Toyota Avensis or Mazda CX-5?
I am driving approx 52k yearly in a 1.6-litre diesel 161 VW Passat with 125,000km on the clock. Thinking of changing to a 171 Mazda CX-5 2.2 with 62,000km or a 161 Toyota Avensis 2.0-litre with 98,000km. Which is the better option or is there another I should be looking at?
Mags
Mags Smith (CARRICK-ON-SHANNON)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mags,
OK, there’s a bit of a balance to be struck, here. The Avensis would, normally, be a good, solid choice and of the two cars you’ve mentioned, it’s the more economical overall. However, we’re always slightly wary of cars that may have been used in the past as taxis, so you’d want to carefully check the history on that one, using Cartell.ie, for example.
The Mazda CX-5 is one of our favourite cars, but if it’s a 2017 model you’re looking at, then you’d want to make sure that it’s the second-generation CX-5 — not that the older car is bad or anything, but the newer version is a deal more sophisticated and refined, so worth stretching the budget for. The current version arrived in Ireland during 2017. It would be a bit thirstier than the Avensis but of the two it would be our choice.
Others worth looking at? Honda’s CR-V is always an excellent choice (massively roomy, hugely reliable), VW Passat (go for the estate), or the Skoda Superb. Here are a few our reviews to help:
Will a Toyota warranty be ok on an import?
I am importing a 2017 Toyota Avensis 1.6 Business Diesel from the UK to Ireland. There is a seven-year manufacturer's warranty on the car. Does this transfer to the Republic of Ireland?
Johnnie O'Malley (Ballina)Jun 2020 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi Johnnie,
Are you quite sure that it’s a seven-year warranty? Toyota UK generally offers a five-year warranty, which is the standard pan-European three-year warranty, topped up for an extra two years by the UK importer. In Ireland, Toyota only offers the standard three-year warranty, so it’s unlikely that the extra two years of the UK one will be honoured here, as it’s a market-specific offer.
Tax and insurance on a 2009 Toyota RAV4?
What's the annual road tax on a 2009 Toyota RAV4 D4D? Will the insurance be high on it as well?
Jacqui Turvey (Carrick )Jun 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Jacqui,
With CO2 emissions of 173g/km, a 2009 RAV4 diesel is going to be in Band E for motor tax, which means €750 a year. As for insurance, it shouldn’t be too bad, but as ever, Irish insurance is a minefield and often depends more on you and your record than the car, so make sure you take the time to shop around.
Is there a BIK tax reduction for hybrids?
Hi guys,
I’ve opted for a Toyota Corolla hybrid for my next company car. My question is, is there a reduction in BIK tax for hybrid electric cars in Ireland?
Niall Carson (Athy)Jun 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Niall,
I’m afraid not. Revenue only applies BIK relief to electric cars and flatly states that ‘hybrids do not count as electric vehicles.’ BIK is calculated on the value of the car and the annual mileage, not on the CO2 emissions of the car. That may change in the coming months, with the new FG-FF-Green coalition promising to review the motor taxation system, but for now, there’s no BIK benefit to driving a hybrid.
Can I import a Land Cruiser as commercial?
Hi there,
Wondering if you can clarify something for me about importing a Toyota Land Cruiser from the UK for commercial use in Ireland. Does the vehicle need to have been commercially registered in the UK, which I think is N1, before it can be imported and taxed as commercial in Ireland? I've tried searching for commercial vehicles in the UK but there are only a handful of vehicles listed whereas there are thousands of the same model vehicle (Toyota Land Cruiser) listed as having been privately registered.
Many thanks in advance
Ken
Ken O'Sullivan (Lahinch)Jun 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Ken,
It depends on what exactly we’re talking about here. If it’s a two-seat Land Cruiser with a cargo bay in the back, then Revenue should treat it as a purely commercial vehicle for VRT purposes, even if you later go on to tax it as a private vehicle. If, though, it’s a four-seat model that has been categorised as an N1 in the UK, Revenue won’t accept it as a van here anymore, and it’ll be charged at the full passenger car VRT rate.
Used Avensis or Passat for 25k a year?
I do on average 25,000km a year. Live in the country. I have a choice between 142 1.6 Volkswagen Passat (246,000km, €8,800), 142 1.6 VW Passat (180,000km, €9,500), 131 2.0 Toyota Avensis (198,000km €8,950) or 2012 2.0 Avensis (146,000km €8,000).
Advice welcome
James McDonagh (Curry)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi James,
OK, at 25,000km per year, you’re just about over the line for diesel to make good sense for you. Both the Passat and the Avensis are rugged, reliable cars so they’re both good choices. The Passat has the nicer interior and is more comfortable overall, and that 1.6-litre diesel is remarkably economical (we once drove from Galway to Glasgow, via Belfast, and back on one tank…).
However, the Avensis would have an edge on overall reliability, which, when dealing with cars of this sort of mileage and age, could be significant. I’d say, on balance, go for one of the Avensis, but carefully check over the history and condition of each car, and go for the one that’s the best in those regards, rather than mileage or price. Oh, and as with any four-door saloon with high mileage, check to make sure that neither has been previously used as a taxi. We recommend Cartell.ie for a full history check.
Looking for used electric or hybrid SUV...
Hi,
I am in the market for second hand car and would like to buy a small hybrid or electric SUV; what would you suggest? I am very confused as there are so many different cars out there now. I have been looking at the CH-R and Kona Electric, but think they are overpriced. Do you think now is a good time to buy or should I wait?
Catherine, Dublin
CATHERINE OCONNOR (DALKEY)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
Now is a good time to buy a hybrid, that’s for certain, but given that the Toyota C-HR and Hyundai Kona are among the very few hybrid crossovers currently on sale, you may struggle a little to find choice beyond those two models. It could be well worth looking at a Toyota Corolla or Auris hatchback or estate instead — they’re more practical, in any case, and there’s very little actual difference in height. Alternatively, there’s the Kia Niro hybrid, which was on sale from 2017. Prices for early Niros are now down to around €20,000, and they’ll still be under warranty until 2024.
What to buy with up to €12,000 to spend?
Looking for model recommendations for a used car. My requirements: automatic, cruise control, air conditioning, 1.6-2.0-litre, €10,000-12,000 available.
David Murphy (Dundalk)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi David,
OK, we found a few good options, via Carzone, but there are plenty more if you have a look.
How about a BMW 5 Series? It’s top of budget, but we found a 131-reg 520d in SE spec, with auto, air conditioning and cruise. A fabulous car to drive, and perfect for long journeys. Used BMW 5 Series for sale on Carzone. Maybe check out our BMW 5 Series F10 (2010-2017) used car buying guide if that piques your interest.
Or, if you need something a little more practical (and also faultlessly reliable) how about a Mazda6 Estate 150hp diesel? It’s a 2015 car, and they’re as good to drive as they are to look at. Used Mazda6 for sale on Carzone. (Read our Mazda6 reviews here).
Are commercial vehicle rules being broken here?
Hi,
I have a commercial vehicle, a Land Rover Discovery Commercial; I have it both taxed and insured in the name of a limited company. All sounds good to me. I have a friend who started up a new limited company and transferred his Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial into the company. He has not changed the tax or insurance and both are in his own name. So in effect the Toyota is in the company from an accounts view but in reality it is still owned and insured by the individual. Is this legal and how are you from an insurance point of view?
A second question is in relation to the commercial SUVs, I know of an individual that has the SUV in the company and taxed as commercial in the company for €333, but the insurance has remained private. Is this correct?
Thanks,
Richard in Waterford
Richard Tobin (Waterford)May 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Richard,
The phrase ‘can of worms’ springs to mind. In general, a car can be registered to a company, and taxed and insured by the company, and still used by an individual for social, domestic and pleasure use. That’s how company cars work, obviously, but equally obviously there’s a Benefit-in-Kind tax liability to be paid. So it’s possible that your friend with the Land Cruiser is trying to avoid paying BIK.
In the case of the SUV, in theory a car that’s taxed as a commercial cannot be used for personal, social, domestic, or pleasure driving and there’s a fine to be paid if you’re caught displaying incorrect tax. Now, we should state at this point that we’re neither legal nor tax experts, and that the people you’re talking about could be operating entirely above board, and we’re not going to cast any aspersions on anyone.
Of course, this is Ireland and as we know, we don’t like sticking to the rules...
Looking for used automatic car...
Hi, I am looking for a used automatic hatchback petrol car for my wife. She's a learner and would prefer a small automatic hatchback. Would you mind helping me to find the best automatic car from year 2015 to 2017? We went through your reviews and made a list of cars thatsuits our needs. They are Hyundai i10, Skoda Citigo, Kia Picanto, Toyota Yaris, SEAT Ibiza, SEAT Mii, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 108 and Renault Clio etc. I was wondering if you could suggest me the best option?
Nithin Mathew (New Ross, Wexford)Apr 2020 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Nithin,
You’re kind of shopping in two separate segments of the market, there — small city cars (such as the Up and the i10) and larger superminis (such as the Yaris and Clio). If it’s one of the small ones you want, then the decision is kind of made for you. The Up is one of our favourites, but there’s no automatic option, so the Hyundai it has to be. No bad thing — it’s an excellent car.
If you fancy something a little larger and roomier, then I’d suggest going for the Toyota Yaris Hybrid — it gets you the automatic transmission you want, plus you’re future-proofing yourself a little with the hybrid powertrain.