How to pay for importing a car from the UK?
Hey guys, I am thinking of importing a car from the UK. I was just wondering if you have any advice as to the cheapest way of paying for it, i.e. where to get the best conversion rate?
Aden Mc (Laois)Nov 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Aden,
You could be better off asking your accountant or your bank manager about that one. It's true that the recent fall in the value of Sterling has made buying an import far more enticing, but it's still easy to get caught by hidden bank charges and commission rates when converting currencies. We have had very good experience with transferring money through TransferWise, an online company set up by the people who created Skype, but you'll need a pre-existing Sterling account for that.
Audi A5 Sportback or BMW 4 Series Coupe?
I really like the look of the new Audi A5 Sportback. Would you have it over the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe? Thinking 2.0-litre diesel for a '171' plate.
Peter Boyle (Dublin 4)Oct 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
Sounds like an excellent choice. Our Editor, Shane, has driven the Sportback on its international launch recently and rates it. The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is a little sharper to drive, but the new A5 has caught up some in the dynamic stakes, added to which it's truly gorgeous inside and out. Here are links to his test drives:
Will the VRT change in January?
Would there be a difference in VRT due if a car was bought in November or wait until January?
Ray Gavin (Mullingar)Oct 2016 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Ray,
If you're buying a new car, then no. There were no changes to the VRT rates announced in the budget so there'll be no difference in rates in January.
My 2015 Qashqai has an unwanted vibration.
I have a 2015 Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel. Recently there is a severe vibration from the passenger side front of the car on standing idle. It disappears after a slight rev on the engine is applied. Would appear the car body is lightly built and the diesel engine vibrates the engine mountings. Is this a common fault and or have you had other queries similar to this on the Qashqai?
William Neale (Dublin)Mar 2016 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi William,
Clearly your car is still under warranty so if you think the vibration is "severe" then you should get it back to the dealer for a look. They'll soon sort it out if it is indeed a problem such as a fauly engine mounting.
We've not had any other queries of the same nature on the Qashqai and we've always found the 1.5 dCi engine relatively smooth.
I'm thinking of changing to a Skoda Octavia.
Hi,
I'm seriously considering changing to a Skoda Octavia, but I am undecided whether to get brand new or a second hand example up to three years' old. The 0% APR finance offer is obviously very tempting on a new car, but I'm just wondering if you think there's value in the second hand market? How does the Octavia's depreciation rate compare in the first two years with two to five years?
I'm also a bit puzzled by the different specifications that have been available since 2013. Can you give any clarity on this? It looks like in 2013 they were offering Ambition, Exclusive and Elegance, but it's now Active, Ambition and Style. Which ones were/are the better equipped models?
Thanks.
Gerry Connolly (Skerries, Dublin)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
I think it's well worth considering a new Octavia, not least because the PCP rates are very tempting and it insulates you from any depreciation (which is pretty mild on an Octavia at any rate - it should retain at least 50 per cent value after three years). Used ones are good too, of course, but it's tempting to have that shiny new one with a full three-year warranty.
As for trims, well spotted - Skoda did indeed shuffle around its trim levels so that Ambition, which used to be the lowest spec, is now actually a well-equipped mid-range. It's worth going for as it comes with items like nice alloy wheels, a 5.8-inch touch screen for the stereo, multi-function steering wheel and Bluetooth.
How much to replace my Astra's oil seal?
Hi,
I was just wondering how much it would cost to replace a crankshaft oil seal on a 1.4 Opel Astra SXi?
Amanda Kelly (Skerries, Dublin)Jun 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Amanda,
You may get lower labour rates at an independent garage, but we rang an Opel dealer to get a starting point. If it's the front crankshaft oil seal then it'll be about €170 (1.5 hours), but the rear seal is much more expensive to replace as the gearbox needs to be taken out and put back in, which is estimated at 5.5 hours of work. That costs about €580.
In both cases, those prices include VAT, labour and parts, but there might be a small bit more to cover topping up the oil.
Explain the Honda Civic Tourer's suspension.
Can you explain the Honda Civic Tourer's suspension system?
Cormac Mac Carthy (Dublin)Jun 2015 Filed under: optional extras
Expert answer
Hi Cormac,
It's a bit of an odd system actually. In basic form, the Civic Tourer comes with a torsion bar suspension (old-fashioned and not very sophisticated, but space-efficient and cheap to make) and 'passive' dampers and springs. Spec it up though, and it comes with adaptive electronically controlled dampers, supplied by suspension expert Sachs. These can be switched between Comfort, Normal and Sport modes that basically translates as Soft, Medium and Firm. You won't notice a huge difference between the three modes, to be honest, but you will notice that an adaptive damper-equipped Civic does feel better balanced to drive, and rides more comfortably, than the standard car. That's because the rear dampers are constantly adjusting their stiffness and reaction rates to cope with the road. The odd part is that the adaptive dampers are only on the rear suspension, not on the front. Presumably this is for cost reasons, but it does lead to the occasionally odd sensation that the car is somehow hinged at the rear...
Any performance difference between 1.2 and 1.4 Audi A3?
Is there much difference in acceleration/performance between the 1.2 petrol and the 1.4 petrol Audi A3?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi F D,
There is a very, very slight difference. The A3 1.4 TFSI 125hp accelerates from 0-100km/h in 9.4 seconds, while the 1.2 TFSI 110hp does the same job in 9.9 seconds. Half a second is a lifetime in F1, but if you can actually tell the difference in the road then I'd suggest you change your name to Raikkonen and give Ferrari a ring...
What is the tax on the Lexus RX 400h?
What are the tax rates for a Lexus RX 400 Hybrid?
Pat Cuffe (Dublin)Mar 2015 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
The RX 400h has CO2 emissions of 192g/km so that puts it in Band F, which means annual road tax of €1,200. You might be better off trying to get a current-shape RX 450h, which is in Band B2 in front-wheel drive form.
How much VRT will I pay when importing a car from the UK?
Hello, how much VRT would there be on a car from the UK costing £8,500 with emmissions of 154g/km?
Ann Masterson (Dublin)Jan 2015 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Ann,
It's not always possible to know exactly based on what you've just told me, I'm afraid, so you should check with Revenue. The value of the car it works with is not what you paid for it, but what it determines to be the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) - and it will take into account optional extras fitted to the vehicle.
Nonetheless, assuming that the OMSP is £8,500, that equates to about €12,000 at today's exchange rates (13 March, 2015). A CO2 figure of 154g/km puts it in Band C, which is 20 per cent VRT, or €2,400.
Further reading: