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Thinking of getting a BMW i3...

Hi,

Are EVs exempt from VRT if looking to import one? Having trouble with the Passat and if and when it gets sorted my wife wants it gone and to treat ourselves so started looking at used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe but tow truck friend warning us away from the 2.0 diesels: "doesn't matter who had it, where or how often it's been serviced or easy life, they are all trouble." And 3.0 diesel harder to find here but still give timing chain trouble.

Son is 20 and learning to drive so depending on cost to fix may dictate keeping it so third car turning to a BMW i3. When I met my wife she drove a SEAT Arosa and we kept that and I used it for my backroad commute to work for years as economical second car runabout.

With fuel, both diesel and petrol rising it might tick a few boxes to look at small economical runabout, it's auto so will suit both wife and son and our first step into EV.

Earlier with the range extender seems lower on the recommend list compared to the later fully electric 2018 onwards or i3S model.

ROS VRT site looks like it has had an update and gave both i3 and i3S options but wasn't clever enough to blank out NOx and CO2 fields. When checking rates for i3S it auto filled a figure for NOx, which I just cancelled out.

Ideally I'd like to buy from a BMW or SIMI dealer with history and warranty and liked your article on importing from Northern Ireland.

Appreciate any advice on importing an i3 (or 4 Series Gran Coupe) from up North

Regards

Damien McGettrick (Lusk)

Sep 2024 Filed under: electric cars

Expert answer

Hi Damien,

First up, the BMW i3 is a great option for your needs based on what you told us. It's a cracking compact car that will cost you nothing to run and is an idea runabout. And yes, I'd agree that the fully electric version is the best one, especially when you have access to other cars in the household for longer journeys. 

I really like the 4 Series Gran Coupe as well, but understand the reticence to trust the diesel engines. Would you consider a petrol one instead perhaps? The NOx levy on the diesel on importation can be expensive as well. Because of potential engine issues I'd be inclined to stick with a local BMW dealer and get as good a warranty as you can.

Obviously electric cars don't emit any NOx or CO2, so it's a bit bizarre if Revenue's site can't deal with that... There is a VRT exemption up to €5,000 and anyway, it's only 7 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP).

If you're looking to buy in the North, just make sure the car has been registered and used by a private individual in the North for at least three months before you import it, and that must be verified by documentation. Then no VAT or import duty should be due, just VRT - and the NOx levy if applicable. 

Hopefully all that helps, but come back to us with other specific questions if you need more assistance of course.


Can I convert my commercial Land Cruiser?

Hi,

Currently driving a 2010 LWB Toyota Land Cruiser (commercial). Now with the arrival of two small boys, I cannot bring them with me when driving. Can I change it from commercial to business/passenger and if so what is the process for same?

Patrick Fitzgerald (Tipperary)

Sep 2024 Filed under: commercial vehicle

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

If the vehicle already has rear seats then all you need to do is inform your motor tax office of the change of use and pay the relevant motor tax increase. Check your insurance policy as well to ensure this is covered.

If the Land Cruiser has no rear seats then it's a much bigger job to convert it, and I'd suggest you enlist the services of one of the many companies specialising in this process. Do a search online and then try to find reviews of ones in your locale. In many cases, however, it may be more cost effective to just change your vehicle.


Should we go for a new or used Skoda Enyaq?

Hi

We have a 2020 SEAT Leon (most recent design) which we own outright. We are thinking of changing to an electric car, possibly an Enyaq. Can you please give a view on whether it’s better to go for a one-year-old Enyaq or to go for PCP on a new one (probably early next year) but we wish to minimise the cost of changing.

Suggestions on alternative but similar cars would also be appreciated which would maximise the value we might get for our car. Any advice on this conundrum would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Colin Ryan (Malahide)

Sep 2024 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Colin,

There's no definitive answer to this one as there are so many moving parts. First up, you'll get maximum value for your own car if you sell it privately. That is far less convenient than trading it in of course, but worth taking into consideration.

If you're going the trade-in route, there's no way to know for sure how much the cost to change will be until you start talking numbers with a dealer. I'd suggest you do that sooner rather than later with a number of different dealers to get a feel for the numbers involved. You don't need to commit to anything to do this. It'll take you time of course, but try to choose a few dealers that are not part of the same group or brand, and do the sums with them on both a new PCP and going for a used model as you mentioned.

Perhaps wait until the Budget announcements next month to see if there is anything new on EV incentives before committing to anything, but don't leave it much longer as some new cars can take a few months to arrive following an order.

The Enyaq is a fine electric car. Good alternatives include the Volkswagen ID.4 and forthcoming new Cupra Tavascan, plus the Renault Scenic. There's loads of choice at that price point.


Looking to buy a new small car for under €30,000.

I am looking to gift a car to my wife. With a range of 242 offers, I am inclined to buy a new one. She is still taking her driving lessons and needs hand controls to drive the car due to her foot disability.

She needs a small car with two mandatory features: an automatic transmission and adaptive cruise control. I have narrowed down some options with the budget I have for €30k, but confused what to consider: Suzuki Swift, Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Yaris Luna Hybrid, Dacia Sandero Stepaway or MG3 Hybrid? I am open to suggestions but it should have the two mandatory features.

Thanks

Ankit Gulati (Dublin)

Sep 2024 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Ankit,

Let's go through your list for a start:

Suzuki Swift: Even the top-spec model with loads of options comes in under budget, has adaptive cruise control and can be had with an automatic gearbox. Easy to drive, well-specified, should be reliable, though doesn't feel as substantial as some of the other cars listed. Read our Suzuki Swift reviews here.

Volkswagen Polo: Only the Style and R-Line versions come with adaptive cruise control, but those are slightly out of budget if fitted with the DSG automatic gearbox so unless you stretch the budget this isn't an option. That's a shame as it's probably the best car in this list all things considered. Read our Volkswagen Polo reviews here.

Toyota Yaris: The 1.5-litre hybrid is an automatic by default, and as you've identified, the Luna comes with adaptive cruise control. It's the only version in the Yaris lineup within budget with those items and it's an excellent car. The rear seats aren't huge, but the fronts are fine, it drives fantastically, should be very reliable and the hybrid system is efficient and good to drive. Quite likely the pick of the cars here all things considered. Read our Toyota Yaris reviews here.

Dacia Sandero Stepway: An automatic gearbox is available, and even the most expensive version is well within budget, but this car can't be had with adaptive cruise control - only the non-adaptive type is fitted. Otherwise, it's a spacious and well-equipped car for the money. Read our Dacia Sandero reviews here.

MG3: All versions are automatic and come with adaptive cruise control, so those boxes are ticked. And even the most expensive version is within budget so it's a realistic possibility. It's the most powerful car here, which is probably not important, but it's quite efficient as well. The Yaris is a more polished product, but the MG has a little more space. Read our MG3 reviews here.

Hopefully that's all of help. I'd strongly recommend you and your wife go check out a shortlist of cars in person and test drive them to see which you prefer, as it will come down to personal preference.

Let us know which you go for.


I won a 2010 Shogun!

I won a 2010 Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2. It was first registered in Nothern Ireland in March 2010 and as far as I can make out it remained there until it was delivered to me a few days ago.

What do I do next? We want to take the back seat out of it. Do I need an engineer report after I take out the seats, before I bring it to the NCT centre? And do I need to get a letter from Lucky Day competitions to say I won it?

Anita Jackson (Schull)

Jul 2024 Filed under:

Expert answer

Hi Anita,

Whether you won it or not, you will still be liable for all costs to import the vehicle and register it in the South. From the information you've given, we believe you'd only have VRT to pay. 

However, you will need to book an appointment to have the vehicle inspected at an NCT centre within seven days of it arriving in Ireland and you have 30 days to complete the procedure. I.e. you'll have to pay VRT on it as a passenger car if that's what it was on arriving in Ireland.

You can of course do the conversion afterwards. 


I'd like to import my 1999 Volkswagen T4...

Hi there,

I want to register my 1999 Volkswagen T4 from Germany. It has about 34,000km on the clock and just two seats. I cannot find this type of vehicle on the VRT calculator. How much will the VRT be approximately?

Thanks in advance

Viktoria Havlik (Killarney)

Jul 2024 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Viktoria,

If you've owned and used the vehicle in Germany yourself for more than six months and you are moving to Ireland then no VRT should be payable. Have a read of the Transfer of Residence rules from Revenue to see if that applies to you. 

If not, and the T4 is registered as a commercial vehicle, then VRT may be payable at a flat rate of just €200.


I just won a Mitsubishi Shogun!

Hi

I just won a prize of a Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2. I worked out the VRT at just over €400 is this about right? I want to take out the back seats and use it as a commercial SUV as I have a car already and I just want to use it to tow stuff. It was first registered in March 2010 and has 150,000 miles on the clock. What are the steps I have to take? The car was delivered to me today.

Anita Jackson (Schull)

Jul 2024 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Anita,

I'm not sure we have all the information here, but if I understand it correctly, it's a UK or Northern Ireland registered car that you've won and you're living in Ireland.

If it is registered as a passenger car then you'll have to import it as that and pay VRT and the NOx levy at least. If it was used in the North by someone other than a car dealer then that should be it, but if it has come from England, Scotland or Wales then you'll also have to pay VAT and import duty. 

With such an old diesel, the NOx levy could be up to €4,850, and I'm not sure how you calculated €400 for VRT. It's likely to be in the top band at 41 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price (i.e. the value Revenue places on the car in Ireland). Even if it's deemed to be worth only €5,000 (which is unlikely), the VRT would be €2,050.

If you decide to pay all these costs and register the Shogun here, then you can go about converting it to a commercial SUV, but that won't be cheap either I'm afraid as the work has to be certified afterwards.


Porsche Macan 4 or Audi Q6 e-tron?

I am considering purchasing either an Audi Q6 e-tron or Porsche Macan 4. Which would you advise?

Sean Cotter (Newtownmountkennedy)

Jul 2024 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

I drove the Macan 4 at its international launch (read that review here) and today the Audi Q6 e-tron on Irish roads so I can have a stab at comparing them, though bear in mind that both were high-spec cars. The Q6 e-tron I tested was the quattro model using the same two electric motors as the Macan 4, as well as the 100kWh (95kWh of which is usable) battery so these are quite comparable.

The Audi had loads of options though, including air suspension, so that undoubtedly alters how it drives. On that note, the Audi is a little more comfortable than the Porsche, but a little less involving and slower to respond to steering inputs and accelerator inputs. Both are very quiet, refined and smooth to drive, with the Audi slightly better in that regard. The Porsche has fractionally better 'blending' of the friction brakes and recuperation via the motors.

There's nothing to choose between them in terms of range, efficiency and charging capabilities.

Somewhat surprisingly, the Macan 4 has a marginally bigger boot and extra storage under the bonnet included in the price, while you have to pay Audi more to get the 'frunk' insert in the Q6. The rear seats of the Audi feel more spacious, however, than the Macan's.

The cabins are vastly different, but both of very high quality. I prefer the perfectly round steering wheel in the Porsche.

Finally, pricing: the comparable Audi is cheaper than the Porsche and there are more affordable versions of the Q6 e-tron - one with a smaller battery, another with rear-wheel drive - that there are no equivalents to in the Macan lineup.

So as you can see, no clear 'winner' as there are too many variables at work, but hopefully this helps you choose which is for you and your budget. 

Do let us know which one you go for. Both are lovely.


What to replace my Skoda Superb with?

Hi all,

I drive a 2016 Skoda Superb 2.0 diesel 150hp DSG hatch and would like to change as the mileage is now approaching 250,000km. I drive about 50,000km per annum of which two thirds is motorway. I have a fuel card so mpg is not a concern, more depreciation and service costs.

I am considering the following:

1. One-year-old Superb (similar spec) approx €45k

2. A new-model Superb (available July) approx €53k

3. An imported two-year-old 5 Series Touring (530e or 520d) approx €46k

Which would you recommend?

Many thanks

Michael (Clare)

Michael Sweeney (Tulla)

Apr 2024 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

I'd certainly suggest sticking with diesel given your driving profile so that easily rules out the 530e. Then things are not so clear cut.

There's a huge difference in price between the two used cars you're considering and the new Superb, which makes me wonder what you'd get in the used market for that same €53k (assuming you're buying outright, not on finance of course).

The used cars will have depreciated a little already of course, while the new one will depreciate more, relatively speaking, in its time owned by you. That's the sensible way of thinking, but there's nothing quite like a new car, either so only you can choose that.

Both the Superb and the 520d Touring are great cars, both similarly economical and comfortable, though the Skoda has the edge in terms of rear-seat space. The BMW is a little better to drive by way of compensation.

There's no right or wrong answer, in effect. I highly recommend you go and test drive as many representative cars as you can before you make the decision. 


Are these items covered under warranty?

I bought a SEAT Ibiza earlier this year.

I had to bring it back to the garage for screeching in the brakes, they replaced the pads but now I am told that the discs are gone; should they not have seen this? Also, are they covered under warranty? Is air conditioning covered under warranty as it turns out the gas is gone on this as well?

M Donnelly (Tipperary)

Sep 2023 Filed under: warranty

Expert answer

Hi Michelle,

You've not specified, but it sounds to us that this is a used car, not a new car. A used car warranty wouldn't usually cover consumables such as brakes but we'd hope they'd sort the air conditioning for you. 


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