €1,500 on a new Kia Niro: in your opinion. would you expect this figure (VRT reduction) to increase, based on the fact that hybrids have not been selling very well this year (two per cent of total sales in Ireland), and the government needs to encourage hybrid sales. Hence, I would wait until the budget is announced before buying my 2018.
Thanking you as always for your expert opinion.
Michael Carey (Letterkenny)Aug 2017 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi again Michael,
Our answer on your other question is relevant here too: I would expect to see little to no change in the hybrid subvention in the coming budget. Although there will be some pressure to incentivise low-emissions cars that aren’t diesel, the focus will probably be more on higher incentives for battery-electric cars, and possible plugin hybrids, and some changes to the reclaiming of VAT on petrol for company users. The Department of Finance will be well aware that there is a huge number of new hybrid cars due for launch, and they won’t want to risk a fall-off in revenue by increasing the subvention, so I think, at this point, it’s unlikely to change very much.
How much VRT on a BMW 4 Series?
Hi,
How much VRT would be payable on a 2015 BMW 430 M Sport Convertible? First reg. 5/6/2015.
Thanks
Lukas Broda (Dublin)Aug 2017 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Lukas,
Is that a petrol 430i? If so, VRT should be in the region of €6,000-€7,000, but without more details, that’s just a pure finger-in-the-air calculation.
Should I stretch my car's legs regularly?
Thanks very much for your reply on fuel additives for a Skoda. In the normal event, it is probably the case that an engine doesn't get raced very often, and probably runs at fairly low revs most, if not all, of the time. Is there a benefit in running an engine, either petrol or diesel, from time to time at high revs and, if so, how often and for how long?
Your review of the Jaguar F-Type 2.0-litre was very interesting. I have one comment about the engine noise. There are times driving on a back road when it is a pleasure to hear an engine crackle and roar, but perhaps not always. I was driving along a long Spanish sea side resort behind an F-Type, where there were ramps and pedestrian crossings every couple of hundred yards. My thoughts were that one could quickly get tired of that roar every time the car started off again.
Perhaps, that's just me getting old and grumpy!
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Aug 2017 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
On the Jaguar front, first of all thanks for the compliment. As far as noise goes, I don’t think I’d ever tire of the F-Type’s V6 sounds, but that four-cylinder model is hugely impressive (and very refined) all the same.
As for running a car up and down its rev range, yes, it’s a good idea. Engines perform best (especially in fuel economy terms) when held at constant, low rpm (such as on a long motorway journey), but from a mechanical point of view it’s a good idea, once in a while, to stretch things out, warm things up, and get things moving.
How do I calculate VRT on a Countryman?
I'm looking at importing a MINI Countryman from the UK, but the revenue site doesnt even have that version under MINI, never mind the model. I'm asking if you know of a point of contact to get an approximation from before importing as I don't want to arrive at an NCT centre and get told that I owe something crazy.
Thanks
Pat, Slane
Pat Ryan (Ballina)Aug 2017 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
The Countryman is in the Revenue VRT calculator, but it’s in an odd position. You have to select Cooper, One, or First, then pick Hatchback as the body style and then once you’ve selected the usual petrol or diesel, manual or auto functions, you should find the Countryman models in there.
How much to tax an imported MINI?
If I bring a 2004 MINI home, how much will road tax be for its 1.6-litre petrol engine?
John O Sullivan (Tralee)Aug 2017 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi John,
A pre-2008 car being imported means that it’s on the new CO2-based system. A 2004 MINI Cooper 1.6 has CO2 emissions of 163g/km so you’ll be paying €570 a year to tax it.