Expert answer

Hi Glenn,

If you mean one of the early pre-2008 models it goes on engine capacity, so the annual road tax is €1,809. All other examples of the V8-engined Audi R8 since then have had emissions well in excess of the starting point of Band G (225g/km and higher) so the annual tax bill is €2,350.

Hopefully that doesn't put you off! Here's our drive of the updated V8-engined R8 Coupé to whet your appetite...

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

As you say, the Revenue.ie VRT calculator doesn't have a listing for Morgan, which makes this all rather difficult, but based on the very small sample of other Morgans in the country, I'm going to stick a finger in the air and say your car is going to be valued at an MSRP of around €45,000. Combine that with the 23 per cent VRT rate for cars emitting over 140g/km of CO₂ and you get a total VRT bill of €10,350.

Pricey, but then it does get you a Morgan, so it's probably worth it.

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

You need the vehicles’s own registration document (usually called the V5 if it’s a UK import), a filled out VRT purchase details form (available from Revenue), proof of your own identity and address, your PPSN number, a receipt or bill of sale, proof of the date of the vehicle’s arrival in the State and documentation confirming the make, model and type’s CO₂ emissions. You can find all the relevant details here: http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/vrt-guide.html#section2e

Expert answer

Hi Jimmy,

As far as we can find, none. The highest emissions model in the Polo range is the GTI and that has a CO₂ rating of 139g/km, which puts it, albeit only just, into Band B2, and tax of €280 a year.

Did you find otherwise?

Expert answer

Hi Mag,

If it's newer than 2008 then that car's tax is based on its emissions. It's it Band C, at €390 per year. If it's older than that and based on engine size then the annual tax is €951.

Expert answer

Hi Liam,

Pros are that Volvos tend to be very well made and are generally a reliable car and that 1.8-litre engine is an old Ford unit that's well proven and dependable. 

Cons are that for a car competing with the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4, the S40 is very small and a bit cramped and the emissions of that 1.8 will give you some fairly juicy tax bills.

Expert answer

Hi Rafal,

There are no problems that suggest themselves as a likely culprit. The Bora is more or less mechanically identical to the Golf, so has the same solidity and suffers the same basic niggles - if there were a problem causing Bora NCT failures, it would be happening to Golfs too. Certainly, Volkswagen Ireland is unaware of any particular Bora issue when we asked for a comment. 

The only thing we can think of is that the Bora has slightly stiffer, sportier suspension than the Golf and that could potentially lead to wear and tear on things like bushings and track rod ends. Given the age of the cars you're looking at, that could be the problem, although in fairness, any 10 to 14-year old car could be suffering from that kind of problem, especially if it's an original Irish car.

Expert answer

Hi Cahir,

Really, really good. Put it this way: when I had it on test, I actually asked Kia if I could hang on to it for a couple of extra days. Sharp steering, balanced chassis, spacious cabin (for a coupé) and really well built. 

There's a 1.4 or 1.6 diesel, but get the 1.6 as it's much better to drive, only costs around €1,000 more and there's no CO₂ emissions penalty.

Cracking car all round, really.

Expert answer

Hi Eileen,

Yes, very. Mazda updated the 2 in 2011 and made some detail improvements that boosted fuel economy while trimming CO₂ emissions. You should be able to manage better than 50mpg with a light right foot.

Expert answer

Hi Ambrose,

Yup, that figure is correct. There was a model year change in 2012 that saw the emissions of the 2.0-litre D-4D diesel engine fall from 135g/km (Band B2) to 120g/km (Band A4). Mind you, the difference in annual motor tax is only €80 so it's not a huge thing. There were some other minor tweaks in terms of equipment between the 2010 model year and the 2012 version, but nothing major - the core of the car is still the same and for the sake of that €80 gap in the tax bill, you may well be able to argue yourself a better deal on the older model.

Hope that helps