How much VRT do you think I'll pay on this BMW?
I am thinking of importing a new BMW 320d M Sport with about £2,000 of optional extras. I can't find the exact car on the ROS website; can you tell me please how much you reckon the VRT would be on this type of car?
Many thanks lads: great website!
Ian Brodigan (Dundalk)May 2014 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Ian,
It's a rough calculation but I reckon you're looking in the region of €7,000 of VRT. Of course, if it's a new car you may have to pay the VAT as well, but the best thing to do is contact your local Revenue office and talk it through. They're pretty helpful, generally.
Let us know how you get on
How much does it cost to replace a Volvo V70 timing belt?
How much does it cost to replace a Volvo V70 timing belt?
Joe Murray (Dublin)May 2014 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
We asked Volvo Ireland this, but it can't give a figure without your registration or chassis number. Send that onto us in private using this contact form and we'll find out - we won't publish the details on the site of course.
Should I swap my Kia Sorento for a BMW 5 Series?
Hi,
I have a 2007 Kia Sorento 2.5 GSE diesel in Dublin and I am thinking of buying a BMW 5 Series, the 535d.
i) How much will I get for my Kia?
ii) Is it worth changing? I read a great review of the BMW 5 Series.
iii) If I am trading in how much should I pay for the BMW?
iv) Is it safe to buy the BMW from a dealer (SIMI/non SIMI) or should I only go for BMW showrooms?
Many many thanks in advance for your response
Best regards
Tanya
Tanya Goon (Dublin)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Tanya,
OK, prices for a 2007 Kia Sorento range from as little as €6,000 for a commercial model to as much as €15,000, which seems a bit hopeful to me. Let's play reasonably safe and suggest that you should get about €9,000 to €10,000 on trade-in.
Now, the 5 Series. The E60 5 Series that ran from 2002 to 2010 is one of our all time favourite cars and the 535d is one of the very best. Powerful, smooth, reasonably economical and able to spin the rear wheels in third gear. Ahem.
It's worth considering other models though. The 535d is a twin-turbo version of the same 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine that you'll find, in single turbo form, in the 530d. You won't save any money in terms of tax (it's the same capacity), but the 530d will be better on fuel and cheaper to insure. If you really want to save some money, look for the ever-popular 520d, which is almost ridiculously cheap to run and far more powerful than you might expect.
As for things to look for, the suspension is the 5's weak point so if there are any nasty clonking noises or if the car feels unstable on the road, or the steering feels inaccurate, walk away. The iDrive infotainment system has also been known to give bother so check and make sure that it is working and, as with any prestige car, make sure it has a full service history.
With a car like this, I'd never advise buying privately or from an unfranchised dealer. SIMI membership should be at least the bottom line and you'll get a better deal from a BMW main dealer than you might expect, especially if the car is part of their approved used programme.
A 2005 530d or 535d seems to hover around a similar asking price to your Kia so you'll just have to negotiate carefully to get the best price.
Let us know how you get on.
Which is the best car for €6,000?
Which is the best car for €6,000?
Jason Doyle (Dublin)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Jason,
Depends what you mean by 'best' really. I'm going to assume, though, that what you mean is the best all-round; something that's fun to drive and good to look at, but also spacious, reliable and practical with an eye on fuel economy, right?
In that case, and at that budget, you're looking at three main cars: Honda Civic, Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. All three are reliable and well made (the Civic the best in that sense), all three are good to drive (the Focus is the best to drive) and all three are economical (few cars are as good, real-world, on fuel as a diesel-engined Golf). Shop around, because there are loads of each one out there and your €6,000 will go a long way. Insist on a full service history and make sure you do a background check on the car if you're buying privately (we recommend Cartell.ie). Beware of silly boy-racer mods (especially on the Golf, but the other two are prone to such things too) and try to find something that hasn't been used and abused by a legion of crisp-munching kids.
Let us know how you get on
Is the Opel Astra a safe bet in terms of residuals?
Do Opel Astras (three-door, sport version) hold their value and is there demand for used models? I am thinking of buying a 2008 model and I am just wondering would it be easy or difficult to sell on privately in about two years time. And would it loose a lot of its value?
Thanks.
Niamh Martin (Dublin)Mar 2014 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Niamh,
You shouldn't have a major problem as long as you look after the car and keep the service history up to scratch. Opels are perennially popular second hand buys, so while the badge means you won't get the value retention of, say a BMW or an Audi, there should always be a reasonably willing audience out there for one.
Can I import a commercial SUV and save money?
What is story regarding Toyota and Land Rover new five-seater commercial SUVs? Is it possible to buy a second hand SUV in England and bring it over and make it a commercial and keep five seats? That would be a big cost saving.
Noel Kelly (Galway)Mar 2014 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Noel,
You can indeed get a lower rate of VAT and VRT when importing a commercial vehicle from the UK. For VRT you'll pay 13.3 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) - the price that Revenue reckons the car is worth in Ireland, not what you paid for it. Buying second hand in the UK and having the car converted is also a fine idea, but best to have the conversion done in the UK so that the car is already in commercial form when it lands here.
By the way, all this only applies if you're bringing in a commercial vehicle to use for work purposes. If you're using such a vehicle for social, domestic or pleasure use and paying VRT, VAT and motor tax at the commercial rate, you're technically breaking the law.
Should I replace my Golf with a Hyundai ix20?
I have a Volkswagen Golf bought in 2002. Can you advise me re a new car, similar 1.4 petrol engine, but with elevated seating position? I looked at the Hyundai ix20 but it may not have same power as my Golf. Thanks,
Evelyn O' Meara
Evelyn O Meara (Galway)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Evelyn,
Actually, the Hyundai ix20 might be just the thing you're looking for. It's smaller and cheaper to run than a Golf, and that 1.4 diesel engine is very economical, and will actually prove more powerful to drive than the Golf. Others worth considering are the Citroen C3 Picasso or Ford B-Max, both of which can be had with either petrol or diesel power. Try a 1.0-litre turbo petrol B-Max actually - great fun to drive and you won't believe the power and performance Ford can get from its new downsized 1.0-litre engine.
Let us know how you get on
Should I trade in my Peugeot 206 now or wait?
I have a 2003 Peugeot 206 that needs the guts of a €1,000 worth of work to keep it going and have €12k-14k put aside for an upgrade. The only thing stopping me trading in the Peugeot against a newer car is the fact my wife is learning to drive. Would I be better off putting the money into the 206, wait 6-9 months while my wife learns to drive as I'm worried she could damage the newer car?
Gary Eastwood (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: learner
Expert answer
Hi Gary,
Are you perhaps being a tad unfair to your wife here? If it were a teenager you were talking about I'd say yes, keep the old car but as it's your missus, and you've got a decent bit of budget, why not get something spanky new to give her the motivation to become a truly great driver?
For that cash, you could get a really nice year old Ford Fiesta or Peugeot 208, both of which are terrific to drive and very economical. Go for the 1.2 82hp 208 or the 1.0 EcoBoost Fiesta. Or you could save yourself a bundle and buy brand new by downsizing. A Volkswagen up! or the new Hyundai i10 would make a perfect learner car and still be stylish and practical family transport when she's got her pink licence.
Are UK-reg cars safe to buy in Ireland?
Are UK-reg cars safe to buy in Ireland?
Elaine Kennedy (Meath)Feb 2014 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Elaine,
Yes, in that it’s perfectly fine to buy a car imported from the UK as long as you’re happy that the vehicle’s condition and history are all in order, but we’d be wary of buying a car that is still on its UK plates. There are strict time limits of 30 days from the point of a car’s arrival in the State to the point where its VRT must be paid and its new numberplates fitted, so be very wary of any private seller or any dealer who hasn’t done that before they sell the car to you. A reputable seller would usually have completed the process before selling the car on.
Also, well worth checking an import's history through Cartell.ie
Why does my Audi stop-start not always work?
Why is the stop-start on my Audi not working properly?
Tom Riordan (Loughrea)Expert answer
Hi Tom,
If the stop-start system is not working ever then it's probably worth a trip to your Audi dealer to have it looked at, but bear in mind that there are plenty of conditions in which it will not operate and it may not be immediately obvious why. Here's Audi's official stance on it:
"The system is automatically activated when the ignition is switched on. If the driver doesn't want to use it, it can simply be switched off at the touch of a button.
"This is how it works: brake the car down to a standstill, shift into neutral and release the clutch. The system now switches off the engine and signals this via an indicator lamp. Depress the clutch before continuing the journey - the engine now starts automatically and the indicator lamp goes out again.
The start-stop function only works when...
- the driver's door and the bonnet are closed
- the driver is wearing a seat belt
- the vehicle has been driven at faster than 4km/h before stopping
- the vehicle is not pulling a trailer
In some cases the engine will not be switched off, for instance when...
- the engine temperature is still too low
- the difference between the interior temperature and the temperature selected via the air conditioning system is still too great
- the outside temperature is very high or very low
- the windscreen is being de-iced
- the optional parking aid or the optional park assist is activated
- the battery charge is too low
- the steering wheel is at a sharp angle or is being turned
- reverse gear is engaged
- the road is steep
The engine is started automatically by the system when...
- the vehicle rolls forward
- the windscreen is being de-iced
- there is a large difference between the interior temperature and the temperature selected via the air conditioning system
- the brake pedal has been depressed several times in succession
- the battery charge is too low