How much VRT on a 2015 VW Transporter?
How much VRT could I expect to pay for converting a 2015 Volkswagen Transporter to a crewcab?
Fergus Lordan (Kerry)Aug 2018 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Fergus,
There should be no difference in VRT between a Transporter van and a a crew cab conversion. While the N1 commercial vehicle rules were tightened up this year to close off the loophole that allowed such big (often luxurious) 4x4s as a Land Rover Discovery or a VW Touareg to be registered as a commercial, ‘genuine’ vans with a crewcab setup should still qualify for the commercial 13.3 per cent VRT charge. Just make sure the vehicle has a ‘BE’ bodywork code and make sure to use a reputable specialist to do the conversion.
My VW Transporter is shaking...
I have a 2004 Volkswagen Transporter van and it's shaking. Why?
Gerry Connors (Wicklow )Jul 2018 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
This is very difficult to diagnose remotely so we suggest you bring the van into a good mechanic to have it checked over. Various possibilities include a broken engine mount, the engine running poorly or down a cylinder or two or even just simply wheels out of balance.
How does the VW Polo 1.0 MPI perform?
I want to know about the performance of the Volkswagen Polo 1.0-litre MPI...
Kushal Goon (Guwahati, Assam)Jul 2018 Filed under: performance
Expert answer
Hi Kushal,
Do you mean the current model? If so, then it’s not too bad, but equally not a ball of fire. The most basic 65hp model is… well, it’s not quick, but it’s sure not as glacially slow as the old 55hp version was. Put your foot down hard and you’ll have a wait a bit for momentum to build, but it’s not terrible. Happily, the 75hp version is much better again, and actually feels quite peppy in the lower gears.
Belt or chain for VW's 1.0 TSI engine?
Does the VW 1.0 TSI petrol engine run with a timing chain or timing belt?
Samad Sapawi (Singapore)Jun 2018 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Samad,
It's a timing belt, defined as a long-life item by Volkswagen.
Looking at maybe a new petrol SUV.
Hi,
I'm looking to change my 151 Toyota Corolla 1.4 Luna diesel at the end of this year or early next year. It currently has 93,000km on the clock. About 70 per cent of our driving is on short journeys such as short runs to town of about 10km. Would I be better to stay with diesel or go to petrol? I'm thinking about getting a crossover/SUV, something like a Peugeot 3008, Nissan Qashqai or a Kia Sportage, or would I get better value getting a smaller SEAT Ateca, Suzuki Vitara or Opel Mokka? My children are all adults now and are only around at weekends so our mileage will be decreasing a bit. Any advice would be great.
Thanks
Rob
Roddy McMyler (Kilkenny)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Roddy,
Well, it sounds definitely as if petrol is the way to go, and as you’ve mentioned the Ateca, that’s a good one to look at. It’s cheaper, by a little, than most of the competition, has an excellent 1.0-litre 115hp turbo petrol engine (don’t be put off by the small engine — it copes just fine) and isn’t ‘smaller’ at all — it’s the same size as the VW Tiguan, thanks to using the same chassis. The same goes for Skoda’s Karoq. A Peugeot 3008 with the 1.2 PureTech petrol engine would also be a good choice, but the Sportage isn't currently offered as a decent small petrol version, so we’d give that a swerve. The Nissan Qashqai comes with a good 1.2 turbo petrol, but doesn’t feel as good to drive in that form as the diesel. The Opel Mokka X is just too old a design and feels well out of date, but actually if you can cope with the smaller size, the Suzuki Vitara’s a good shout — good to drive, good looking and hugely reliable.
Read or reviews for more:
Should an older camper mean vintage VRT?
I imported a 1972 Volkswagen T2 van from Europe. It is quite basic and not fully done up yet or restored. Revenue want to charge €800 VRT despite me paying only €800 for it when I bought it. I am being charged as a camper van, but I expected to be charged the flat vintage rate of €200 as it is over 40 years old. Should I not have been taxed the vintage rate? They say that is only for cars, but the website does not state that. It says all vintage vehicles and the VW T2 is a vehicle is it not?
Great if you could advise.
Ellen Armie (Dublin)Jun 2018 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Ellen,
Yes, theoretically I’d say you’re absolutely right. A classic VW T2 should be considered a classic, and not as a camper or anything else. To be honest, Revenue can be pretty useless when it comes to assessing VRT on classics and vintage cars, because the market in Ireland is so small for cars like that. What you’ll probably have to do is (unfortunately) pay the VRT up front, and then challenge it.
Get on to your local classic car club, or better yet a VW owners club for some expert opinion (in writing, of course) and maybe get your solicitor to draw you up a letter outlining why it’s a classic and not a camper. You should get a rebate, but it may take some time and effort.
Thoughts on my Touran's value?
Hi there, just want to get another opinion on trade in value.
I bought a 162 Volkswagen Touran in a Highline spec with the 2.0-litre engine not 1.6 and the car cost me just slightly over the €40k mark. We have been pricing around to trade up for a 182 Tiguan Allspace and I've tried five to six Volkswagen dealers with the highest of €22k as a trade-in value for my own car, so that’s a loss of €18k in two years and there was me thinking buying a VW was a sound bet!
I also contacted Volkswagen Ireland and the response I got was "your local dealer is best equipped to give you the best trade in." Is it any wonder people are deciding to go to the UK to buy when there is a serious rip off culture in this country? I look forward to your thoughts on this.
Thanks
David
David Hayes (Dunmanway )May 2018 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi David,
Well, the issue is actually that all those people going and buying in the UK are pushing down the values of second hand cars here. Cheaper imports, which have been flooding into Ireland since the decimation of Sterling following the Brexit vote, have been putting major pressure on second hand car prices in Ireland, and I’d say your VW’s value is something of a victim of this. It also, to be honest, doesn’t help that it’s the 2.0-litre version, as most second hand buyers are more likely to want the cheaper-to-run 1.6 TDI instead. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the market is, to put it lightly, in turmoil right now.
Will a Golf diesel with no DPF pass the NCT?
Will a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI diesel pass the NCT test if the DPF has been removed?
George Irwin (Newtownards)Apr 2018 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi George,
Technically speaking, it should not, as, before a tester does the exhaust smoke test, they should, according to the NCT manual, check 'visually that the emission control system is complete and properly connected.' Saying that, it's unlikely that many testers will notice that the DPF is missing and, so long as the DPF warning light is not illuminated, there's no reason for them to be suspicious.
In short, it shouldn't pass and contravenes the law on emission of pollutants, but it is unlikely to be picked up by an NCT test centre.
Will Skoda's 1.0 TSI engine be reliable?
Hi.
We have been looking for a good reliable quality practical family car and deciding to go with a Skoda Octavia 1.0 TSI, as petrol suits our mileage - very short during the week and longer drives on weekends. My question and only reservation about the three-cylinder 1.0 TSI Octavia is its durability. Skoda and Volkswagen have a good reputation, but my only concern is how many years can be got out of a small engine in a big car? Have you any background into the work the manufacturers have put into this technology. and how durable do you reckon they will be? I've only heard great things about it, but I've heard a few non-Skoda drivers dismiss this engine.
Thanks
Mark Yeatesy (Dublin)Mar 2018 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
Well, it is — in effect — impossible for us to say with any authority as to how the 1.0 TSI engine is going to perform in the longer term, as the engine hasn’t been around all that long. What we can say is that, so far, there have been no horror stories emerging of any major reliability issues, and that Skoda has (a) good quality control systems and (b) a good reputation for high quality and reliability. After all, when people ask about the most reliable cars, we generally say Japanese, Korean and Czech — in that order. As long as you keep it properly serviced, I don’t think you’ll have any major problems.
What compact saloons are worth a look?
I love saloons (memories), but my wife says they are too big. What saloon, up to four years old, would look not much bigger than an Opel Astra hatchback?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Mar 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi F D,
Well, the good news is that there are plenty of mid-size saloons that are more or less the same size as an Astra — yes, they have a big boot slung out the back, but the difference in overall length is usually only a few centimetres. The best is probably the VW Jetta; it's plain looking, but good to drive and really well made. Ditto the Toyota Corolla. There’s a Ford Focus saloon too, and a really lovely Mazda3 saloon (which is actually nicer looking than the hatchback). There was also an Astra saloon, but to be honest it was a bit awkward looking if you ask me. If you do like the Astra hatch, though, it might be worth seeking one out. Here are a few relevant reviews to read: