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Previously answered questions

Porsche Macan 4 or Audi Q6 e-tron?

I am considering purchasing either an Audi Q6 e-tron or Porsche Macan 4. Which would you advise?

Sean Cotter (Newtownmountkennedy)

Jul 2024 Filed under: choosing new car

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Should I buy a hybrid BMW 5 Series?

Hi folks,

I'm thinking of changing my car to a BMW 5 Series. The prices of the hybrids are considerably less than the diesel models, and since I do low mileage anyway, the hybrid would probably fit the bill better. I'm looking at 2020 models, but the problem is they have around 100,000 kilometres on them, and my mechanic said under absolutely no circumstances should I purchase one, as the batteries are a ticking time bomb...

My question is, do you think they're that bad, considering there are so many of them visible on the roads? I intend to keep the car for five years, and around 200,000 kilometers. Can these batteries last 200K? I have read horror stories of batteries costing 10s of thousands to fix, should they fail and that's simply out of the question.

I'm currently driving a diesel Passat, which my mechanic tells me is a far better car than the BMW. Any help would be hugely appreciated.

Thank you

Daniel Dunne (Castlecomer)

Jul 2024 Filed under: choosing used car

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Is a car exempt from VAT after 60 days in the North?

Hi, can you please let me know is VAT liable on a car registered in Northern Ireland for at least 60 days before importing to the Republic of Ireland?

Deirdre Grouden (Castledaly)

Jul 2024 Filed under: importing

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Import costs on a 2013 camper from the North?

Hi,

I am looking at a camper in Antrim, a 2013 Globecar. The price being asked is £18k. Being 2013 would I be liable for VRT and/or any other charges?

Thanks

David Buckley (Limerick)

Jul 2024 Filed under: importing

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I want to sell my 2018 Nissan X-Trail...

I have a 2018 X-Trail that I'm changing for a camper van. What's it worth in Ireland and how do I go about selling it?

Mike Walker (Weymouth)

Jul 2024 Filed under: used car values

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Is this Hyundai VAT-free to import from Northern Ireland?

Hi.

Looking to import from NI a 2021 Hyundai Ioniq EV. Car has one local previous owner. Car dealer said no VAT liability upon import. When I checked your Q&A, it says car arrived before Jan 1, 2021 will not be liable. I didn't ask when the car arrived from I suppose England. But it's obvious the car is registered on 2021, bought new by the first NI owner and now sold to a dealer. Tell me is is this VAT free or not? Thanks.

C. Ford (Drogheda)

Jul 2024 Filed under: importing

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Is it worth importing a Velar from the North?

Can you please advise on the various types of costs that are required to import a car from Northern Ireland to the Republic?

I am currently looking at two different cars with different backgrounds:

Car 1: 2021 Range Rover Velar, first registered in UK April 2021 now on sale in Northern Ireland with UK registration plates. Dealer has said he can get it registered in NI and sell with NI registration plates.

Car 2: 2021 Range Rover Velar, car built in UK and first registered in NI Feb. 2021 i.e. is currently on NI registration plates.

I have read as much documentation as I can find on the 'potential costs' but have come away more confused than informed. It was verbally mentioned to me whilst researching this, that if a car has been registered in NI for a period of more than 60 or 90 days (I cannot remember which) then the car is exempt from VAT and only subject to NOx and VRT.

Can you please let me know if this is correct?

I would appreciate any help you can afford me on this as calling the National VRT helpline has not been helpful and I was advised to take the car to my nearest NCT centre, however by doing this, I would have bought a vehicle and would be completely unaware of its taxes.

Before buying a vehicle, I need to know the cost of taxes to establish if its expenditure is worthwhile.

Deirdre Grouden (Castledaly)

Jul 2024 Filed under: importing

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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

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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

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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

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4,965 Irish motoring queries answered to date

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