Should I repair my car before the NCT?
Hi,
I crashed my car against a pole a while back and it has been difficult trying to get any word of repairs on it because I need to use spare parts and it's a 2012 Peugeot so no need to buy brand new parts.
Nothing is hanging off - only the front bumper and grille were affected. Looks a little bent and radiators and everything are perfectly fine. I have an NCT test coming up in a few weeks; is it advisable to just go through buying new parts to repair it (will probably cost more than the car itself) or will that pass NCT?
Gladys (Waterford)Sep 2025 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Gladys,
We'd recommend the car is repaired before the NCT. Though minor damage should not mean a fail, that is open to interpretation by the tester and if they deem the car a danger to others, they can fail it for damaged bodywork.
Why is my newer BMW 1 Series less safe than the old one?
There has been a lot of noise about the abysmal crash safety rating of the MG3 Hybrid and rightly so. However, in the Euro NCAP frontal collision tests the new BMW 1 Series achieved the same score - 8.9/16 points, but there hasn't been a sound about it.
According to Euro NCAP: “Dummy readings indicated weak protection of the driver's chest, based on dummy readings of compression... Protection of the driver's left leg was also weak, with marginal protection the front occupants' legs in general… In the full-width rigid barrier test, chest protection was rated as weak both for the driver and the rear passenger, in both cases a result of compression.”
The F40 launched in 2019 scored 14.3/16 points. I'm particularly annoyed about this because I traded in my F40 for the new F70 before it had been tested by Euro NCAP. I had assumed it would achieve the same if not a better score.
While the MG3 result is shambolic the 1 Series' isn't exactly stellar considering it costs at least €20k more than a MG3.
Peter Barrins (Baldoyle)Sep 2025 Filed under: safety
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
We may not be comparing apples with apples here, as the Euro NCAP testing and scoring system is constantly evolving, and there were significant changes to it in 2020. I'd urge you to search the Euro NCAP site for information on what those changes were, because it's highly unlikely that BMW made a less-strong/safe car than its predecessor.
A five-star Euro NCAP car of 2019 would be unlikely to get the same score today, for example, and not just because of changes relating to driver-assistance systems.
Will my damaged car fail its NCT next month?
I accidentally hit a bollard and got the front passenger door and side skirt with mild scrapes and multiple dents. No jagged edges sustained and no holes. My NCT is on October 27, and I got a quote of €500 for the repair. Will my car fail if I do a DIY scratch removal and touch up minus the dent repair?
Kind regards
Jehrome (Finglas Dublin )Sep 2025 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Jehrome,
A car shouldn't fail its NCT for cosmetic damage, only for damage deemed to be a danger to someone, though it's a little open to interpretation on the tester's behalf. We always advise drivers to present the car in its best possible light for the NCT to make the whole process go smoother.
Be aware that the car can also be failed if the tester reckons a bad repair job has been done, so our advice is to either get it done properly or not at all.
Why did my car stop?
So recently I was driving and when I got around a corner my front passenger-side brake felt like it was engaged and took me to a stop. I had to get the car towed, and it is unable to be pushed in neutral as well as driven in reverse or drive. Not sure what's wrong or what I should do to it as it's all-wheel drive as well.
Grady Henderson (Swift Current)Sep 2025 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Grady,
That sound like a binding brake calliper to us, but as you also mentioned the all-wheel-drive system there could also be something up with the differential up front. Only thing to do is get a good mechanic to have a look at it.
How to get CO2 emissions of a VW Up imported from Japan?
I have imported a VW Up from Japan. Revenue wants the CO2 and NOx confirmed by the Japanese Ministry of Transport. I have the website address of the Japanese Ministry, but I cannot find the emissions section. Have you any advice?
Martin Fallon (Leopardstown, Dublin)Aug 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
The information is supposed to be on this page but it's difficult to find your way around. First up, make sure you use whatever browser you have to translate to English.
Scroll down to the section marked '5. 1. Gasoline passenger car fuel economy'. We found the VW Up in the Volkswagen tab of the Excel file that downloads when you click on 'Imported vehicle (JC08 mode)'. However, that only gives the CO2 emissions (106g/km) for a single version of the Up, so hopefully that's the correct one.
To find the NOx, we searched the page that link is on for "Volkswagen Up" and found a series of documents, including this one showing a NOx value of 0.013g/km.
Hopefully Revenue will accept both of those documents as proof.
How much to import an old Isuzu Trooper?
I would like to buy an Isuzu Trooper SUV, over 20 years old, in Northern Ireland, and import it to southern Ireland (Dublin). Can you please let me know, approximately, how much it would cost, on top of the price of the vehicle, if l paid €2,250 for it? It has a 3.0-litre diesel engine and 195,000 kilometres on the clock. It's a five-seater.
Brian Mcgovern (Leopardstown, Dublin)Aug 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
To do these calculations, we're going to assume that the Trooper has been registered and used in Northern Ireland for quite some time, and that you can prove that. This means no import duty or VAT will be payable.
We're also going to assume it's a passenger car as it's a five-seater.
The high CO2 emissions rating of that model means it'll be in the top band for VRT, at 41 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP), which is what Revenue reckons the vehicle to be worth after registration in Ireland.
There are many examples of the Trooper in Revenue's online VRT calculator, so we're confident it won't be valued any higher than €2,500 (most likely lower). At that value, the VRT would be €1,025.
The NOx levy is likely to cost a lot more, however. If you can't get an official NOx emissions figure for the vehicle then it will default to the maximum for a diesel, at €4,850, so make sure you look into that before committing to importing it.
Where to stick a toll tag on an Opel Grandland?
Where can you place a toll badge on the windshield of an Opel Grandland GS electric? The entire windshield is covered in heating wires, and there are no black dotted areas where you'd normally place a badge.
Or wouldn't the heating wires interfere with the badge? I haven't received a satisfactory answer anywhere, not even from Opel, where it simply says, "Just stick it somewhere on the windshield, it'll work."
Thanks in advance for a reply
Eric De Bruyne (Belgium)Aug 2025 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Eric,
The heating element should have no effect on the toll tag being read at all, but if the glass has a layer to help reduce noise etc. that can have an effect.
Near the very top and as close to the middle as you can ususally works, but no harm trying a few options manually (with a passenger holding the tag in place) to ensure the chosen location works.
What will we replace our BMW 330e with?
Hi,
We have a 201 BMW 330e Sport saloon with 65, 000km on the clock and are considering changing for a 2023/2024 car. We like the 330e but are undecided as to whether to go for another 330e or try a different make and model.
What other similar hybrids would you suggest?
Martin (Belgium)Aug 2025 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
As I'm sure you know, the 330e was updated late in 2024, so if you can find one of those within budget, you'll appreciate the upgrades. Read our review of the revised BMW 330e here.
We're big fans of the 330e as well. It's difficult to beat its blend of performance, driving dynamics, style and efficiency. Here are a few alternatives to consider, nonetheless:
Mercedes-Benz C 300 e: I love the look of these, and it feels like a proper luxury car inside, more so than the BMW. Its chassis is more comfort-focused though, so you need to choose which you prefer. There's not much to choose between this and the updated 330e when it comes to performance, electric range and space, but the Mercedes is very expensive.
Volkswagen Passat GTE: I suspect this is not what you're looking for in terms of badge appeal, but the GTE is a very decent car. It's much bigger inside than your BMW and exceedingly comfortable, with perky performance when you need it (ok, not as perky as the 330e's). Its electric range isn't great, but fine for short commutes. And this car is more affordable than most on this list.
Skoda Superb iV: Much the same can be said about the Superb as for the Passat above, though the Superb is larger again and it doesn't always come with a sporting badge, which some will like. It's not massively common in the classifieds though.
Volvo V60: Now this is a hidden gem and would be my choice of the lot here, even as a serious fan of rear-drive cars such as the 330e. And yes, it is an estate body style, which you might not have been looking for, but it is such a fantastic, polished car that is great to drive, looks sensational and packs a bigger punch than many will expect.
Give our review of the V60 T6 Recharge a read and go test drive one for yourself to make up your own mind. Same advice really for all of the above cars, but this one stands out.
How to convert a classic Toyota Land Cruiser back to a passenger car?
I have a 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser. It was originally a passenger car but was converted to commercial before being imported in 2005. Now I want to convert it back. What's the process please?
William Furlong (Portlaw)Aug 2025 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi William,
As it's now a classic, the process and the costs should be minimal enough.
Take photographs before and after you've done the physical work to convert the Land Cruiser back to a passenger car and keep any related receipts.
You'll then have to have it inspected by an 'SQI' (Suitably Qualified Individual) to sign it off as safe, etc. They will also stamp the "VRTCONV" form for you, which must be submitted to Revenue.
Full details on the requirements are provided on the Revenue Conversions website.
As it's a classic now, the VRT should only be the flat rate of €200.
Can we add windows to our van without paying more tax?
Hi,
We have a Peugeot Partner van used for business purposes, tax €333 and I was wondering if we removed the door panels in the back doors to replace them with glass panels would it affect the amount of road tax? It will be still used for commercial purposes. Just a better view for driving and reversing.
Mary Gallagher (Donegal )Aug 2025 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
So long as you don't alter the seating capacity or interior in any way that might suggest the van is used for passengers, it shouldn't make any difference to the classification of the vehicle. It might be worth informing your insurer as it's a modification.