Complete Car | Search Questions

Is there a new Skoda Karoq on the way?

Dear CompleteCar team,

I was wondering will there be a next generation Skoda Karoq in petrol, diesel and PHEV variants? While the Elroq has replaced an SUV of that size for Skoda, it does not have a rival for all the other SUVs of that size apart from the current Karoq offering, which I feel needs a fresh look. If nothing else to take on the new front look of the Elroq and Enyaq.

Any information would be welcome. Great insightful website. Keep up the good work.

Brendan Bonner (Gorey)

Aug 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Brendan,

We can't answer that definitively, unfortunately, as there is no official word on it. The Karoq is certainly ageing and due replacement, but we agree there's plenty of demand still for a Skoda model in this space that is not only available with electric power.

Watch this space I guess...

Electric range on the 2024 MG HS PHEV?

What is the electric range on the 2024 MG HS PHEV?

Irene (Wexford)

Aug 2025 Filed under: hybrid

Expert answer

Hi Irene,

The previous-generation MG HS PHEV came with an official electric range of 52 kilometres.

Which family car for under €30,000?

Any nearly/new saloon/SUV for under €30k, but still with big space and is a decent car? For a family of four. I really don't mind what fuels it.

Conor Lyons (Cork)

Aug 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Conor,

There's a wealth of choice at that price point on the used market really. Here are a few options to consider, many of them early 2025 registrations:

Dacia Duster
Hyundai Kona (the newer model)
MG ZS (newer model)
Nissan Qashqai
Skoda Octavia
Volkswagen Taigo or ID.4 if you fancy going electric

I've added links to our reviews of the cars so you can take a look and see what you like the look of. Come back to us and let me know if we're on the right track here, and your thoughts on each of these as we help you narrow down your search.

Would VAT and duty be payable on this Nissan Leaf?

Hi there,

I found a full electric car in Northern Ireland. It's a 2017 Nissan Leaf. It's from a dealer but it has an English reg. The dealer said that it has been with a local previous owner since 2023.

Checking the MOT test history you can only see that it was last tested in UK on the 14 Oct 2020 and then tested again in NI on 03 September 2021. I asked the dealer if he could supply a copy of the V5C but can't due to data protection. So, I'm a bit confused.

To be exempt from VAT, there's information saying that the car has to registered in NI before Jan 2021. And other information saying that you need proof that the car was registered in NI for a considerable amount of time - I've heard people saying six and now three months).

Do you think I'd have to pay VAT for this car? Would the test history from gov.co.uk suffice? Any information or suggestions would be great.

Thank you in advance and kind regards

Ed (Leixlip)

Jul 2025 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Ed,

There were several rule changes in the past few years, but it now seems to boil down to the relatively simple matter of whether you can prove the car was used for "as reasonable amount of time" in the North before it was imported. It sounds to me like that would be the case on the Leaf you've found and yes, I believe the official test history from gov.co.uk would suffice.

If in doubt, do contact Revenue directly for yourself.

Is the electric Opel Astra estate available in Ireland?

I love the look of the Opel Astra Sports Tourer but if I was interested it would be in an electric version. The opel.ie website is very confusing as to whether that exists.

On https://www.opel.ie/cars/sports-tourer/overview-features.html it says "Make way for the new generation Opel Astra Sports Tourer. Choose petrol, diesel or 100% electric".

Further down that page, it says "The future is electric. Discover Astra Sports Tourer Plug-in Hybrid. Performance without compromise. Are you ready for a change?"

Now, plug-in hybrid might be great but it's not 100 per cent electric. I've tried the car configurator and the price list but nowhere is there a reference to an electric Astra Sports Tourer.

Does it exist?

Conor (Tipperary)

Jul 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Conor,

I spoke with a representative of Opel Ireland today and they asked me to apologise to you for the confusion.

The electric version of the Sports Tourer is indeed available, but it's what's called a "special order" model, so it has been removed from the public-facing price list etc. If you contact your local Opel dealer, they should be able to talk you through the process of ordering one.

Don't forget to read our review of the Opel Astra Electric (though we've not tested the estate model).

Update on 2 Sep 2025: Opel Ireland got in touch to say the online documentation has been updated. You can get the new Opel Astra price list here.

Has the Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV a rear-axle issue?

Hi,

I'm looking at Volvo XC90s. In the 2019/2020 T8 hybrid, should the known ERAD problem be a concern? Is there anything to mitigate the risk? Does Volvo cover replacement if the vehicle has a full Volvo service history? Or is it safer to stick with the D5/B5 variant?

Thanks

Donal Canney (Galway)

Jun 2025 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Donal,

For the benefit of our other readers, ERAD stands for Electric Rear Axle Drive, which is effectively the electric motor used on the rear axle of the plug-in-hybrid XC90 T8 (and other Volvo PHEVs) to give it all-wheel drive and fully electric operation. And yes, they are a known weak point of the car.

There is some evidence that Volvo will help with repair or replacement for cars with a full service history, but it seems to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis as there has been no official recall or statement on it from Volvo. Do not rely on this.

We'd strongly recommend you avoid early cars unless the ERAD unit has been replaced relatively recently, but Volvo did make improvements as early as 2018, and the facelifted cars from 2020 on (badged “Recharge”) are a relatively safe bet.

Look not only for a regular service history, but also for maintenance details relating specifically to the rear axle.

The D5/B5 cars are certainly a better bet in terms of dependability, but obviously come with higher running costs and motor tax.

Will the new MINI Countryman be sold as a PHEV?

Alan O'Brien (Dublin)

Jun 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Alan,

As far as we are aware, there are no plans to sell this car as a plug-in hybrid. Only fully electric and petrol models have been confirmed.

If you'd like help choosing another SUV, please do come back to us with your budget and other preferences.

How much to privately tax an electric van?

I have read the posts about buying a van for private use and being subject to higher tax. How does the old legislation deal with electric vans in that situation?

Mary Fitzgerald (Galway City)

Jun 2025 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

Rather bizarrely, there is no published rule on this situation as yet so electric vans are subject to the same annual motor tax as electric cars - i.e. €120 per annum.

Three-cylinder turbo or four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine?

Hi.

As a long-term keeper would you recommend a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine or would a four-cylinder non-turbo be a safer bet?

We'll be buying a new car next year. There are so many variants out there it's doing my head in.

We're not quite ready for all electric yet.

Teresa (Co. Clare)

May 2025 Filed under: future engines

Expert answer

Hi Teresa,

I'm afraid there's no definitive answer to that as every engine is so different. There's generally less to go wrong on a non-turbocharged engine, but they're usually less efficient and less powerful as well.

Feel free to come back to us with your detailed requirements and we can try to help you narrow down your search. Tell us your budget, your annual mileage and how many people you have to carry regularly. Also any preferences you may have.

Skoda Elroq or BYD Atto 3?

First time going electric; do I go for the Skoda Elroq 50 or BYD Atto 3? Don't do whole lot of driving and work is 5km away from me hence killing the GTD!

Sharon Shanahan (Co. Limerick)

May 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Sharon,

The Elroq is nicer to drive, though the Atto 3 is noticeably faster and more responsive than the entry-level '50' model as it has a more powerful electric motor. The BYD also gets a bigger battery and longer range, but I suspect that isn't such an issue given your short commute.

I prefer the interior, style and quality of the Elroq, and it has a larger boot.

For my money, it would be the Skoda, though as ever we'd urge you to go test drive both to see which you prefer.