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Hi Steve,

I’m going to say probably not, but this is an utter minefield and you’ll probably get a dozen different answers from as many people. The problem is that Volkswagen doesn’t sell the California, or any current T6 Transporter variant, in the US, so you’d have to try and get it past the personal import regulations. If, for any reason, the car can’t pass those tests, then there’s no appeals process, at least not as I understand it. You can import it temporarily as a tourist, but it would have to be re-exported again within 12 months.

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Hi Daniele,

Lots of things can cause slow starting of a modern diesel engine, including issues with the fuel system or glow plugs, or indeed the battery. You'll need to get your car along to a good mechanic to have it checked over.

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Hi Kay,

It will depend if you’re importing it. If not, then no VRT applies in any case, but there will be a fee payable for re-registering. At that point, there may also be motor tax implications, but theoretically, if Revenue accepts the conversion, then motorhomes only have to pay €102 a year.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that, to be classified as a motorhome, you’ll have to pass type approval, for which there are minimum standards. The Road Safety Authority has all the details you’ll need, but it might get expensive meeting all the requirements. 

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Hi Joe,

We sent this one on to Honda Ireland and here was the response:

"Yes a swivel passenger seat can fit in a Honda CR-V. However we would ask the customer to speak to their mobility solutions provider too, as it depends on the design and the size of the seat."

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Hi there,

The A4 would be a little better in terms of comfort, but not in terms of space or practicality, and to be honest the benefits are pretty marginal. Either the Passat or the Superb make fantastic estate cars. The Superb has an edge on luggage capacity (around 60 litres extra), but the Passat is a little sharper to drive, and has arguably a nicer interior. A marginal decision then, but we’d probably go for the Superb on balance. Or, just to throw a spanner in the works, have a look at the excellent Mazda6 Tourer before deciding…

A few reviews to help you decide:

Audi A4 Avant review

Skoda Superb Combi review

Volkswagen Passat reviews

Mazda6 Tourer review

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Hi Rob,

Yes, if you have registered the car to your London address, and can show proof of continuous tax and insurance for six months prior to your move, then you’ll be able to avoid VRT when you import it here. On the Discovery Commercial, you’ll be looking at rather more than €200 VRT to import it, I’m afraid. N1 and Cat B commercial vehicles don’t pay a flat rate any more, they pay 13.3 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price, or the Irish market price as defined by Revenue. The same will go for a crew-cab, and 13.3 per cent is the lowest possible rate of VRT. 

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Hi Robert,

Yes, it’s a very solid shortlist, although obviously we can’t comment either way on the Tiguan plug-in hybrid as we’ve not driven one yet. As for the Honda and the Toyota, the Honda is roomier and rather more engaging to drive (better for all those twisty roads) so is probably the one we’d go for. The new RAV4 is well worth looking at, though, and it has impressive performance, so it’s good for all that overtaking. Links to our reviews below:

Honda CR-V Hybrid review

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid review

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Hi Shane,

Both are excellent, but in general we’d lean towards the Skoda. Although a slightly smaller car overall, you’re not sacrificing much rear seat space, and you are gaining a bigger and more versatile boot. Our only concern would be to get a very careful history check done, as the Octavia is popular as a taxi, and that’s something to be avoided. 

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Hi Noel,

No, it does not appear so. The daytime running lights are LED and the headlights are a projector design. There is automatic turning on of the lights when it is dark, but not of the high beam. It does not appear to be on the options list from Hyundai Ireland, either.

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Hi Brendan,

A couple of things. Obviously, any of the car’s on-board systems will be setup for Japanese language, so you will need to get those changed, and the radio may not be set to receive European FM frequencies, so the car’s entire audio system may need to be replaced. Generally speaking, a Japanese Passat will be mechanical similar to a European one, but there will inevitably be some detail differences in specification and equipment, so you may run into trouble further down the line with parts availability.

I’d suggest that you’d be better off looking at the UK market than the Japanese one — the Passat is hardly a rare car, so there may be an easier option out there for you.