2005 A4 2.0Tdi 140BHP New model

[michael.kelly25@yahoo.com]

Hi John,
A recent change to vehicle registration rules in the Republic of Ireland will come into force this summer. Under this new system, the registration tax will be based upon the emissions from the vehicle, rather than the engine size. Therefore all new cars registered in the Republic after June (and all used cars imported into the jurisdiction) will employ the new system of taxation.
Since the government has announced this change, it has been highlighted that buying an "emission efficient" car in the UK, and bringing it to Eire could result in significant savings into the thousands of euro. In terms of yourself John, I cannot believe you could sell your car for less than I paid for mine. Perhaps that is the going rate in the UK, but in Eire it is worth considerably more. Check out Find A Car, Buy A Used Car, Used Car Ireland - Carzone for asking prices for all models of cars in the Republic. Subtract a couple of thousand euro from the asking price to get a more realistic idea.
John, there are already many Irish people buying cars in the UK and bringing them back to Ireland. You should investigate the possibility of courting such buyers, perhaps by listing it on a website. I'm not an expert here so cannot give you great advice, but don't sell your car for less than €27,000!!
Good luck,
Michael

[john from Staffs]

Thank you for this Michael.

I'm away to the VW agent today to look at the new Tiguan, so we'll find out what's in their wallet and see whether I will have to sell the A4 privately to get a good deal. On the other hand I could just keep it, but we have a tin shed on wheels and intend to do a bit of touring now I am semi-retired, so I thought the Tiguan worth a look. All the best with your new A4, and make sure those brakes are safe!

jfS

[john from Staffs]

I've just had a look at that site, and considering that I paid less than 30k Euros for the car brand new, I think that we get a better deal here in UK on new cars so it probably all flows downwards. My car is even the same colour as one Avant on that site, but has the 2.0 TDI and much better wheels, not to mention 6-CD and the built in blinds, load restraints and dog guard. Maybe there's a business opening shifting good used cars across the sea to Ireland!

jfS

Just got back from the VW dealers, who valued my Audi at 19,500 Euros and went up to 20,500 after the first push, against a 31,000 Euro sale on the Tiguan. I didn't bother to talk any further, might swap wife's runabout on a secondhand RAV 4 instead. I think you Irish chaps should come to England for your slightly used Audis!

[Avantman]

Hi John,

Not sure what your avant would make here, but a word of warning:

Estate cars aren't nearly as popular here in ireland as in the UK.
The Irish prefer the saloons, lots of A4 saloons on the roads over here.

Personally I love the avant and chose it especially, but you don't see many over here.
You might get a better price in the UK.


Regards,

John

[Avantman]

Just read the replies, my avant actually came from the UK.

I know of two companies specialising in UK imports, I bought mine from one of them.

One company is East Coast Imports in Co. Wicklow and the other is Autoplatz in Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

Uk cars have a great rep over here. Obviously there are pitfalls to watch out for though (Clocking, finance owing, crashed etc) but these can be checked.


J

[john from Staffs]

I thought that I had found the answer, and went to the Audi website to look for a quattro of similar spec to my B7. There were 2 or 3 2007 cars but I was unable to get a reasonable offer from the dealer in this area as they appear to have slightly used A4s to burn, and obviously weren't too interested to take my car in p/x. Since I face imminent expenditure on the Bentley, I have decided to remain 2-wheel drive and hope that it doesn't rain so much this year.

Best regards
jfS