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Hi Wayne,

I think it's a good time to change into an EV if it suits your needs. With that mileage, you really would have to have a charger at home to keep the cost down and to make charging as convenient as possible.

Once you do make the changeover you'll never want to go back. I speak from experience on that score (we're on our second new EV) despite still classing myself as a 'petrolhead'. A Volkswagen ID.4 did us well for three years on PCP (we also have three kids and that car had ample room for our needs) before we replaced it this year.

Don't expect technology and range to dramatically improve overnight as that just won't happen - it'll be a gradual improvement with each year. PCP is well suited to making that change without worrying too much about future values.

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Hi Adrian,

There is VRT relief on first registration of an electric car in Ireland, which effectively means no VRT for most imports such as that Tesla.

VRT would be payable on importing a Skoda PHEV, though as the CO₂ emissions rating is so low for those, the VRT would be relatively low as well - likely to be just seven per cent of the OMSP (the Open Market Selling Price as determined by Revenue).

Regardless of what powers the car you import from the North, VAT and customs duty liability depends only on whether the car was imported into the North properly and used there by a private individual for a “reasonable amount of time” - generally accepted to be three months.

I suggest you read our Guide to Importing a Car from Northern Ireland feature to gain more understanding.

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Hi Benjamin,

I'm afraid we can't shine any more light on your situation from the information provided. Every garage has a different labour rate for a start, but what does stand out is that the garage went ahead and did more work than initially agreed without getting your approval. That should not happen.

Also, are you sure it was an engine oil cooler that was replaced? I don't see how that would be related and the sum of €530 to remove and refit the gearbox, plus a new oil cooler, plus "cleaning" the old sensor seems low. 

I can only assume that, for the initially quoted €200, the garage assumed it could get away without removing the gearbox and without actually replacing the part. 

I strongly suggest you find an alternative garage to deal with and state that no extra work is to be done beyond that agreed without further discussion.

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Hi Ciara,

We're in the same situation (without the pooch, sadly) so I understand your needs for sure. There are no electric Skoda estates as yet (at least one is on the way in the next few years, but that'll be too late for you), but there have been plug-in hybrid options. Not sure if you're buying new or used, but the current Superb Combi can be had new as a plug-in hybrid and it's an exceptional car. You'll find some of the previous-gen on the used market as well.

Other fully electric estate options include the MG5, but come back to us with your budget and new/used preference if you want us to help you narrow your search.

Expert answer

Hi Joshua,

The belt in your car is a 'long life' belt and doesn't need to be checked until it has passed 240,000km.

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Hi John,

It entirely depends on how you drive it and where. First up, in terms of actual range you'd get from a tank of fuel, it's worth noting that the Corolla's fuel tank is about a quarter smaller than the Octavia's.

The Corolla hybrid can certainly match the economy of a diesel in certain circumstances, but it really does depend on how it's driven. If you're someone always in a hurry and you like to use all the available performance regularly, then the diesel car is most likely more economical. If you're a gentle driver the Corolla is more efficient.

For lots of motorway driving, the diesel is most likely more economical, but if you only use the motorway a little, I'd suggest the hybrid is better.

Longer term, the diesel model will have bigger maintenance bills as well, so that's something else to consider. 

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Hi Joseph,

Yes, that model of Superb would have a DPF and EGR system. It is possible that someone could have removed the DPF, but it would be very difficult to remove the EGR system.

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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. 

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Hi Patrick,

The exact figure will be on the car's log book, and we assume you mean the 1.5 TSI 150 as the 1.5-litre engine only came in that guise in the Karoq.

We found data for three different UK trim lines (I'm assuming you're looking at importing from the UK) and all came back with a NOx rating of 29mg/km. However, the highest CO₂ rating for these cars was 127g/km, not 133g/km, so it's possible that the actual NOx figure of the car you're looking at might be a little higher than 29mg/km.

It won't be much higher anyway so that's a good estimate for you to calculate the NOx levy from.

Expert answer

Hi Ger,

There's no harm in changing a belt early, other than additional cost. It could well be that the dealers have been given more up to date information. If in any doubt, call up a different dealer and ask about the schedule for your car.