Will my creaking Colt pass its NCT?
Hi, can you please help?
My 2004 Mitsubishi Colt needs its two outer CV joints replacing as it creaks when turning the wheel, though it does not affect the drive quality. I am having trouble finding the parts as it's a Japanese import. My main concern is will it pass its NCT with the creaking?
Thanks
Sue
Sue Doyle (Wicklow )Sep 2020 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Sue,
It's unlikely that your car will pass the NCT in that state. It's very possible that the rubber boots over the CV joints have been damaged and the car could be declared to have a dangerous defect, which means you would not be allowed to drive it away from the NCT centre. This is a safety issue, not just a noise problem, so you really shouldn't drive the car until you get it fixed.
How much to import a UK Citroen Berlingo?
Hi,
How much would it cost to change the English plates on a Citroen Berlingo 1.6 diesel, 2016 reg?
Colman Burke (Sligo)Sep 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Colman,
Well, it depends. If it’s a van, then you’ll pay 13.3 per cent Vehicle Registration Tax, based on the vehicle’s Irish market value, which would be around €8-9,000. Which would mean in and around the €1,000 mark, depending on the model and spec. If it’s a Berlingo passenger version, then you’re looking at a VRT cost of around €4,500, including the NOx levy (and assuming a NOx figure of 158mg/km).
Can I, as a private driver, buy a crew cab?
Recently returned home from Australia, looking at buying second hand Land Rover Discovery or Range Rover. I’m confused with the commercial crew cab idea. If I buy a crew cab as a private driver, no small business or VAT number, can I drive it and get it taxed commercially or am I going to make trouble for myself?
Cheers
Paul
Paul Lynch (Nenagh)Sep 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
Short answer: yes. The good bit is that you can still pick up second hand crew-cabs, or large SUVs that (briefly, technically) qualified as commercial vehicles and they are generally cheaper to buy than their regular passenger car counterparts. However, if you tax such a vehicle as a commercial, you can only use it as such — no social, domestic, nor pleasure use and there are some hefty fines if you’re caught out.
Will my van fail its retest?
My van is going for retest, after track rod end and headlight sorted, but the ABS light has just come on: will it fail the retest?
Tony Knox (Ballina)Aug 2020 Filed under: brakes
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
As far as we are aware, only the items that failed the van in the first test will be re-checked, though of course, if a tester notices the ABS light, it might fail on that. And at the end of the day, the van's roadworthiness is your responsibility, so you really should get the ABS sorted, regardless of passing the test.
Any NOx levy on campervans?
What is the VRT charge on UK-imported campervans, and is there a NOx tax on said campervan?
Thanks
Peter Pierce (Galway)Aug 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
Campers are now charged at the standard 13.3 per cent of the Irish market value, as defined by Revenue. They’re not subject to the NOx tax, though — that’s only for passenger cars.
What's up with my Fiat 500X electrics?
I have a 2016 1.4 petrol Fiat 500X MultiAir. My stop-start system says it is not available and drive mode unavailable with symbols for start-stop and engine fault on the dashboard. This has been happening on and off for some time. The car just seems to reset after a week or so. I have done 58,000 miles and it has just passed its NCT and has had a service.
Ann Godfrey (Irvine)Jul 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Ann,
We'd suspect the battery or alternator aren't performing at their best. Stop-start issues are very commonplace, across all cars. So much so that we've written a feature for drivers on the subject: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
Can I drive my Volvo without tax and NCT?
I have a 1992 Volvo that I bought new; it has been in the garage for the last 10 years and I would like to put it back on the road. I had the local mechanic look at it and he said that if he drove it 30 miles down the road to take the surface rust off the discs it would probably pass an NCT. However, I would like to take it to the garage and have the discs and pads changed along with the brake hoses. The question is, can I drive it to the garage without tax and NCT?
Best wishes, Chris Keohane
Christopher Keohane (Bantry Co Cork)Jul 2020 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Christopher,
Technically, no, I’m afraid not. For any car (any vehicle, for that matter) to be legally driven on the road, it has to be both taxed and insured. Your best bet is to get it trailered to the garage, really.
Can I scrap a UK Passat in Ireland?
I have a UK-reg 2007 Volkswagen Passat saloon; can I scrap the car in the Republic of Ireland?
Rik Khan (Limerick)Jun 2020 Filed under: scrappage
Expert answer
Hi Rik,
If you mean literally haul it to a scrapyard and have it taken to bits, then yes, that won’t be a problem. If you mean take advantage of one of the numerous 'scrappage' offers that are around at the moment, then no. Most of those offers have stipulations that say the car you’re trading in has to be taxed and insured (often for up to six months beforehand), and driven to the dealership under its own power.
Toyota Avensis or Mazda CX-5?
I am driving approx 52k yearly in a 1.6-litre diesel 161 VW Passat with 125,000km on the clock. Thinking of changing to a 171 Mazda CX-5 2.2 with 62,000km or a 161 Toyota Avensis 2.0-litre with 98,000km. Which is the better option or is there another I should be looking at?
Mags
Mags Smith (CARRICK-ON-SHANNON)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mags,
OK, there’s a bit of a balance to be struck, here. The Avensis would, normally, be a good, solid choice and of the two cars you’ve mentioned, it’s the more economical overall. However, we’re always slightly wary of cars that may have been used in the past as taxis, so you’d want to carefully check the history on that one, using Cartell.ie, for example.
The Mazda CX-5 is one of our favourite cars, but if it’s a 2017 model you’re looking at, then you’d want to make sure that it’s the second-generation CX-5 — not that the older car is bad or anything, but the newer version is a deal more sophisticated and refined, so worth stretching the budget for. The current version arrived in Ireland during 2017. It would be a bit thirstier than the Avensis but of the two it would be our choice.
Others worth looking at? Honda’s CR-V is always an excellent choice (massively roomy, hugely reliable), VW Passat (go for the estate), or the Skoda Superb. Here are a few our reviews to help:
Insurance cost for new Tesla Model 3?
I'm a 70-year-old female with full NCB, buying new Tesla Model 3; how much will my insurance be?
Susan Hay (Shaftesbury)Jun 2020 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Susan,
Sadly, we have no idea. Insurance in Ireland is a minefield so complex that it could put off an entire tank battalion. With your age (insurers tend to get a little jumpy once a driver passes the age of 70 — not fair, but little in Irish insurance is) and the fact that the Tesla Model 3 has some pretty potent performance, I would suspect you could be looking at quite a chunky premium. My advice would — obviously — be to shop around as much as you can, but also to find a good local insurance broker who may be able to help you winkle out some better deals.