Will hybrid VRT relief change in the Budget?
I would welcome your opinion on the upcoming 2018 Irish Budget in November. The current VRT relief on hybrid cars is €1,500. In light of current poor sales of hybrid cars in Ireland (two per cent of total Irish sales), do you see them raising this value or could they possibly withdraw it?
I ask this because I am planning to purchase a hybrid for 181 and I would like to take advantage of the 'increased' value.
Michael Carey (Letterkenny)Aug 2017 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
I would expect to see little to no change in the hybrid subvention in the coming budget. Although there will be some pressure to incentivise low-emissions cars that aren’t diesel, the focus will probably be more on higher incentives for battery-electric cars, and possible plugin hybrids, and some changes to the reclaiming of VAT on petrol for company users. The Department of Finance will be well aware that there is a huge number of new hybrid cars due for launch, and they won’t want to risk a fall-off in revenue by increasing the subvention, so I think, at this point, it’s unlikely to change very much.
Will there be Budget changes for 2018 VRT?
Budget 2018 and the hybrid reduction amount of €1,500 on a new Kia Niro: in your opinion. would you expect this figure (VRT reduction) to increase, based on the fact that hybrids have not been selling very well this year (two per cent of total sales in Ireland), and the government needs to encourage hybrid sales. Hence, I would wait until the budget is announced before buying my 2018.
Thanking you as always for your expert opinion.
Michael Carey (Letterkenny)Aug 2017 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi again Michael,
Our answer on your other question is relevant here too: I would expect to see little to no change in the hybrid subvention in the coming budget. Although there will be some pressure to incentivise low-emissions cars that aren’t diesel, the focus will probably be more on higher incentives for battery-electric cars, and possible plugin hybrids, and some changes to the reclaiming of VAT on petrol for company users. The Department of Finance will be well aware that there is a huge number of new hybrid cars due for launch, and they won’t want to risk a fall-off in revenue by increasing the subvention, so I think, at this point, it’s unlikely to change very much.
Latest exhaust tech in Skoda's 1.6 TDI?
Hi,
Does the relatively new 1.6 110hp diesel engine in the Skoda Octavia have the new manifold in head technology that's meant to make real world emissions lower and make the EGR valve more durable or do you have to have the 1.6 diesel 120hp engine up, say in the Volkswagen Passat, to have this more modern technology?
I'm not really interested in the 2.0-litre diesels as I'm still a relatively young male driver and I believe you pay too much of an insurance penalty for this engine size.
Thanks
Kieran, Thomastown.
Kieran Hallligan (Thomastown)Aug 2017 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Kieran,
Yes, the 1.6 TDI engine in the Octavia should have manifold-in-head tech. All EA889 derivative engines, built from 2013 onwards, have manifold-in-head construction, and that goes for 1.6 as well as 2.0 diesels.
What are the Irish motor tax bands?
What are the Irish motor tax bands for new cars in Ireland?
Johnson Thoppilan (Angamaly)Aug 2017 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Johnson,
The current motor tax bands run from A to G, based on the CO2 emissions of the vehicle, with bands A and B — the ones into which the majority of cars on sale fit — split into sub-bands.
A starts with an electric-only band of A0 (which costs €120 a year) and then goes to A1 (up to 80g/km at €170 a year), A2 (80-100g/km, €180), A3 (100 - 110g/km, €190) and A4 (110-120g/km, €200).
Band B is spilt into B1 (120-130g/km, €270) and B2 (130-140g/km, €280).
After that it’s Band C (140-155g/km, €390), Band D (155-170g/km, €570), Band E (170-190g/km, €750), Band F (190-225g/km, €1,200) and Band G (over 225g/km, €2,350).
How much to tax an imported MINI?
If I bring a 2004 MINI home, how much will road tax be for its 1.6-litre petrol engine?
John O Sullivan (Tralee)Aug 2017 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi John,
A pre-2008 car being imported means that it’s on the new CO2-based system. A 2004 MINI Cooper 1.6 has CO2 emissions of 163g/km so you’ll be paying €570 a year to tax it.
Worth using fuel additives in my Skoda?
Hi,
I have a 1.6 TDI Greenline 2012 Skoda Superb with 70k km up. An injector recently had to be replaced. I don't know why, possibly because the car is unused for a few months each year. Is there any benefit in using a fuel additive to prevent further damage and, if so, which?
I also have a 2.0-litre petrol turbocharged Mercedes-Benz C-Class (245hp) of much more recent vintage. Is there a benefit of using a fuel additive from early in a car's life? Is there any evidence that these products. work?
Many thanks,
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Aug 2017 Filed under: aftermarket
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
The short answer is that there are some benefits to using additives, but they’re not a miracle cure. Some additives, such as Redex, STP, or Dipetane, can apparently help to reduce the build-up of carbonised particles of soot and burned fuel on the insides of your engine, which can lead to improvements in reliability, fuel economy and emissions.
That said, there’s little here that’s scientifically proven. The benefits of additives tend to be more word-of-mouth than provable fact, but there’s certainly no harm in using them and if you notice a benefit, well that’s all to the good.
I would suggest that you’re better off sticking to a strict service regimen, using original parts and a qualified technical, than relying on additives though. And of course, as you already know, diesels need to be driven regularly to stay in good condition.
Should I avoid Volkswagen Group cars?
Good morning,
I've been thinking about buying a second hand Volkswagen Passat (2011 to 2013), but I've been reading bad things online about the NOx fixes causing terrible problems with performance drops and fuel economy deteriorating. What do you know about these issues? (yes I know the company line is that there is no drop in performance or fuel economy, but it will say that - no reason to believe a company that would do such things as intentionally cheat on the emissions tests in the first place).
Should I avoid cars that require the NOx fixes?
Thanks,
Steve
Steve Baker (Wicklow)May 2017 Filed under: recall
Expert answer
Hi Steve,
Generally speaking, no you shouldn’t avoid, but of course it’s not that simple. You’re quite right, Volkswagen does claim, and presumably would claim, that its updates do nothing to alter engine performance. There is some back up to this claim, though, as the fixes had to be approved and signed off on by the German federal transport authority, which at least gives some independent oversight to the process.
Now, there have been some reports in the press about issues with the updates, such as higher CO2 emissions and a degradation in fuel economy, but those are as yet unverified. I think, in general, you should be fine buying a Volkswagen car that has to be recalled, though, if it turns out there are any issues, they will simply have to be brought back in again and fixed, but fixed better this time.
Help me import my electric car please!
I bought an electric car (a Renault Zoe) from Charles Hurst in Belfast, but I am finding it difficult to be sure of the paperwork to be presented at a VRT centre in Ireland.
Is there a number I can ring? Revenue only seem to have answering machines. Do you know if I should fill out the V5 form (red and blue form given by dealer) and send part of it away? On the form it says to send it to Swansea, but is that not just for people in the UK? Also as I have bought a second hand electric car, I do not have to pay VRT, but do I need an official letter confirming this before I go to aVRT appointment?
Any advice would be very helpful.
Meabh Durand (Scarriff, Co Clare)May 2017 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Meabh,
No, don’t send off the V5 — you’ll need that and Revenue in Ireland will send it off to the DVLA in Swansea when they’re done with it. You’ll also need proof of sale or a receipt, proof of date of the car’s entry into the state, a VRT declaration form that you can download from the Revenue website, proof of your own address (house bills etc), proof of your PPSN number and documentation confirming the vehicle’s CO2 emissions — the V5 should cover that nicely.
How much to tax a Jaguar F-Type?
How much to tax a 2013 Jaguar F-Type?
James Bateman (Limerick)May 2017 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi James,
Assuming that it's the supercharged V6 S, with CO2 emissions of 213g/km, it'll cost €1,200 a year to tax.
How much to tax a 2012 Jaguar XF?
How much is tax on a 2012 Jaguar XF 2.2?
John Diggins (Tralee)Apr 2017 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi John,
For that model year the XF had CO2 emissions of 149g/km so tax of €390.