I'd like to import my 1999 Volkswagen T4...
Hi there,
I want to register my 1999 Volkswagen T4 from Germany. It has about 34,000km on the clock and just two seats. I cannot find this type of vehicle on the VRT calculator. How much will the VRT be approximately?
Thanks in advance
Viktoria Havlik (Killarney)Jul 2024 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Viktoria,
If you've owned and used the vehicle in Germany yourself for more than six months and you are moving to Ireland then no VRT should be payable. Have a read of the Transfer of Residence rules from Revenue to see if that applies to you.
If not, and the T4 is registered as a commercial vehicle, then VRT may be payable at a flat rate of just €200.
When to change a 2016 Golf TDI's belt?
2016 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI with 75,000km on the clock: when should I change its timing belt?
John Griffin (Kells)Aug 2023 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi John,
It should be changed at least every 210,000km, regardless of time.
EV or hybrid with €50,000 to spend?
Hi there,
My parents are in the market for a new car (sub €50k). They like the height of the crossovers/SUVs and are interested in a hybrid or electric model. They do about 18k km per annum, mostly on country roads, and the odd road trip to Dublin (300km each way). Wondering would you recommend full EV (Skoda Enyaq) or hybrid (Peugeot 3008 &and VW Tiguan)?
Many thanks,
Michael, Ennis
Michael Sweeney (Tulla)Feb 2022 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
So long as they have off-street parking and are willing to get a charger installed at home, then I'd suggest that a full-on electric car will suit them. For that outlay, there are loads of good options to consider:
Which front-wheel-drive electric SUV for us?
Thinking of making the move to an electric car for our main family vehicle, but quite hilly where we live and concerned about rear-wheel drive only in some of the options, and all-wheel-drive electric cars are very expensive at the moment. Thinking of an SUV or crossover - what would be the recommended front-wheel-drive make/model in this scenario?
Willing to put on winter tyres etc.
John Paul (Letterkenny)Nov 2021 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John Paul,
You’re dead right in that four-wheel-drive EVs are currently rather expensive — the best value ones around at the moment are the Volkswagen ID.4 GTX, the Skoda Enyaq Sportline iV 80x and the Tesla Model 3 Long Range, all of which are in the region of €57,000 to €59.000. Which is quite a lot of money, even if all three are excellent cars.
If you want to go front-wheel drive, but keep the SUV body shape, then there are still some very good options all the same. The Kia e-Niro, the Kia e-Soul and the Hyundai Kona Electric all share the same battery, electric motor and front-wheel-drive platform, and all are excellent cars. The Niro is fractionally the more practical, the Soul arguably the best to drive and the Kona a pretty good compromise between the two.
Or you could try the MG ZS if you want something a bit cheaper, but bear in mind that a new, longer-range model is coming in the new year that will bump up its price from €28,995 to €31,000.
Mind you, you’ve said you’re happy to put winter tyres on, and this should really bring the various rear-wheel-drive models back into play. With the right tyres, and given the hefty two-tonne weight of larger models such as the ID.4 and Enyaq, you’re unlikely to experience any major traction issues, so don’t count those models out.
Which full-size new seven-seater to go for?
Hi
I currently have a Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace but would like to upgrade to a seven-seater with seven full-sized seats as I'm expecting my fourth child. I'm looking at the SEAT Alhambra, which ticks a lot of boxes, but would prefer a petrol or hybrid option. I can't go electric as parking is on-street and there's no option to plug in. Looking at a 2021 Alhambra so would consider something in a similar price range.
Any advice appreciated,
Karen
Karen Golden (Dublin 6)Jun 2021 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Karen,
The Alhambra is an excellent choice, and to be honest it’s probably the one we’d go for, though there are no petrol or hybrid versions as you probably know.
However, Ford is just now introducing hybrid versions of both the S-Max and Galaxy and those could well be worth checking out, not least because Ford has some very sharp 212-plate offers around at the moment, so you may be able to nab yourself a bargain.
If you want some other hybrid seven-seat options, you’re really looking at large SUVs, which are expensive to buy and run. The best ones are plug-in hybrids, too, but you did say that you don't have a way to plug a car in at home, so perhaps those are not for you.
Best of luck
Is the VW Grand California in America?
Hi,
I would like to know if the Volkswagen Grand California van is available now in America? I’m looking for this type of camper. It has everything I need and it’s very compact, not huge like most RV campers, this is about the size of a conversion van or little bit bigger. Also, can I get this camper in the State of Georgia?
Please get back to me.
Thank you, John
John Blane (Valdosta, Ga. )Mar 2021 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi John,
Bad news, I'm afraid: the Grand California is not for sale in the States at all. You can tease yourself and find out more about it in our review.
Will there be a hybrid Tiguan in Ireland?
Will there be a VW Tiguan PHEV in Ireland?
Bob Butler (Lucan)Mar 2021 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Bob,
There will indeed, though we don't know how it will be priced as yet. Read about it in our news piece about the updated Tiguan.
Timing belt change for Golf TDI 1.6?
Timing belt change for Volkswagen Golf TDI 1.6 - 2009?
Avdirrahman Zuka (Kosovo)Mar 2021 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Avdirrahman,
It's every 210,000 kilometres regardless of time.
Which cars can fit three child seats?
Hi,
What cars are capable of putting three child seats across the back seats? Ages new born, 2 and 4 years old. So none would be in booster seat just yet. Is it just SUVS or vans? I'm hoping there are some estates capable of this!
Thanks John
John Smyth (Dun Laoghaire)Mar 2021 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi John,
In my experience (I test a few hundred cars a year and I have three kids myself), your only proper options are people carriers, MPVs and larger SUVs. We ended up buying a Volkswagen Touran, which was absolutely excellent, but there are plenty of other cars with the same kind of space. The Tiguan Allspace, Skoda Kodiaq and SEAT Tarraco all are virtually the same as that inside and ideal for the job. Watch out for smaller SUVs, such as the Qashqai etc, as their rear seats are no wider or more accommodating than an average estate.
Now, depending on whether you're using ISOFIX and how wide the child seats are, you might find an estate that will accommodate the three, so don't give up just yet. The only way to know for certain is to bring the seats with you to try out in the backs of a few cars at a dealer or wherever. The Skoda Superb Combi and VW Passat Combi would be worth a try for sure.
Please do let us know in the comments below how you get on.
Can I register my Beetle for classic tax?
I have a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle and am wondering if I can register for the reduced 'classic' car tax?
Thanks
Chris
Chris Langton (Caherconlish)Mar 2021 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Chris,
I'm afraid that classic motor tax (or 'Vintage' according to Revenue) only kicks in when a car is over thirty years old.