HELPDESK:Answering all your motoring queries is MICHAEL McALEER
From Dermot Mac Donald: When buying a sofa, fridge or any heavy or bulky product, the delivery charge is included in the price. Why is it not included in the purchase price of a car?
It’s a fair point and reminiscent of the sort of advertising practise that is criticised in the likes of the airline industry. However, at least one car firm is trying to buck the trend: BMW, and its Mini brand, list recommended on-the-road prices for cars.
“We list both prices as we think this is the most consumer-friendly, transparent way of doing it,” a spokeswoman says.
“Delivery and related charges” usually refers to the cost of the pre-delivery inspection carried out by the dealerships, the supply and fitting of number plates, floor mats, and sometimes a tank of fuel before collection.
Yet given that you cannot leave the dealership without the pre-delivery inspection, it seems disingenuous not to include it in the list price.
Alan Nolan of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) points out that adding the charges into the initial list price could mean they would be liable for vehicle registration tax (VRT). At present they fall outside this tax.
However, BMW lists an on-the-road price alongside its recommended retail price and doesn’t incur any such charge.
Delivery and related charges can vary greatly but often cost €500 or more. It is a sizeable addition for buyers on a tight budget.
BMW and Mini have set the standard in this regard: others should follow and be more transparent.
From GM: I have been offered a job in Kuwait. It is a three-year contract so instead of leasing a car when we get to Kuwait, I was plan to buy a second-hand car, with a budget of about €8,000 to €10,000. The value to be had is much better than in Ireland. My question is, do you think it would be worthwhile bringing it back to Ireland when my contract has finished?
I know I would not have to pay VRT as I would have owned it for more than six months, and we would be moving back to Ireland permanently. The one thing I am concerned about is that it would be a left-hand drive model.
I spoke about this to a colleague who is aware of the Middle East market and he says the used car market is relatively good value, but you need to be wary as there is a tendency, even among the wealthy owners of high-end cars, to treat them as disposable items and ignore service intervals.
The market is also awash with some really rubbish US models. A lot of cars are also listed as “best offer” so be prepared to haggle hard.
If you do manage to avoid the pitfalls, I’m not sure that when you return here in 2014 with a four or five-year-old left-hand-drive gurgling V6 or V8 petrol, Irish dealers are going to be beating down your door.
Whatever about the savings you make on the deal and on VRT, I fear you will have trouble finding a buyer who is looking for a left-hand drive V8 that costs €2,100 in motor tax to put on the road, before insurance and filling the tank.
Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, Tara St, Dublin 2 or email motorshelp@irishtimes.com