Should I be worried about a late NCT?
Considering buying a 2007 Volkswagen Golf. On the Cartell.ie check it showed that the NCT due in 04/15 was not completed until 04/16; should this be a cause for concern?
Sandra, Clonmel
Sandra Mulcahy (Clonmel)Apr 2016 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Sandra,
Yes, very. Someone who’s not completing their NCT on time is someone who, for whatever reason, is not looking after their car properly. Avoid.
Thinking of buying a high-mileage Mondeo.
Thinking of purchasing an 09 Ford Mondeo diesel diesel with 184,000km on the clock. Should I be worried about the mileage? Is there a better saloon car that you would recommend for long distance driving?
Laura Brown (Dublin)Apr 2016 Filed under: mileage
Expert answer
Hi Laura,
No, the mileage isn’t an issue in and of itself. It all depends how well the car has been cared for. If it comes with a full service history and a stack of paperwork showing how much care and attention the previous owner has lavished on it, then the mileage simply isn’t a worry. If it comes with a sparsely stamped service book and no paperwork, walk away.
What's the VRT on a 2008 Lexus IS?
What's the VRT on a 2008 Lexus IS 2.2, priced £4,000 Sterling?
Camillus Keogh (Meath Balrath)Apr 2016 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Camillus,
Ok, I think you might be about to have a MASSIVE row with Revenue over this one...
Lexus IS diesels of that age are ridiculously cheap in the UK. Your £4,000 isn't even the cheapest I've seen.
Here at home though, they're massively over-priced. I've seen some advertised at north of €16,000 and that's the sort of figure Revenue is going to value the car at. With 168g/km of CO2 that means 27 per cent VRT and a bill therefore of around €4,000 to €5,000. Which is just ridiculous for a car that's cost you, in cash, about the same amount. But unless you can show that the car would be worth significantly less in Ireland than other advertised IS 220ds then you're stuck with it I'm afraid.
I'd like to bring my car to the UK with me...
Hi,
I am a student studying in a UK university and looking to bring my Irish car from home over here. I'm going to be studying on my course for another two years after this year and then hope to return back to Ireland post-graduation. How do I go about bringing my car over? As far as I know, the AA (my insurance company) will cover me in the UK just like they cover me in Ireland at no extra cost. The car is also already taxed for the year. I'd preferably like to keep the Irish plates on to avoid the hassle of changing plates now and then back again in the future.
Thank you.
John Joe (Meath Balrath)Mar 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi John,
Sorry, but you'll have to change the plates - if you're bringing a car into the UK you only have to inform HMRC of the car's arrival within 14 days and then begin the re-registering process. The maximum time you could use the car on Irish plates for would be six months. The good news is that the process is relatively painless - you will have to get an MOT test done as the NCT won't be recognised, but other than that it's just some forms to fill out. If it's an older car you won't be liable for any VAT or duty so it'll only cost a little. You can find more details here - https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/overview
When will the Volkswagen T-Cross arrive?
Hi, I saw a picture of a T-Cross Breeze at the Geneva Motor Show, a convertible version, which I believe is based on the Volkswagen Polo platform. Have you any idea when either the hard top or soft top version might become available?
Cheers and thanks
P
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Mar 2016 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Volkswagen has made no announcement as yet, but we are expecting a new Polo-sized SUV to appear on sale in 2017 at some stage. I really doubt there'll be a three-door or open-topped version though.
I'm struggling with buying a petrol car...
Hi,
Trying to buy a replacement for my 1999 Avensis and the scarcity of petrols and abundance of diesels on the market baffles me. I don't think it wise to buy diesel for my standard drive of eight miles to work and home and same six days a week with road trip round 300 miles just six times a year.
This is supposedly "economical" and "green driving" even though in London it costs more for a permit going into city with diesel car and trends in London have historically impacted directly on us in three to five years. I would love to know of a diesel car 2008-2011 (for cheap tax) with no necessary DPF that I have to worry about, or will I stick to petrol believing that in five years time petrol is a more saleable/popular engine than diesel is? Then there might be a hybrid to suit. Volkswagen, Japanese or any good 1.4+ hatch or saloon suggestions?
Thanks,
Pauline.
Pauline Anne Connor (Galway)Feb 2016 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Pauline,
You're absolutely 100 per cent dead right - diesel is not for everyone and especially not for those with overall low mileages and short commutes. And as the recent emissions scandal has shown us, diesel exhaust can be staggeringly bad for your health.
As for finding a diesel without a DPF filter, I'm not sure you'll be able to. In order to meet the particulate emissions legislation under EuroV and EuroVI regulations you pretty much had to have one. Some people have, of course, removed the DPF to avoid maintenance issues, but then you're just spewing out a plume of highly carcinogenic soot particles as you drive...
So, I think your best bet is to go for a compact turbocharged petrol engine or, just maybe, a hybrid. The Toyota Prius would potentially be ideal for your daily drive, but could be a bit of an over-thirsty pain on that six-time-a-year longer journey. Try instead a car fitted with the Volkswagen Group's excellent 1.2-litre TSI turbo petrol engine (Golf or Skoda Octavia are the best ones), a Ford Focus with the 1.0 EcoBoost engine or maybe an Opel Astra 1.4 Turbo. Here are a few relevant reviews for you to consult:
Should we go for a new Kia Sportage?
I was wondering if it would be a wise move to trade in our old Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate 1.8 petrol for the brand new Kia Sportage 1.7 diesel. I was very impressed by the high spec model in the showroom.
Mary Bruton (Dublin)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
It could well be a good idea. If you like the looks and the cabin of the Sportage, there's no questioning that it's a sensible, reliable and frugal car. Well priced too. Read our Kia Sportage review here.
Is a PCP right for me in retirement?
I'm approaching 66 and recently had to retire. My state pension will be around €230 when it comes in March plus a small work pension of €57 a week. My car, an Audi A2, is a 2001 reg. It's showing signs of age and as it's an obsolete model services are expensive. I would have 3,000 maybe 3,500 Euros to put towards an upgrade. Can you advise me as to whether I should opt for a new car and a repayment plan or get a second-hand one?
Angela O'Sullivan
Angela O'Sullivan (Waterville)Jan 2016 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Angela,
I think a PCP plan would be entirely wrong for you, because they really only work if you're intending to come back in three years' time to trade in again. I'm guessing you don't want to do that.
Your Audi is worth about €2,000 so put that together with your €3,000 and we're looking at a budget of around €5,000. That's great because that will get you into a 2007 Honda Jazz - one of the best small cars around. It's spacious, comfortable, frugal and above all reliable. You simply can't go wrong with one.
Hybrid and electric cars are not the future...
This is not really a question, just a comment. I just don't understand all this hype about electric and hybrid cars. I live in an apartment, probably way more than half the world lives in apartments or cities where recharging is not feasible. It doesn't look like the future to me.
Cheers
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Jan 2016 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
A very, very good point. However, I disagree with you on your broader 'hype about electric cars' comment - the only way we're going to be able to keep motoring, to keep some sort of private, personal transport going, is with electric cars. Now, whether that's with just batteries, or whether that's with hydrogen power or something else that hasn't yet been thought of, I don't know. But the days of digging up Jurassic forests in liquid form and burning them in engines is coming to a rapid close - it's not just about CO2 and global climate change anymore either; the Volkswagen scandal has shown that we've been slowly and insidiously poisoning ourselves with other gases from car engines too. Some 1,200 people in Ireland this year will die from respiratory illness brought on by pollution, a major multiple of those who will be killed in road accidents.
Your apartment point is well made though, and shows just what a period of transition we are currently in. A huge investment is needed to create an environment where electric vehicles can work simply and sensibly, and for all the efforts put in recently to install charging points and fast chargers, it's not nearly enough. Governments and energy companies, and the car makers too, will all have a major role to play in this, but it's just that no-one's playing enough of a role just yet.
Does this 141 Audi A3 Saloon sound ok?
I am seeing a 141 (2014 Apr) Audi A3 Saloon 2.0 TDI 150hp, SE with Milano leather, a good spec car overall and has done only 10,000km so far. The price being quoted is €25,000. I am actually worried because the price quoted is low for its value. What could the seller be hiding? Any suggestions to help not to get cheated? Seller is a dealer (not SIMI) and has no problems me getting a Audi showroom health check.
Gokul Gurijala (Cork)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Gokul,
It's not massively cheap, maybe a couple of grand below the average asking price, but with just 10,000km on it, it does look a touch suspicious. Independent dealers can be, shall we say, very variable in their quality of sales and service, but maybe ask around and see if others in the area have had any experience.