Expert answer

Hi James,

It is an interesting thought but I am not entirely sure if they could implement it. Measurement of CO₂ on cars is a relatively new thing and there aren't always CO₂ figures for older cars in existence. You will notice that when you try and import and older car. As it stands, if they don't have a figure for an older car available then they charge the full 36 per cent. So to be honest I would imagine that any change like this would be unlikely for now. 

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Hi Ria,

Of course it would depend on the physical condition of the car and the mileage, but you should expect to be offered, at the very least, around €6,500 - €7,000 for your car as a trade-in. Cars of this age would have around 90,000 miles so that would be around what you could expect to be offered. 

But as we always say, don't be too fixated on the value of your car, but rather the cost to change. 

I hope this helps. P

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Hi Andrew,

According to Ciaran Allen, Sales Manager of Mercedes-Benz, "Stop/start is the main factor in reducing CO₂ and is available now on manual models. We are not expecting full availability on stop/start including seven-speed auto until August production - September arrival. Because of our market seasonality August and September are not big production months for us, so while it will be available we really consider E-Class seven-speed as a 2012 car. The model price won't be reduced but the auto road tax will go from band C to band B."

Hope that answers your question?

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Hi William,

Assuming we're talking about new cars or those that are less than six months old (and have less than 6,000km on the clock):

VAT qualifying cars are those that the UK vendor may sell on without charging for VAT to the following:

• a customer in a country outside the EU
• someone who isn't registered for VAT who will take a new car to another EU country
• a VAT-registered business in the EU

In your case, yes, you'd still have to pay Irish VAT and VRT.

Some light official reading for you around this subject that may explain more:

Revenue.ie: New vehicles purchased by a private individual from a VAT-registered person, including a motor dealer, in another country

HM Revenue & Customs: Sending your motor vehicle to another EU country from the UK

HM Revenue & Customs: Motor dealers and VAT: selling new or used vehicles and extras

Hope that answers your question

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Hi Sinead,

Without hesitation I would advise you go for the 2011 5 Series over the older BMW X5. The new 5 Series is an absolute gem of a car and if you can stretch to the Touring estate model then it'll be even more spacious. The 520d is far better on fuel than the X5 and will cost you less in road tax too. On top of that, being newer, the 5 Series will have more of its warranty intact.

However, I urge you to go to a dealer and drive both, as the 5 Series is much lower down than the X5 and, while that's not important to me personally, it may be to you. Only one way to find out!

Let us know how you get on.

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Hi Martin,

We really rate the VW Group's new 1.6-litre TDI engine. It's quiet, refined and great on fuel. However, while it's relatively torquey, it does feel a little short on power when it's lumbered with a lot of weight to carry around. You're in a good position being able to afford either engine. We'd definitely recommend you go for the 2.0-litre TDI Passat in this case. It's a great car and has plenty of power to carry around the family.

If you need any further help, please do get in touch.

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Hi Sean,

Out of the three cars here, by far the best value under scrappage is the Hyundai i30. You could have a petrol model for as little as €13,995. The diesel is €15,495, which is quite a bit more. If your annual mileage is small then you should perhaps save some money and buy the petrol model. I know everyone buys diesel cars these days but the petrol alternative will only cost you €52 more than the diesel each year to tax and if your mileage is low then you wouldn't see much of a saving on fuel in the diesel car anyway.

The Peugeot 308 is comfortable and good on fuel.

If you are planning on changing the new car quite soon, then the Focus will be worth the most money as a trade-in, but I think the Hyundai would be the best buy in this case for you.

I hope this helps.

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Hi Joe,

Yes there is a difference, but it has nothing to do with the fact that one of them is imported from the UK. The 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo is taxed on the old system, which is scaled according to engine size. As its engine is larger than 3,000cc the annual tax is €1,566.

As the 2009 model was registered after the 2008 changeover to CO₂-emissions based taxation, and its emissions are higher than 226g/km, it is considered to be in the highest group, Band G. That attracts a significantly more expensive €2,100 annual bill.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

Diesel cars are now outselling petrol cars by 3 to 1 and of the petrol models that are selling, they are mainly small runabouts. The fact is that the majority of people are being drawn to the lowest possible road tax and in some cases, oddly, this means that they are actually spending more on the car then they really should have. There seems little sense to spend €2,000 - €3,000 more on a diesel car if you are saving €50 a year in road tax and your mileage is low, but that is the way it seems to be happening right now.

The problem with this is that buyers are missing out on on some really good petrol cars. Fiat and Volkswagen in particular have some smart new petrol engines. Take for example the Jetta, which you  mentioned: the new one is out now, but in the older model there was a 105hp 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine and most people baulked at this because they thought it would be too weedy for the car. The same is true of the 1.4-litre TSI, while both are more than capable of adequate performance. 

In terms of fuel economy, sure enough the diesel will usually trump the petrol, but this will only really start to make monetary sense when you do a lot of mileage. It you intend on high mileage, then you are probably better off sticking with the diesel car - Volkswagens are generally quite good at mega mileage, as are Skodas.

We've been getting quite a few queries about DPFs (diesel particulate filters) here in CompleteCar.ie but Mazda appears to be the only brand showing up faults. The Passat though has not been without its troubles and, to be honest, I am not sure if I would be buying a used one with a lot of kilometres on the clock if big mileage is likely.

You mentioned the Jetta, well this one we found would be a top buy. It has just 14,000 miles on the clock, the right 2.0-litre diesel engine and is within your budget. This would be a good buy.

Expert answer

Hi Paul,

These cars are really very similar and it can be difficult to seperate them when you compare them in almost every category. You didn't mention the Skoda Octavia or Superb here which is surprising since they are rated so highly by the taxi industry and they are also ultra reliable. The Passat hasn't always been that reliable while there appear to be fewer problems with the Mondeo. Having said that, both engines are really very good though and will be super frugal.

To be honest, I would probably still go with the Passat as it looks and feels a little more upmarket and that would be good in your line of work.