Michael McAleer answers your queries
From Fintan Scanlon:
I've recently been thinking about buying a Toyota Cynos, but am having trouble separating fact from fiction about Japanese imports.
Plenty of people say you shouldn't,they are hard to get parts for, more expensive to get work done on. All of which I would believe to an extent. But are these opinions still up to date?
I have heard from other sources that certain companies now specialise in importing parts etc. Could you set my mind at rest?
Buying a used import from overseas takes a lot of trust. You're obviously going to have problems chasing up the previous owners if something goes wrong.
However, the upside is that this degree of uncertainty is often reflected in the price.
These days the import business is a lot more professional and spare parts are less of an issue, with several outlets specialising solely on serving this market. However, while you may pay less for the imported car, in general you'll pay more for the parts.
As for the Cynos, we've only heard positive things about it.
From Patrick Costello:
I have a friend living in the Channel Islands who is selling a 2001 BMW 318 CI. I know I will have to pay between €5,500 and €7,000 in VRT but do I also have to pay VAT as Channel Islands are not part of the EU?
If there is a requirement to pay VAT where can i find the relevant information to calculate the VAT payable to determine if importing this car is a viable option?
According to the Revenue Commissioners, VAT is payable on acquisitions from the Channel Isles.
The actual charge is calculated based on a Customs valuation, which includes the cost of any transport, handling and insurance costs between the place of introduction into the EU and the State.
For more advice visit: http://www.revenue.ie/services/foi/s16_2001/valuat.htm
From Roger Coleman:
I'm glad to read that some new initiatives are being introduced to kerb the use of illegal / personalised number plates. The heavy fines have been around for a long time, yet have there ever been any prosecutions ? I can't get over how many undistinguishable plates there are with little or no Garda enforcement.
It would appear that these illegal plates are simply replaced following NCT tests. What chance has anybody of identifying a hit and run culprit with some of the plates you see around? They will also have little chance of recovering their car if stolen.
From Peter Kelly:
Can I please use your helpdesk to request drivers of left-hand drive cars to adjust their lights if they are going to be driving in Ireland for any length of time.
There are several foreign cars in the area where I live and at night, instead of pointing towards the ditch like cars sold here, the lights point towards the oncoming traffic. This means that even when the headlights are dipped they still manage to blind you.
From David Herman:
Has anyone noticed the many illegal 'Glencullen' signs in south Dublin on and close to the N11? They are mostly neatly executed on existing signs but in some cases special signposts, white on brown, have been erected. Since Glencullen is an insignificant location and highly inappropriate on a national route I rang the NRA, who confirmed it wasn't their doing but promised to 'look into it'. Over a month later they are still looking.
One unusual feature of the signs is that the Irish version does not appear and this must cause problems for Irish-language monoglots. However, since they are both over 90 and have never moved from Carna (or wherever) I suppose this version isn't absolutely necessary.
Send your queries to
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie