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Hi Mat,

The Tarraco XCellence Lux isn’t actually officially offered in Ireland, but it is available in the UK. It’s basically an XCellence with 20-inch wheels, leather sports seats, electric seat adjustment, ’top view’ parking camera and a winter pack with heated front and rear seats and headlamp washers.

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Hi Sean,

The short answer is that we don’t know yet — the XCeed is only going to be first shown to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, and so that means we’re a long way from Irish prices and specs just yet. However, we can make an educated guess. Kia in Ireland tends to offer a single specification for its niche models, such as the Proceed sports estate and the e-Soul electric car, so it’s possible that the XCeed will follow suit. In fact, and I must emphasise that is is a guess, I’d expect that the XCeed and the Proceed will probably be closely aligned on price and spec, with the XCeed coming in just a little cheaper than the Proceed’s €28,946. The Proceed comes, as standard, with an eight-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless smartphone charging, 17-inch alloy wheels, lane keeping assistance and auto-dip high-beam lights (among other items).

We do know that items such as connected services and a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster will be available as options, but we’ll just have to wait and see what Kia Ireland comes up with when the car is launched here.

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Hi Jacinta,

Yes, you can. Anyone can buy a commercial vehicle and take advantage of the lower rates of VRT — that’s fine. The only tricky part comes, as you rightly point out, when it comes to taxing them. Then you have to tax the vehicle as a private car, and that means (for some bizarre reason) reverting to the old  by-engine-capacity tax, which obviously is going to be a bit pricey for a 3.0 Hilux. Maybe consider a 2.0-litre turbo VW Amarok, as that will bring down your annual motor tax bill considerably. 

Read this for more: Buying a commercial vehicle for private use

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Hi Kris,

The problem is that Irish insurers are a bit blunt-force when it comes to deciding their rates, and generally speaking (and completely erroneously) they simply tend to go by engine size. So even though there are plenty of older 1.9-2.0-litre diesel engines with similar power outputs to a more modern 1.6, they’ll probably quote you more just because it’s a bigger engine. Stupid, but then that pretty much sums up the insurance industry in Ireland. All I can suggest is either biting the bullet and getting a 1.6 that maybe you’re not as keen on, or finding a really good local broker who can help you track down quotes that us mere mortals can’t find. 

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Hi Steve,

I’m going to say probably not, but this is an utter minefield and you’ll probably get a dozen different answers from as many people. The problem is that Volkswagen doesn’t sell the California, or any current T6 Transporter variant, in the US, so you’d have to try and get it past the personal import regulations. If, for any reason, the car can’t pass those tests, then there’s no appeals process, at least not as I understand it. You can import it temporarily as a tourist, but it would have to be re-exported again within 12 months.

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Hi Claire,

Both are really good cars, and I think it would be the Audi that we’d — just — come down on the side of. It’s not as cool to look at as the CLA, obviously, but the ride quality is better and that makes a big difference on Irish roads. It’s also a fraction more practical than the Mercedes and, if you can find one with the excellent 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine, then you’re onto a winner. Basically, it’s the Audi if you want practicality, or the Mercedes if you’re more interested in style.

Read our Audi A3 reviews here

Read our Mercedes-Benz CLA reviews here

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Hi Debbie,

It doesn't sound to us as if this is anything to do with the stop-start system, but actually an issue with the engine itself that needs looking at by a good mechanic. You've not told us which generation of EcoSport you have, nor which engine it has, but the 1.5-litre TDCi diesel has a known issue with the turbocharger wastegate valve that could cause engine running issues. It might be worth mentioning to the mechanic when you bring it to be checked.

Best of luck

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Hi John,

I think a word with your accountant would be the best option as there are hoops to be jumped through for registering and taxing a car as a commercial, especially a five-seater. The bigger issue by far could be getting you insured, as most insurers will see the words ‘Range Rover Sport’ and '21-years old’ and run a mile.

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Hi Roisin,

You’ll be exempt from VAT as the car has done more than 4,000km, but not VRT I’m afraid as you’ve owned it for less than six months. 

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Hi Owen,

You can, but it will be a squeeze. The 520d is a little narrow across the back for three car seats (an Audi A6 or a Volvo S80 would probably be better bets in this regard), but there are ways you can get around it. Obviously the newborn and the two-year old will need quite  bulky seats for a while yet, but for the four-year old you could potentially look at an inflatable booster cushion (depending on how tall they are). These tend to be a bit more narrow than a hard-frame booster, and a bit easier to squeeze in as a result. Another option is a conversion kit for the back seat that can accommodate as many as four child car seats in a special frame, but that can cost as much as €2,000 to do.