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
I'm about to buy my first car...
I have €1,300 saved for a first car. Preferably looking for a Polo or Golf with a smaller engine but anything will do. What kind of insurance would I be looking at for a young driver on something like that?
Bevan Gillmor (Mullingar)
Jan 2021 Filed under: insurance
How much for a brake actuator?
How much could the actuator cost, as I have been having electronic brake failure incessantly?
AMPONSAH TAWIAH (ACCRA)
Jan 2021 Filed under: brakes
An unusual import situation for you...
I bought a car up north last January, had to pay the VAT on it. Gearbox then went, eventually got the car back this December, after a lot of arguments. Have to pay VRT now. How do I go about it because the car was here in January? Any help?
Keith Higgins
Jan 2021 Filed under: importing
I have a car in the UK for my sister...
I am living in the UK and bought a car in London on behalf of my sister in Dublin with a view to transfer before Brexit hits. For a variety of reasons I had to register the car initially in my name. On completing the sale the dealer mentions "oh by the way due to COVID, DVLA will take six weeks to get the new V5 logbook to you"!
So, can she arrange to have it shipped to Dublin before I get the V5 (so it arrives in Ireland before 1st Jan 2021 to avoid any potential customs tariff if no-deal Brexit)? What happens if I can't get the V5 to her before her 30 days to sort the VRT expires (as now seems likely)? I do have a copy of the previous one with CO2 and NOX figures. Will she struggle to insure it without the V5 in her name? I have a bad feeling this will not end well!
Any advice appreciated.
Peter Dupont (LONDON)
Dec 2020 Filed under: importing
How to change tax status of a Land Rover?
Hi,
I'm considering buying a secondhand Land Rover within Ireland that has been classed as commercial for tax purposes by the current owner. However, I'd like to use and tax it for private use, which I think can be done by paying the higher rate of tax after purchase. However, I'm a bit stumped as to how to do it! The Revenue forms to change the class of taxation say I should have insurance in order to request a change in the tax class. However I am unable to get insurance for a commercial vehicle in my name. It seems without the insurance I can't change the tax class but I am unable to get insurance based on the current tax class the car is registered in.
Seems a bit of a catch-22, can you help?
Thanks!
Sheila Hopkins (Lifford)
Dec 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Can I claim back VRT importing to NI?
I live in the Northern Ireland. If I buy a new car from a dealer in the Republic, can I claim back the VRT and pay UK import duties? Would this be financially wise?
Jackie Rodgers (DERRY)
Dec 2020 Filed under: VRT
Do I need an insurance green card now?
I will be travelling from Wales via Holyhead by car. I am old enough to remember "green cards" for motorists on continental roads; will I require one when driving in the Irish Republic?
Eddy Rowlands, Anglesey
Eddy Rowlands (Beaumaris)
Dec 2020 Filed under: insurance
Make sense to import a van to convert?
Hi there,
I'm thinking of importing a panel van (Peugeot Boxer) from the UK to convert to a camper in Ireland. Is this a wise thing to do considering VRT etc?
Jason Christiansen
Dec 2020 Filed under: importing
NCT test for privately taxed van?
If I tax a van privately, which test applies, NCT or commercial vehicle test?
Martin from Carlow
Martin Smith (Carlow)
Dec 2020 Filed under: NCT
What's up with my Honda hybrid?
Hi there,
I own a 2012 imported Honda Fit Hybrid. On extended journeys, or if the air conditioning is on for an extended period, the IMA light comes on. It always turns off after the car is turned off and on again and doesn't impact on the car's performance. I bought a cheap Bluetooth scanner but it cannot detect any engine codes. I had a new battery put in but the light still comes on on occasion. Any ideas?
John M (Dublin)
Dec 2020 Filed under: fault
Top Categories
4,967 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.