How can I compare all the electric cars?
Hi,
Is there anywhere one can see all currently available electric cars compared, not just under the usual headings of driving range, charging times, 0 to 100km/h time and overall drivability and practicality, but also the overall running costs (electricity charges, road tax etc.), which can vary when you include battery lease models like the Renault Zoe?
Donal M
Donal Murphy (Cork)Apr 2016 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Donal,
Short answer – no. That’s partially down to the fact that such in-depth comparisons have to take into account the type of mileage you do, the electricity tariff you’re on and more. The best I can suggest is that you have a good long look through our various electric car reviews and then use the cost calculators on both the ESB and SEAI websites to further refine your research:
Can I trade my damaged Santa Fe in?
Hi,
My 2004 Hyundai Sante Fe was just written off by the insurance company. Car is still driving, with only some medium bumper damage. It has a bull bar up front and a tow bar out back. Another car rear-ended me. My car was up to date with tax, insurance and NCT all good. Will I qualify for a scrappage scheme? I'm thinking of getting a new Berlingo or Peugeot van.
Thank you
Stephen Larkin (Galway)Apr 2016 Filed under: scrappage
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
You should do - Peugeot has a 'scrappage' scheme (actually just a trade-in booster really) in place against its commercial vehicle range, but you may have to get the Hyundai patched up enough to drive it there. Most schemes have a requirement that the vehicle be taxed and insured when you trade it in.
Any way around paying VRT on import?
Hi,
Could you please tell if there is a way of getting a car into Ireland from the UK without paying VRT? I am interested in bringing in a Peugeot 308 that seem to sell a lot cheaper and have smaller mileage in the UK. Say if I bought the car in Scotland and left it in my brother's house for six months or so (taxed and insured in my name), could I bring the car back to Ireland without paying the dreaded VRT?
Who is to say I wasn't using the car in the UK?
Thank you
Ruairi Mc Carthy (Mullagh Co Cavan)Apr 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Ruairi,
Nice idea, but it won't work. Do you really think the good folk at Revenue haven't thought of that particular plan before? The official documents state that not only must the car be insured and taxed, you have to have physically been resident overseas too, in "the place where you usually lived, for at least 185 days in the year ending on the date of transfer, because of occupational and personal ties."
There are a bunch of other restrictions on the transfer of address waiver and you can find them here: http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/leaflets/tax-relief-transfer-residence.html
I'd like to bring my car to the UK with me...
Hi,
I am a student studying in a UK university and looking to bring my Irish car from home over here. I'm going to be studying on my course for another two years after this year and then hope to return back to Ireland post-graduation. How do I go about bringing my car over? As far as I know, the AA (my insurance company) will cover me in the UK just like they cover me in Ireland at no extra cost. The car is also already taxed for the year. I'd preferably like to keep the Irish plates on to avoid the hassle of changing plates now and then back again in the future.
Thank you.
John Joe (Mullagh Co Cavan)Mar 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi John,
Sorry, but you'll have to change the plates - if you're bringing a car into the UK you only have to inform HMRC of the car's arrival within 14 days and then begin the re-registering process. The maximum time you could use the car on Irish plates for would be six months. The good news is that the process is relatively painless - you will have to get an MOT test done as the NCT won't be recognised, but other than that it's just some forms to fill out. If it's an older car you won't be liable for any VAT or duty so it'll only cost a little. You can find more details here - https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/overview
Should I go for a new Ford Fiesta EcoBoost?
Hi,
I am interested in buying the new Ford Fiesta EcoBoost 1.0-litre. I am an old age pensioner and badly need a reliable small car. Which car would you advise me to buy: the Fiesta Zetec or Fiesta Titanium? The road tax is cheap either way. I have a 2005 Skoda Octavia 1.4 petrol my local dealer said he would give me €4,400 trade in for. I don't know much about cars so any advice you give me would be appreciated. Or is there something else similar out there I should look at?
Thank you
Billy Mc Elligott (Tralee)Mar 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Billy,
The Fiesta EcoBoost is a really sweet little car, lots of fun to drive, roomy and very frugal. It's a little difficult to know how reliable it will ultimately be in the long-term as the engine itself is a relatively new design and hasn't been around long enough for us to be able to tell exactly how robust it is. That said, Ford's quality record has been good of late, so I'd say it's a reasonably safe bet.
As for which model, it just depends on what your priorities are. A Titanium will have more standard equipment, but it may well be that there's a lot of extras that you simply won't need nor use, so you're probably better off going for the better value of the Zetec.
Other cars that are worth considering would be a Toyota Yaris, Mazda2 and Skoda Fabia. Hope that helps.
Relevant reviews:
How much to tax a Lexus GS 450h hybrid?
What is the annual road tax on the 2006 Lexus GS 450h? Is it based on CO2 or engine size? Do you get any benefit from the fact that it's hybrid?
William Grogan (Cork)Mar 2016 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi William,
Unfortunately not - all cars registered before Jan 1st 2008 are on the old engine capacity system so with a 3.5-litre engine you'll have to pay €1,808 a year in motor tax.
When does a car become exempt from tax?
When does a car become exempt from motor tax?
Patrick Mcnally (Mayo)Mar 2016 Filed under: classic cars
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
There’s no such thing as a total exemption from motor tax, but when a car is 30 years old or older, it becomes eligible for (the slightly erroneously named) Vintage Tax, which is a flat rate of €56 a year.
Which folding hardtop convertible to go for?
I'm looking at hardtop convertibles and have narrowed my choice to a BMW 3 Series post-2007 or a Volvo C70. Then saw a 2001 SC430 Lexus - what's your opinion as regards tax/running/repair costs if I'm not a rich kid? Well-old kid really!
Liz
Liz Mitchell Mannion (Galway)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Liz,
Get the BMW or Volvo – they’re practical, good to drive and at least reasonably economical. The Lexus would be, generally, more reliable than either, but the SC430 was an abomination of a car – big, heavy, not at all sporting and really awful to drive. Plus it has a 4.3-litre V8 engine so tax and fuel costs are extortionate.
Can I find identity of previous bike owners?
Can the motor taxation office reveal the identity of previous owners of vehicles? I bought a vintage motorcycle a few years ago, fixed it up, got a replacement logbook because its own was lost. A man saw it one day and thinks his father owned it years ago. He is interested in buying it back but he is not certain it's the same bike. How do we find out?
Patrick Mcnally (Mayo)Feb 2016 Filed under: logbook
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
We asked vehicle check expert, Cartell.ie, for a steer on this one. Here's the response:
"Identities of previous owners have been covered by the rules on Data Protection for some time now and cannot be disclosed. Vehicle history check companies like Cartell do not hold this information either. In exceptional cases the Gardaí may assist or you can contact the VRU in Shannon for advice."
If a car has been off the road, is tax due?
My daughter has a SsangYong Rexton she has not been using, but did not declare it off the road. There is no road tax on it for about two years. She would like to sell the car. Would she be liable for the tax?
Wendy Quirke (Cork)Feb 2016 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Wendy,
Um, I'm afraid you're into a bit of bother here. Since 2013 if a car is going to be taken off the road, you have to declare it in advance with a form available at all Garda stations. Failure to do so is quite a serious offence, and 'forgetting' won't be accepted as an excuse.
I hope you've got a good solicitor...