Which Hyundai for three baby car seats?
What is the best Hyundai car that will take three baby seats for a four-year-old, a two-year-old and new baby safely? Can a Hyundai Tucson fit three baby seats?
Mary Higgins (Dublin)Feb 2025 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
You won’t get the three rear-facing seats you need in the back of a Hyundai Tucson, no. Obviously you could use the front passenger seat for one of those, but I doubt that’s what you’re asking. The only Hyundai that might manage it is the Santa Fe.
Can taxis use all bus lanes in Dublin?
Are taxis allowed in the bus lane by default or only when indicated on the bus lane sign? Is there any specific regulation regarding this topic that is applicable to Dublin city?
Farzana S (Dublin)Feb 2025 Filed under: taxi
Expert answer
Hi Farzana,
Unlike the UK, where specific mention of a taxi is required on the signage, in Ireland (including Dublin), taxis are permitted to use all bus lanes. However, technically they are only allowed do so when they are actively working, which typically means carrying a fare-paying passenger. This policy is outlined in the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, which state that fare-carrying taxis may operate in bus lanes during the course of business.
There is one exception: contra-flow bus lanes - those that allow buses to travel against the general flow of traffic - are typically restricted to buses only. Taxis are generally not permitted to use contra-flow bus lanes unless explicitly indicated by signage.
Worth importing a Passat estate from the UK?
Hi,
I'm looking to change from my 2011 VW Passat Saloon 1.4 petrol. This has been a great car for me and I’m looking to change to a 2022/2023 VW Passat Estate - 1.5 petrol. These are thin on the ground here and as they aren't sold here anymore this will become even more so. There are plenty around in the UK but I’m wondering if there are still the same savings to be made when importing from the UK as there once was?
Brendan Cullen (Dublin)Jan 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
The savings are not what they were, and effectively non-existent if you're talking about England, Scotland or Wales. The only realistic option is to look to Northern Ireland as most cars won't be subject to VAT and import duty, just VRT and the NOx levy. Read more below:
Love your VW ID.7 Tourer review...
Not a question, just a compliment: love the ID.7 Tourer review. It’s engaging, clearly knowledgeable and beautifully written. Thank you from a driver of a new (well 242) Octavia estate Selection box. Sweet (excuse the pun!).
Gerry Earley (Co Dublin)Jan 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Thanks for the kind words Gerry - I've passed on your comments to the author, Neil.
For anyone else interested, the full review can be accessed here.
Looking at buying a Suzuki Jimny...
Hi there,
am looking at purchasing a 2024 Suzuki Jimny for private use. I can either purchase the two-seat LCV model and insure and tax it privately or I could go for the more expensive four-seat Sierra import model (Japanese domestic model I believe) that some dealers in Ireland are offering.
Would the imported model have to undergo an NCT rather than a CVRT? And if so, would it fail on emissions as this is why Suzuki no longer sell them as private vehicles I believe?
Derek (Cork)Jan 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Derek,
On registration, the imported four-seat Jimny/Sierra would presumably be defined as a passenger car, in which case it would have to undergo an NCT.
So long as the car is "Euro 6" compliant then it will pass the emissions tests. Make sure you check that with the seller and ask for proof or that in writing before you commit to the sale.
How much to import a Toyota Land Cruiser?
Hello,
I am considering importing a 3.0-litre diesel 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser Icon seven-seater. However, I can't find any VRT estimate on Revenue’s site. Would you have any idea how much would it cost to import it approximately?
Cheers,
Roman
Roman Spinu (Kells)Dec 2024 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Roman,
The VRT calculation for a private car import depends on two things. The first is the VRT band, determined by the car's CO2 emissions. That Land Cruiser will be in the top band, with VRT at 41 per cent of the OMSP. The OMSP is the Open Market Selling Price, the second item we need. Unfortunately, it's a tricky thing to estimate in some cases as it's the price Revenue believes the vehicle would sell for in Ireland, fully registered etc, which may not correspond with how much you pay for the car abroad.
In the case of the Land Cruiser, most are commercial vehicles in Ireland so it's not easy to get a good feel for their value as a passenger car. For the sake of our calculation, let's say it's €40,000, though I'd not be shocked if Revenue suggested higher...
With an OMSP of €40,000, the VRT would be €16,400.
This car will attract a very high NOx levy as well so don't forget that and, if you're importing it from England, Scotland or Wales, you'll also have VAT and import duty to pay.
Make sure you read our Guide to importing cars from the UK or the Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland if that applies.
How long is the Hyundai Inster inside?
Hello,
Can you tell me the internal length from front dash to boot door (passenger side) on the upcoming Hyundai Inster EV please? I understand all the seats have a ‘fold flat’ option for cargo and I need to be able to carry a load approx 165cm x 40 x 40.
Thanks very much.
Jane Bryant (Cork)Nov 2024 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jane,
Good news, it looks like that should fit in. I didn't have a tape measure with me when driving the car, but I used the measure function of an iPhone and the distance came in at a little more than two metres, so even if that's not very accurate, you should have plenty to spare.
And yes, the seat backs all fold down flat. Works well.
What rights do I have with my mechanic?
My car needed a new engine due to back pressure issues and a mechanic put in a 2011 2.0-litre Volkswagen Passat engine that he sourced for me, but the engine isn’t running right at all.
He told me it’s fine and to give it a good drive, but since then it’s sluggish while changing gears, there’s smoke and it wouldn’t start for me the other night. I have rang said mechanic and he has told me that it’s up to me to ring the person he sourced the engine off.
Where do I stand here? Is it up to me to pay labour all over again? Should it be me ringing the person he sourced the engine off?
The only problem with my old engine was oil around its injectors. I got them replaced but same thing happened so I opted for a new engine which I was told my multiple people I should do. Am I at a loss here? Is it worth chasing my mechanic over the problems?
Thanks!
Megan Murray (Kilcormac)Nov 2024 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Megan,
That's a very difficult situation and also not easy to untangle from a legal perspective. The mechanic certainly has some responsibility if they sourced the engine for you, though I'd suggest that extends only to communicating with the seller of the engine. They are ultimately responsible for its condition, depending on how it was presented to your mechanic.
Go back to the mechanic and tell them you think it's their responsibility to sort out one way or another and see how you get on. If you have no luck, consider getting in touch with the CPCC (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission) as it may be well-placed to advise you.
Hopefully you have all of this fully documented.
Best of luck
Can I get an NI dealer to import a car for me?
Hi,
Great article 'Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland'. I'm looking to import a used car (older than two years) from NI to ROI but as the NI market is very limited in stock for the make/model I'm looking for the car would need to originally come from GB (bigger market, more choice).
With the latest Revenue guidelines on 'Vehicles that were not previously in use in NI', in theory is there any downside (legally or financially) to me asking an NI dealer to buy a specific car from a GB dealer on my behalf but in the dealer's name, import it to NI under the Windsor Framework and sell the car to me for import to ROI and give me a copy of the NI Customs Declaration?
Do I understand correctly from Revenue's guidelines and your article that this would then leave me liable to VRT but not to ROI customs or VAT?
When importing the car to NI, does the dealer have to pay UK customs and VAT that they would then likely have to pass the cost on to me in the form of a higher sale price? Or can the NI dealer reclaim the UK VAT upon selling the car to me for export to ROI?
I just want to pre-determine any additional costs beyond VRT and any fee the NI dealer may add on.
Thanks in advance for your help
George Davis (GREYSTONES)Sep 2024 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi George,
I believe your thinking is all correct, except that there is no onus on the dealer to pass on the VAT reclaim saving to you.
Thinking of getting a BMW i3...
Hi,
Are EVs exempt from VRT if looking to import one? Having trouble with the Passat and if and when it gets sorted my wife wants it gone and to treat ourselves so started looking at used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe but tow truck friend warning us away from the 2.0 diesels: "doesn't matter who had it, where or how often it's been serviced or easy life, they are all trouble." And 3.0 diesel harder to find here but still give timing chain trouble.
Son is 20 and learning to drive so depending on cost to fix may dictate keeping it so third car turning to a BMW i3. When I met my wife she drove a SEAT Arosa and we kept that and I used it for my backroad commute to work for years as economical second car runabout.
With fuel, both diesel and petrol rising it might tick a few boxes to look at small economical runabout, it's auto so will suit both wife and son and our first step into EV.
Earlier with the range extender seems lower on the recommend list compared to the later fully electric 2018 onwards or i3S model.
ROS VRT site looks like it has had an update and gave both i3 and i3S options but wasn't clever enough to blank out NOx and CO2 fields. When checking rates for i3S it auto filled a figure for NOx, which I just cancelled out.
Ideally I'd like to buy from a BMW or SIMI dealer with history and warranty and liked your article on importing from Northern Ireland.
Appreciate any advice on importing an i3 (or 4 Series Gran Coupe) from up North
Regards
Damien McGettrick (Lusk)Sep 2024 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Damien,
First up, the BMW i3 is a great option for your needs based on what you told us. It's a cracking compact car that will cost you nothing to run and is an idea runabout. And yes, I'd agree that the fully electric version is the best one, especially when you have access to other cars in the household for longer journeys.
I really like the 4 Series Gran Coupe as well, but understand the reticence to trust the diesel engines. Would you consider a petrol one instead perhaps? The NOx levy on the diesel on importation can be expensive as well. Because of potential engine issues I'd be inclined to stick with a local BMW dealer and get as good a warranty as you can.
Obviously electric cars don't emit any NOx or CO2, so it's a bit bizarre if Revenue's site can't deal with that... There is a VRT exemption up to €5,000 and anyway, it's only 7 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP).
If you're looking to buy in the North, just make sure the car has been registered and used by a private individual in the North for at least three months before you import it, and that must be verified by documentation. Then no VAT or import duty should be due, just VRT - and the NOx levy if applicable.
Hopefully all that helps, but come back to us with other specific questions if you need more assistance of course.