Expert answer

Hi Wayne,

I think it's a good time to change into an EV if it suits your needs. With that mileage, you really would have to have a charger at home to keep the cost down and to make charging as convenient as possible.

Once you do make the changeover you'll never want to go back. I speak from experience on that score (we're on our second new EV) despite still classing myself as a 'petrolhead'. A Volkswagen ID.4 did us well for three years on PCP (we also have three kids and that car had ample room for our needs) before we replaced it this year.

Don't expect technology and range to dramatically improve overnight as that just won't happen - it'll be a gradual improvement with each year. PCP is well suited to making that change without worrying too much about future values.

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.

Expert answer

Hi Raymond,

Following on from our separate conversation, you've confirmed that car is on a Northern Ireland number plate, so I'd assume it has been used in the North by a private individual for quite some time. A quick check of the UK's MOT history service confirms the car was tested in the North since at least 2018.

You'll need documentation to prove all this on importation, but it would appear that you will not be liable for VAT or import duty on this car.

So then it's just VRT and the NOx levy.

It would appear that the NOx rating is 23mg/km, which means a bill of €150 if that's correct.

The CO₂ rating appears to be 190g/km, though that would be on the old pre-WLTP system and it needs to be 'uplifted' by Revenue's calculations. That would bring it into the top band, at 41 per cent of the OMSP (Open Market Selling Price). The OMSP is the value Revenue believes the car to be worth on the Irish market, and it's not always an easy figure to guess accurately.

There don't see to be many similar cars on sale in Ireland now so our job is made more difficult by that. If you assume an OMSP of €12,000 as a worst case then VRT would be 41 per cent of that, at €4,920. Obviously, that final figure depends massively on the OMSP.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Joshua,

The belt in your car is a 'long life' belt and doesn't need to be checked until it has passed 240,000km.

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

In our time with that car back in 2022 (assuming you mean the regular hybrid, not the plug-in model), we averaged about 6.2 litres/100km so the car is clearly capable of better. 

Obviously fuel consumption depends on many factors, including driving style, where and how fast you are driving and even how well-maintained the engine is. Make sure you're not carrying around any unnecessary weight in the car, remember that roof/bike racks affect the consumption and check your tyre pressures. 

Other than all that, check how clean the air filter is. 

Expert answer

Hi John,

The plug-in hybrid model would be very cheap to run if you can keep its battery charged up at home or work to carry out those small local journeys you mentioned, but it will certainly be thirstier than your current diesel on longer drives where you can't charge up the battery from an external source. You'll need to do the maths and decide whether you can actually keep it charged up easily.

If you want us to look for alternatives, come back to us with a rough budget, whether you want a new or used car and the number of people you need to carry regularly and we'll see what else might suit you.

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

A battery in a PHEV (and an EV for that matter) and its various components are no less waterproof or more susceptible to damage in such conditions than an engine and its various components. EVs and PHEVs go through the same stringent quality control checks and have to withstand the same lifecycle as their petrol-powered counterparts. 

Expert answer

Hi Brendan,

In your case, it'll likely depend on your driving style. The driving you described really suits a diesel engine if you tend to accelerate up to speed and maintain the speed limit for most of your journey. If, however, you tend to amble along a little slower than that with a more relaxed outlook, then a hybrid will be just as efficient, while also being a little more 'futureproofed'. 

Depending on the model, we'd expect lower overall maintenance bills for a petrol-fuelled hybrid than a diesel.

And while you didn't specify it, a plug-in hybrid might suit you if you can plug the car in at home and also at work, as very few of them can do 100k on a charge.

Finally, it would be remiss of me not to mention that almost any electric car - used or new - would cope with your commute with ease so long as you could charge it up at home. 

Come back to us if you want to discuss your choice in more depth. 

Expert answer

Hi Fergal,

The answer is yes. And maybe no. And maybe… maybe. We know that Ford will replace the current Mondeo with a new model, but that it will be a crossover, possibly retaining the Mondeo name in some way, or possibly being called the Evos. We know that it will be a tall-ish crossover, rather than a full-on SUV, kind of in the mould of the Subaru Outback, but what we don’t know is whether or not this new Mondeo (or Evos) will be coming to Europe. Right now, it’s being readied for a launch in the Chinese market, as both a petrol and hybrid car.

Ford has committed to going all-electric in Europe, so it’s hard to see how such a car would fit into those plans. It’s more likely that the next-gen Kuga will effectively be the Mondeo replacement for us, with the larger Mustang Mach-E taking on the range-topping duties. 

Expert answer

Hi Fergal,

OK, at the very top of your list should be the Skoda Superb. It’s massive inside, hugely comfortable, has a huge boot, is well made and has an excellent 2.0-litre TDI 150hp diesel engine. It’s well worth checking out the 150hp TSI petrol too though — it's smoother, quieter and nearly as economical unless you're driving at motorway speed all day.

Next go and check out the Mazda6. Now, there’s no five-door fastback version, but there is a hugely handsome Touring estate model, and it’s very good to drive. Tremendous interior quality too. Only problem? Mazda has dropped diesel engines from its line-up, but the 2.0-litre petrol is an excellent unit, and surprisingly economical.

Finally, you could go for one, last Mondeo. It’s coming to the end of its production life right now, but it’s still a firm favourite of ours, and with it being on run-out, you’ll get some proper bargains if you want to buy one of the last ones. 

Read our Skoda Superb reviews

Read our Mazda6 reviews

Read our Ford Mondeo reviews