Answering all your motoring queries is Michael McAleer
From G Reidy, Co Limerick: A colleague has bought a VW Golf 1985 turbo diesel 1600 cc. The car is registered in England but when he went to clear it and get it registered here the Customs wanted €720 and put a value of €2,000 on the car. How is this possible when the car is only worth about €500? The reason given was that there are no emissions data for the car. There must be some way around this, as any other car of the same age would only cost €200 maximum to clear.
I'm afraid the only hope is to identify the CO2 emissions for that car and we've had no luck so far. I'm not sure where you got the €200 charge from, as there is a minimum VRT charge of €315 regardless of the value or emissions category of an imported car. It's up to the person importing the vehicle to access information on the car's emissions.
As the relevant act states, they will charge at either 36 per cent or €720, "whichever is the greater". You can appeal the prices, but you'll need to identify its emissions rating. To do that it is imperative you contact Volkswagen and see if they can assist you in identifying official documentation as to the car's emissions. There are other options as well. For example the ratings may have been recorded at an MOT test in England. Alternatively you could check with the British Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) or Vehicle Certification Agency. Readers should be advised to check these facts out before making any purchase decisions. Given the value on offer on most Irish forecourts, buying older used cars abroad can end up being a costly exercise.
From TA: I'm interested in a 2003 Mercedes S320CDI that I saw on the market for a pretty amazing price. I've always wanted to own one but the costs were always too much.
For this car I've got most of the cash to pay for it, but have to get rid of my own car and while I have not asked, it's unlikely the dealer will be interested (it's a 2004 Audi A4). Have there been problems with the S-Class from that time? Would it be a good buy?
Don't be so quick to rule out a trade-in. Dealers are generally loathe to take in too much stock at present but there are some who are willing to do a deal if the car is right. A 2004 Audi A4 in good condition - and if you accept a realistic price in the current market - might not mean you have to sell privately.
Car finance is proving a bigger problem. It has become more difficult to secure these days so you probably need to sell before you buy.
You need to be aware, however, of the cost of running a car like this. There is going to be a noticeable hike in your fuel and insurance costs with the S320, so you need to budget for these and consider not only the purchase price.
In terms of the car, it's a well-built German luxury model. As such it's the cream of the crop in its class. The five-speed automatic box is strong and the engine in the S320 CDI was revised in 2002, so it's actually got more kick than earlier versions of that model range. The only problem we've heard about is an issue with engine mounts. Be sure to check all the electrics function. If you can make the finances work, it could be a good long-term buy.
From Mary B: I was recently clamped in a private apartment car park whie visiting friends. While I paid the fee of €300, I'm fuming over the charge. Do they have the right to do that? It's not as if the fine goes to the Government. My friend reckons the clamper pockets the lot.
Clamping on private property is not covered by the Road Traffic legislation that deals with public clamping, so it's more a case of tort law on trespass.
The area is rather grey, but it seems that landowners may operate a clamping system if they operate within a number of clear boundaries.
For a start, there must be adequate signs and warning notifications about the risk of clamping, the potential cost and full contact details of those enforcing it.
The charge must not be exorbitant - or the person could argue they did not believe it realistic - and the landowner would need to be able to prove a good excuse or lawful justification for applying the clamp. For example, if the car was blocking entry or exit of a lane or the like.