How much VRT on a 2015 BMW 4 Series?
How much is VRT on a 2015 BMW 420 Sport?
Roy Stephenson (Baltinglass )Jan 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Roy,
You haven’t said whether this is a BMW 420i (petrol) or a 420d (diesel), so we’ve checked both. For a 420d diesel, the VRT charge is going to be in the region of €3,900 depending on the specific spec of the car. For a petrol 420i, it’s going to be pretty similar — around €3,500. There will be NOx tax charges on top of that, but thankfully even the older 4 Series diesel models were very NOx-efficient, just 23mg/km officially, so that’ll only be an extra €115 onto the VRT for the diesel. Oddly, the petrol 420i was actually a little worse off for NOx (28mg/km) so that’ll cost you €140 extra.
How much to tax a VW van privately?
How do I calculate the tax if I want to tax a 2.0-litre diesel Volkswagen Transporter privately?
John Fox (Freshford Kilkenny)Dec 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi John,
It goes back on to the old by-engine-capacity tax system, if you’re taxing a van as a private car, so if it has a 2.0 engine then you’re looking at €710 a year.
Can I commercialise a new Range Rover?
Hi, I recently spoke with the owner of a second hand BMW X5 and he has commercialised the car by taking out the middle safety belt for the second row. This basically turns it into a four-seater and apparently a commercial, like the Ford Kuga. My question is: is this legal and ok with Revenue, Customs etc? And if so is it possible to do the same with a brand new Range Rover Sport?
Thank you. Martin
Martin O’Meara (Schull)Dec 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
It depends on the age of the X5 as to whether this works. As long as it was registered pre-July 2018, then yeah — it’s fine and legal, although rather more in the letter of the law than the spirit. As for a new Range Rover Sport, the answer is no — that tax loophole was a closed off last year, so no-go I’m afraid.
I'll be transporting horses...
Hi,
I am looking into purchasing a vehicle for transporting horses (have the EB licence) and would like to know more about taxes for suitable vehicles for private use. If I were to purchase a Toyota Hilux, what tax bracket does it come under? If I were to look at a horse lorry (would have to get the licence) what tax do they come under if it's for private use vs commercial? Would be looking at a small lorry up to 7.5 tonne (max including load). Also, do you have an idea of rough costs of insurance for these vehicles?
Thanks
Clare Gallagher (Schull)Nov 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Clare,
A Hilux has a 2.4-litre engine (well, the current one does, but remember that older versions had 3.0-litre units) so if you want to tax it as a private vehicle that’s going to be €1,034 per year for motor tax. I’m pretty sure you can’t register and tax a horse lorry for private use as it’s over the 3,500kg limit for private cars. The tax therefore would be the commercial rate of €333 per year. As for insurance, that’s probably more down to you and your own driving record than it is to the vehicle, but the good news is that there are specialist horse lorry insurers, such as Wexford Insurance, who would probably be able to give you a good quote.
Which Skoda Octavia parts carry over?
What parts from a 2006 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI Sport will fit a 2002 Skoda Octavia 1.4 petrol?
Tony Halpin (Abbeyfeale)Nov 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
The second-generation Octavia launched in 2004, which means you're most likely looking at two completely different generations of the model. There will be some small number of parts potentially shared across both, but not a lot at all, especially as the engines are also different.
Can I fix my Audi's slow gearbox response?
Hi,
I have a 2019 Audi Q3 35 TDI S tronic and it's a great car, but with an annoying trait, especially in heavy traffic in Galway, Dublin etc. The gearbox is hesitant and dim-witted and changes into second gear in about five metres after take off, even going uphill, which leaves it very lethargic. It seems to hesitate for 1 to 1.5 seconds, which means it's hard to nip into gaps in traffic. Have you heard of any cure or is this a trait of this gearbox?
Thanks,
Pat Higgins, Galway
Pat Higgins (Galway)Nov 2019 Filed under: gearbox
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
We certainly have noticed this trait in all Volkswagen Group DSG-based gearboxes (that's what the S tronic transmission is) and their attendant engines of late. The only explanation seems to be that VW’s various brands have trimmed back both engine power and responsiveness at low speeds, and especially at idle or when waking up from a stop-start cycle, in order to optimise their figures in the new WLTP emissions and economy tests. VW is certainly not the only one to do this, but it does seem to be more obvious with VW Group models than with some other manufacturers. Shifting the gearbox into Sport helps a bit, but it’s not a total fix.
One cure might be a total vehicle upgrade — we’ve noticed that the new ‘Evo’ versions of the 1.5 TSI petrol and 2.0 TDI diesel engines are noticeably less sleepy. Or, alternatively, trade in for a version with a manual gearbox — that is the simplest cure of all.
What's up with my Audi brakes?
Hi.
In May 2018 I bought an Audi A3 Sportback 1.0 turbo (pre-reg Jan 2018). Around Oct/Nov I noticed a metallic grinding noise when reversing slowly out of my driveway and also reversing from a car parking spot. Initially told "probably lack of use" as my mileage was and is low (now 11,600km). Early in 2019 went back three or four times and they could not find anything wrong. They suggested the brake material. I had no more problems until now when the problem is back. The dealer is an Audi dealer and I believe they did their best to sort me out. I am wondering if the problem is brake material together with my little use (and short trips) of the car. There is no problem driving forward. Can you suggest what might be wrong?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Oct 2019 Filed under: brakes
Expert answer
Hi F D,
Sounds to me like the Audi garage had it right. The rear callipers could be binding slightly, or perhaps even the parking brake mechanism is sticking. Very limited use in any car can do that. If you know you're not going to be using it for a long time, consider parking it up without using the parking brake (if safe and feasible). Leave the car in gear and place something in front of the tyres for extra safety.
Which 2017 estate to go for?
Hi,
I want to upgrade my old Ford Focus Estate (2005) as it's not very economical. Would like another estate but don't know if I should go for diesel or petrol or a different make of estate. Hoping to purchase a 2017.
Thanks a mill
Margot
Margot O'Leary (KINSALE)Oct 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Margot,
Well, you could go for the alternative option to both — the Toyota Auris Hybrid estate. Lots of space and excellent economy. I’ve put my reputation on the line recommending these to a couple of friends recently and so far, I’ve not been told off for sticking them with a bad car...
Other good alternatives are the Peugeot 308 SW, the Kia Ceed SportWagon, the VW Golf Estate and the Skoda Octavia Combi. The only issue, really, is finding any of these — estate sales in Ireland are so small that you may have to consider an import.
Here are our relevant reviews to help you decide:
How much VRT on imported Honda Civic?
Hi!
I'm having trouble calculating the VRT due on a car that I'm thinking of buying from Northern Ireland. The VRT Calculator on the ROS website doesn't seem to have the exact spec I'm looking at, although the car is for sale in Ireland too. It's a Honda Civic - five-door hatchback, 1.5-litre petrol engine, manual transmission, 12,000 miles, registered November 2017. If you have any advice that would be great!
Thanks, Katie
Katie Hughes (Meath)Sep 2019 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Katie,
OK, it’s only a rough calculation, but assuming that it’s a Civic VTEC Turbo 1.5 Sport, we reckon that’ll cost you around €2,600 in VRT.
Can our business register a commercial?
I have a registered business in Ireland. It is a dental practice. But I am not VAT-registered as we do not charge VAT on services. Can I still buy a commercial vehicle and register it through the business and tax it on a commercial basis? I understand that I would have to pay the VAT on the vehicle, but the savings in the motor tax would greatly beneficial.
Shane Curran (Westport )Aug 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Shane,
Yes you can — anyone can buy a commercial vehicle and tax it as a commercial, but the restriction is on use. If you’re using it for personal use (i.e: literally anything other than going to and from work, or transporting items for work), then you really ought to register it as a private car and tax it accordingly. It's a major fine if you’re caught displaying incorrect tax.