What to do about my Mazda RX-8 NCT?
Hi,
I have a Mazda RX-8, which was due a test at the start of April. I am wondering what the rules are as regards emission testing. As you probably know, they have a different type of engine and require two-stroke oil, which would leave emissions very high. Do I need to stop adding two-stroke oil before the test or are they not tested for emissions?
Thanks
Patrick
Patrick Sweeney (LETTERKENNY)Jun 2020 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
It’s a bit of a catch-22, adding two-stroke oil to your RX-8 rotary. In theory, it can help with delaying the onset of rotor tip wear, but the problem is that it will destroy your catalytic convertor and that means you definitely won’t pass the NCT. I wouldn’t recommend it. Much better merely to make sure that the engine is properly and regularly serviced, rather than trying any short cuts like two-stroke oil.
Do I have to alter an LCV to go private?
Are there any physical changes i.e. replacing missing seats for say NCT purposes in order to switch from crew cab to private? I presume the commercial tax test is the same as NCT?
Many thanks
Richard Spicer (Bray)Jun 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Richard,
There are no issues in terms of seats etc if you want to run a commercial vehicle as a private car — it’s simply a change in the rate of tax that you pay, and all you have to do is talk to your local motor tax office. You’ll be charged a tax rate based on the cubic capacity of the engine. As for the NCT, you’ll still have to get the vehicle tested on the Light Commercial Vehicle test, every year. Even if it’s taxed privately, it needs that rather than an NCT.
What makes a vehicle a commercial?
What makes a vehicle "commercial"? Is it the type of vehicle or the individual owner's use of it? For example, if I buy a car-van simply because the large boot suits me, but the previous owner used it commercially and taxed, insured and tested it accordingly, what do I have to do to ensure it's considered a private vehicle when I buy it (taxed and insured that way, subject to NCT instead of CRW)? Is there any VAT issue with a private buyer purchasing a used commercially vehicle?
Owen Doyle (Dublin)Jun 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Owen,
In terms of taxing a vehicle as a private car, there are no particular restrictions. All you have to do to tax a commercial vehicle as a private car is to let your local motor tax office know, and they’ll shift your tax to the old engine capacity system, instead of the flat-rate €333 annual commercial tax.
What makes a vehicle a ‘commercial’ is its original homologation (whether it’s classified as an N1 commercial vehicle, or an M1 passenger vehicle), but it’s entirely legitimate to tax an N1 commercial as a private car. However, even if you do so, it will still need to be tested, annually, under the Light Commercial Vehicle test, not the passenger car NCT. There’s no VAT issue in that you’ll pay the normal VAT rate when buying a commercial vehicle, but you won’t be able to claim back the VAT unless you’re using the vehicle for commercial purposes.
New Honda Civic or VW Golf?
Hi,
I'm currently looking at 1.5 petrol Honda Civic or 1.5 Volkswagen Golf. Which would be the better choice? Doing mostly motorway miles, 15,000 per year. Also which one would have more room in the back for two kids?
Thanks.
Gavin Moran (Dublin )Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Gavin,
In terms of roominess, there’s no contest — the Civic is the winner here, by a long chalk. Bigger in the boot, too. Actually, we really like the current edition of the Civic. In terms of exterior and interior design, the Golf is ahead, but the Civic is actually the sweeter of the two to drive, and being a Honda it will almost certainly never break. Go for the Civic.
Which engine is cheaper to tax?
Which to go for: 1.2 petrol or 1.6 diesel car same year 151 or 152 reg plate? How can the government know emissions of above engines? Which engine is cheaper to tax?
Thanks
Mark Leahy
Crossbarry, Cork
Mark Leahy (Cork)May 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
The government knows the emissions of each vehicle simply because each vehicle is put through a series of official laboratory tests as part of the process of homologation — the legal process whereby a car is pronounced as passed for sale to the public - and that data is made available by the car manufacturers. As for which is cheaper to tax, it’s down to the CO2 emissions and we’d have to know which make and models you’re looking at before we could give you a precise answer, but in most cases, for a given car, the diesel would have lower CO2 emissions and hence motor tax.
Ford Galaxy or Hyundai Santa Fe?
Ford Galaxy or Hyundai Santa Fe? I have not been able to do test drives yet, but would appreciate your view as well. I need something to drive in the city as well as for family trips (kids are 4, 10, 12 and 14). I know kids would be happiest with a V-Class, but I need something for daily commute as well. Am trying to find the right type of car. SUVs are not large enough, MPVs seem a bit big and not as fun to drive (or perhaps not), while vans are only suitable for longer trips, I think.
Thank you.
Emir Cehajic (Sarajevo)May 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Emir,
You’re quite right — with kids of those ages, most seven-seat SUVs simply aren’t roomy enough, unless you go for something genuinely massive and expensive, such as a Land Rover Discovery. So, I’d say the Ford Galaxy is indeed your best choice — lots of space, seven proper seats for seven proper people and it's good to drive too. Other options well worth looking at are the VW Sharan and SEAT Alhambra, and — if you can afford the running costs — the old Mercedes R-Class.
My Fiat 500C's stop-start is playing up...
Hi,
I have a 2012 Fiat 500c manual. Over the past year, the stop-start has intermittently stopped working, warning light comes on saying stop-start not available and a yellow triangle. The last few months is has been happening more often, now warning light on constantly. I had the battery checked and it was 80 per cent. Charged battery and today warning light was on constantly for six miles, drove again and stop-start worked or at least no warning light for about a mile, then on again, tried quickly turning key in ignition 6 to 10 times and warning light stayed off for another 1/2 mile or so then back on, had a hose replaced in February from radiator and it started to say unavailable about middle of March. It's not affecting driving any other way just really annoying, don't know if a new battery will fix it. Fiat dealers are closed at the moment due to COVID-19 or I would have taken it for a diagnostic test.
Hope I've made sense.
Wendy Armson (Brierley Hill)Apr 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Wendy,
We get a lot of queries from people with cars that have stop-start issues. We've published this article to help: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
Saying all that, we also know that the Fiat 500's engine can develop a couple of issues that may be relevant to you, including a problem with the alternator belt tension (and hence battery recharging when on the move) and another with the engine control unit.
Sadly, unless you're comfortable with checking the alternator belt for yourself, these items will have to be checked by a mechanic.
Cracked grille an issue for the NCT?
Can a crack on the front grille of a car cause it to fail an NCT?
Conor Byrne (Sligo )Jan 2020 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Conor,
There is no specific mention of such a thing in the NCT testers' manual, but it does reference the bodywork and if anything is deemed to be dangerous to others, or even just potentially dangerous, it could get classed as a minor defect. I suspect a simple crack won't cause you a problem, but testers wouldn't be happy passing a car with bits hanging off it either, so you need to make a call on that.
Is an old camper treated like a classic?
Hi,
I wanted to find out what limits are on camper insurance and tax if the vehicle is older than 30 years? What class of tax and insurance does it fall into and does it require NCT/VRT testing? Are there mileage restrictions on vintage insurance?
Any advice appreciated.
David Geraghty (Cork)Jan 2020 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi David,
A camper van that’s more than 30 years old qualifies for vintage tax, which is just €56 a year. You will have to NCT it, but only once every two years. Once it’s older than 40 years, it’ll be NCT exempt. As for insurance, that will very much depend upon your insurer, but usually a classic car policy will have a mileage limit included. Some are as little as 5,000km per year.
Can I apply for a motorcycle A2 permit?
I just passed my motorbike theory test. It says AM motorcycles/mopeds. Does this mean I can't apply for an A2 learner permi?
Terence O Sullivan (Cork)Jan 2020 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Terry,
The type of licence that you can apply for once you pass your theory test depends on your age. If you’re under 18 then you must first apply for your A1 licence and complete your Initial Basic Training (IBT) before applying for your driving test.
If you’re 18 or older, you can apply for your A2 licence through Direct Access. As you’ve passed your theory test you can apply and start your IBT (modules 1,3 and 5) on an A2 bike. After six months, when you pass your driving test you’ll have a full A2 licence.
For the full A licence, you can apply post-theory test again through Direct Access providing you are aged 24 or over or through Progressive Access from age 20 and up. The same process applies with regard to IBT and your test.
You can find more detailed explanation on the RSA’s website here.