CompleteCar
Ask Us Anything

To help readers get the most out of this free service, we ask those that wish to submit a question to first register their details using the registration form.

Thank you



Previously answered questions

How to bring a car back from Scotland?

Hello!

I purchased a car in North Ireland and I brought it over to Scotland for college for six months. I have since moved back to the ROI. I have queued in the tax office and was told to send forms to the VRT centre (the only one is in County Cork).

Can you advise the best way to go about this?

Thank you in advance!

Niamh ODonoghue (Virginia)

Jul 2024 Filed under: importing

Read our answer...


When is the updated Polestar 2 arriving?

Hello.

Just wondering if there is any update on arrival of Polestar 2 RWD MY24 to get to Ireland? Seems very slow compared to UK availability.

Thanks

Neill Scanlan (Athenry)

Jul 2024 Filed under: choosing new car

Read our answer...


Thinking of buying a new Toyota Corolla estate...

Hi,

Thinking of purchasing new Toyota Corolla Touring Sports estate. Would this provide better fuel range and costs than my current car, a Skoda Octavia Combi diesel?

Many thanks.

John Dalton (Clonmel)

Jun 2024 Filed under: choosing new car

Read our answer...


Do I need to register my car in Northern Ireland?

Have recently moved to NI from GB. Couldn't MOT my car (long wait and couldn't do the online queue thing as it was not recognised as a NI car, having not been MOT'd there before). So - took it back to GB, MOT'd it and now want to bring it back to NI. Should I get an import form or something, so it is recognised as an NI car now? Confusingly, we are sailing into Dublin and then driving it North for complicated reasons... will that matter? Had the car a year. Can you help - I am so confused!

Alix Wood (Enniskillen)

May 2024 Filed under: importing

Read our answer...


My Kia Sorento's engine failed...

Hi,

I have a 2019 Kia Sorento bought in October 2021. My engine has died, but Kia is refusing to cover replacement under warranty as car was not serviced. My car has been driving well and my argument is there was never a “service due” on the dash. Is this not a fault on the car manufacturer?

Please advise thank you

Maura Thompson (Dysart)

May 2024 Filed under: warranty

Read our answer...


I want to sell my English camper...

I am based in Northern Ireland and want to sell my Vauxhall Vivaro campervan. It was professionally converted in England and still has English plates. I bought it in October 2023 from England and brought it over myself by ferry. What would a buyer from the South have to do if they purchased it? Would it make a difference if it was registered as a campervan on the UK logbook? It is currently registered as a light goods van. Would it make a difference if I got a motor vehicle engineer (SQI) to do a Declaration of Conversion?

RACHEL PEDDER (Belfast)

Jun 2024 Filed under: importing

Read our answer...


Looking to buy a van for private use...

I'm looking at buying a Ford Transit Connect LWB 1.5L (2018-2020 ish). I'm going to be using it privately, travelling Ireland with boards and camping stuff in the back. I'm unsure of how to go about taxing and insuring it privately. I'm getting quotes at the moment but it's looking more complicated than I had anticipated.

Few questions here:

1. Do I need to do anything to switch the van from commercial to private use? I've heard about possible VRT, but I can't seem to find any info online about that apart from imported vehicles.

2. Is taxing and insuring as straightforward as doing so with a regular car? I'm aware that AXA who I’m currently with for a car won't privately insure me in a van so I'm checking with insuremyvan.ie

3. CVRT - I know it's more expensive than NCT and is yearly, but is this as simple to get done?

4. Are there any other problems that I might run into if I do buy a van to use privately? I'm pretty clueless on how any of this works.

Rebekah Steele (Bray)

Jun 2024 Filed under: commercial vehicle

Read our answer...


EGR and DPF in a 2010 Skoda Superb?

Does the 2010 to 2012 Skoda Superb diesel 2.0-litre have a DPF and EGR fitted? I am considering buying a model from this year.

Joseph Murray (Drogheda)

May 2024 Filed under: diesel

Read our answer...


Should engines from a dismantlers be under warranty?

We bought a second hand car and the sump broke and damaged the engine. The mechanic said he could source a second hand engine from a dismantlers and fit it. He said the car is ready now and that there is no warranty on the engine. I would have imagined the dismantlers give a warranty when you buy a second hand engine from them?

Priscilla Rowley (Castlebar)

May 2024 Filed under: warranty

Read our answer...


Will this Northern Ireland import be VAT and duty-free?

Hi.

I'm looking at importing a car from Northern Ireland - first reg June 2020 in Northern Ireland. Am I correct in reading the very complicated rules as needing to pay VRT, plates and motor tax, but not having to pay customs and VAT?

Is the V5C sufficient, or will I need the dealer to provide import/shipping info too?

Many thanks

David

David Forde (Kilkenny)

Apr 2024 Filed under: importing

Read our answer...


4,959 Irish motoring queries answered to date

On CompleteCar.ie there is no such thing as a silly question. No matter how small or complicated an issue seems, we'll do our best to help. Our experts will quickly answer your queries in a friendly and jargon-free manner.

Please remember that we offer advice, not gospel. We cannot be held responsible for recalls, a second hand car's history, 'acts of God', changes in car pricing or Government policy. We are here to help and offer independent, impartial and free advice. What you do with it is entirely up to you.

By submitting a question you are agreeing to this statement. Thank you.

CompleteCar.ie aims to be compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), implemented on 25 May, 2018. At no stage shall we contact you without your express permission (by entering your email address, you are consenting for us to send you emails relating directly to your question).

Your data will never be shared with a third party and it is kept in a secure database on our servers, with limited personnel access.

You have the right to have your data deleted at any time and also to get a copy of your data on file. For any related queries, please send us a message using the form on the Who we are page.