How much to replace a Mondeo's head gasket?
How much would it be to replace the head gasket in a MK5 Ford Mondeo?
Jonathan Byrne (Tallaght)Apr 2025 Filed under: repair
Expert answer
Hi Jonathan,
We don't usually attempt to give readers estimates for repair work to their cars as there is such variability out there in terms of labour rates, quoted prices and even parts prices depending on where you go to get the work done.
I will say that it's a very big job that's unlikely to cost less than €1,000 and comes with nearly 15 hours of solid labour on the car.
The full extent of the engine damage won't be clear until the cylinder head has been taken off as well, so no mechanic is likely to give you a fixed price before they start.
Please do come back to us when you've done the work and give us an account of it all, as that may be of use to another reader in the future.
Can I tax a commercial privately?
Can I tax a commercial Hyundai privately? And how much does it cost?
John Ward (Cremully And Aghagad Beg Fuerty )Apr 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi John,
Yes, you just need to inform the motor tax office of the change of use of the commercial. The rate varies as it goes by the engine size of the vehicle in this case, odd as that seems. That's even for commercials that are newer than 2008. To see those rates, go to our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature.
Is the tax on this 2008 2.0-litre petrol car correct?
Hi there,
I'm looking to buy an already imported car here in Ireland. It's already imported and registered by a private seller. He claims the motor tax is only 400 Euro but it's a 2008 2.0-litre petrol model emitting 199g/km.
When I check the motor tax rates for this car it should be a lot higher with both rates before and after July 2008.
When I check the reg number on Revenue's site it does come back at 400 Euro.
Is this a mistake? So how much would my motor tax be if I imported the same car with the same engine and CO2 emissions?
Thanks so much for your help in advance.
Kind regards
Ed (Leixlip)Apr 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Ed,
The only tax rate that is exactly €400 is for cars registered between 2008 and 2021 with CO2 emissions of 141-155g/km. If the car in question actually emits 199g/km then there does appear to have been a mistake made.
Unfortunately, that has no bearing on what would happen if you imported such a car yourself. In fact, if the 199g/km rating is according to the old “NEDC” system, then Revenue will uplift it to an equivalent WLTP figure for VRT and tax calculations. It comes out as 298g/km, meaning a potential €2,400 per year motor tax bill.
If the 199g/km is actually the WLTP figure, then the annual bill is a more palatable €790.
Are VRT rates the same for Northern Irish cars?
Hi,
Looking at buying a 2003 MINI Cooper S. My online VRT calculation is saying the VRT rate is 41 per cent of OMSP due to the CO2 rate. The car is Northern Irish; is it still the same 41 per cent rate for Northern Irish cars?
Alex (Mitchelstown)Apr 2025 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Alex,
I'm afraid VRT rates are the same regardless of where the car comes from. They apply to the first time a car is registered in Ireland
Why two different motor tax rates for the same BMW?
Two cars, different years pay different rates of motor tax yet they have the same engine and same CO2:
Reg 171 D 61663 pays €190 annually
Reg 182 D 26928 pays €600 annually
What's the difference?
Alexander Papathomas (Dublin 7)Mar 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Alexander,
We've looked those cars up. Both are BMW M140i with slightly different specification, but both powered by the same 3.0-litre petrol engine.
Using Revenue's website to check the tax rates by reg does indeed show the discrepancy you've found and it suggests that the 171 car's emissions are in the 101-110g/km range, which is just impossible with that engine. We're not sure how that could have happened.
Someone somewhere put the wrong details in the system for that car.
Looking to import a Range Rover for my business...
I am looking at buying a 2012 ‘L322’ Range Rover from NI; can I tax it for commercial tax if I have a VAT number and I have my own business?
Michael (Thurles Co,Tipperary)Feb 2025 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
To qualify for commercial tax rates, the Range Rover must have had its rear seats removed and a bulkhead fitted. Or be previously classed as an “N1” commercial. You can’t just bring in a regular SUV such as the Range Rover and tell Revenue it’s a commercial, even if you do have a legitimate business.
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.
How much to tax our Renault horse truck?
I am wondering if you are able to help me as I find the car tax system confusing. We have a 1991 Renault horse lorry that is now 30 years old, a 3.5T model. What should it cost to tax?
Olivia Hodges (Cahir)Nov 2021 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Olivia,
In theory, once any vehicle is 30 years old or older, it qualifies for so-called ‘vintage’ tax — which is a mere €56 per year. If for any reason your truck doesn’t qualify, then it’ll be taxed according to its engine capacity. Rates for any goods vehicle under 3,000cc start at €333 per annum.
How much to tax a commercial privately?
Hi,
How much would it cost roughly to tax a commercial van like a Ford Transit ot Transit Connect LWB or something similar for private use?
Thanks.
Rhys Rutherford (Ballinasloe )Mar 2021 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Rhys,
If you tax a commercial vehicle for private use then it reverts to the old by-engine-capacity system that was there pre-2008. You'll find the rates in our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature, and it might be worth your while reading Buying a commercial vehicle for private use as well.
Looking for outright comfort in a car...
I am trying to identify the car that will provide the best possible ride quality for my wife who suffers from chronic pain due to multiple injuries.
So far she has found an Audi A3 and Audi A4 too hard, a Mercedes A 220 much better but with a seat that pushes her neck forward, a Volvo V40 R-Design with the best seat for her so far but too harsh a ride.
Perhaps you cannot say precisely what brand and model of car might be more suitable but the factors that overall might offer the best solution. Under consideration at the moment are a Volvo XC40 or XC60 and a Subaru Forester.
Thanks.
Seamus - Dublin 14
Seamus Connolly (Dublin 14)Mar 2021 Filed under: comfort
Expert answer
Hi Seamus,
This is obviously a tricky decision, and we wish your wife all the best in coping with this. When it comes to ride quality, the most important factors are the stiffness, overall, of the suspension, the size of the wheels, and the sidewall depth of the tyres. Basically, smaller wheels and normal suspension is the rule of thumb if you’re trying to get a car with a soft ride quality.
SUVs are actually generally quite bad for ride quality. That sounds counter-intuitive, because of course they’re taller and have longer-travel suspension, but the problem is that the springs and dampers have to be stiffened up to prevent the higher centre of gravity from inducing too much body roll. I would therefore suggest that keeping away from SUVs would be a good bet.
That said, the Subaru Forester you’ve mentioned below does indeed have a soft ride quality, again as long as you avoid the larger alloy wheel options. Ditto the smaller Subaru XV, which is helpfully lower to the ground and can get away with slightly softer suspension rates. Citroen, of course, is famed for having pillowy-soft ride quality, and the current C5 Aircross is pretty soft and springy, and has great seats into the bargain. You should definitely look at a Toyota Camry as well (very soft, and again with great seats) and the Skoda Superb.
Avoid anything that has a sporty designation (S line, R-Line, M Sport etc) as that will almost automatically have stiffer springs and bigger wheels.
Hope that helps. Below are links to our reviews of the cars mentioned above: