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Previously answered questions

Will I pay VAT importing my own car from UK?

Hi,

I am moving back to Ireland after living in the UK for 10 years. I am bringing my car (11 years old, two previous owners). I have already got VRT exemption but I'm worried I will have to pay VAT at 23% on it. I have the purchase invoice and I was not charged VAT by the UK dealer at the time.

Am I going to be charged VAT now by the Irish Revenue?

Cheers, Tony

Tony Herrigan (London)

Jul 2022 Filed under: importing

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Are hybrid Skodas available in Ireland?

Hi,

I’m interested in the Skoda Superb iV Sportline Plus PHEV (estate and hatch) or possibly even the Octavia iV PHEV, but they don’t seem to be on Skoda.ie although they do appear on Skoda.co.uk… I would have thought they would be available with the demand for electric and more and more companies insisting their fleets are electrified to some degree because of emissions?

Martin Smith (Dublin)

Jul 2022 Filed under: choosing new car

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Do I need to pay VAT importing this bike?

I am having trouble working out if the motorbike I would like to bring into Ireland from Northern Ireland requires VAT. I understand about the VRT, which should be €700+€100, but does it require VAT? The bike was first registered in NI but is an engine rebuild with only 50km on the clock. It is insured and taxed up north as a 2007 vehicle.

Fiona C (Dublin)

Jul 2022 Filed under: importing

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How to change my Peugeot speedo to kmh?

On my Peugeot 2008 (2020 model), how do I change the display from mph to kmh?

Bob Easby (Stockton-on-Tees)

Jun 2022 Filed under: infotainment

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Do I need beam deflectors on my Peugeot?

I have a Peugeot 2008 (2020 model) with LED lights. Do I need beam deflectors when driving abroad?

Bob Easby (Stockton-on-Tees)

Jun 2022 Filed under: lighting

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VRT on importing an Infiniti Q70?

Hi there,

What is the VRT on an Infiniti Q70 3.5-litre hybrid? The tax office tell me to bring it in and they will then tell me how much it will be. But if the VRT is too high I will have to bring it out of the country and most likely lose money on it. So can you help?

Thanks

Eamonn

Eamonn Munnelly (Mullingar)

Jun 2022 Filed under: importing

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Should I go electric or hybrid with a new BMW SUV?

I own a 2017 Audi Q7 S line. I like the car a lot and the specs are high but I feel like I need to move up a few years within the next 10/12 months. I drive approx. 25,000km per year, 75 per cent of that is made up of short journeys of about 10 miles per journey and the remainder is longer motorway driving. I do not want to buy diesel again and think a BMW X5 xDrive45e may suit my needs, or maybe a BMW iX. I am considering a new car purchase.

In your opinion, which option would suit my needs better?

Thank you

David Scully (Cork)

May 2022 Filed under: choosing new car

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Issues with stop-start!

What's happening with stop-start? On my current and previous brand-new cars - Ford Focus and now a VW Golf - the start-stop system stopped working after about three weeks. On the Focus it worked for about another two weeks with a battery charge.

Eventually we paid for a new battery at the garage's suggestion. It wasn't covered by warranty according to Ford head office whom we had it out with. That also worked only for a few weeks. I drove it without for nearly all of the two years I had it.

Same is happening now with the Golf after three weeks. It should work. It's part of the car specs and it's good with my DSG gearbox. Have I the right to insist this be fixed or am I nitpicking? The car is four weeks old.

I'm also getting conflicting information on whether to put the car in neutral or drive on short stops at lights etc. when start-stop isn't working.

This is doing my head in and I'd really appreciate your help.

Thanks.

Teresa O'Donnell (Ennis)

Apr 2022 Filed under: fault

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Can a Mercedes GLC 300 de tow?

Hi,

Can you please advise if a tow bar can be fitted to a 2020 Mercedes GLC 300 de plug-in hybrid? I am getting conflicting information from various tow bar supplier/installers.

Thanks

Mark Toman (Cahir)

Apr 2022 Filed under: towing

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Thoughts on Japanese imports?

Hi all,

I’m currently in the market for a used car and it’s my understanding that the Irish market is being flooded by cars imported from Japan as it’s cheaper to import from there than the UK. By that I mean ‘Grey’ imports so Japanese versions of BMW, Audi etc.

Would you recommend buying one or steer well clear? Even though they have low mileage I’m concerned over spare parts and unexpected anomalies due to the cars being specced for the Japanese market. What are your thoughts please?

Martin Smith (Dublin)

Mar 2022 Filed under: importing

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4,963 Irish motoring queries answered to date

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