Should I register my imported pickup now?
Hi,
I’m looking to buy a Toyota Hilux Active Double Cab pickup, a 3.0-litre automatic from Northern Ireland for £15,000. Would it benefit me to register it in Ireland before Jan 2021? Also, I’m using it for my business. How much will motor tax cost annually? I do not know what the NOx emissions are or where to obtain them.
Regards Donal Slattery
Eamon Slattery (Co Galway)Oct 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Eamon,
If you're buying and registering this as a commercial vehicle, with no private use, then it doesn't matter if you do it now or after 1 January 2021, as commercial vehicle tax and VRT have not changed. See below for more information:
Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained
Disabled driver that wants to trade up in Feb...
I am on the Disabled Drivers Scheme and want to trade up next Feb '21. I currently drive a Mercedes A-Class hatchback that has been valued at €22,500. I would like to change to something a bit more robust as most of my driving is on country roads. I carry backseat passengers very occasionally and would like a decent sized boot. Automatic gearbox and reversing camera are neccessary. Also something stylish. I have €4,500 to spend with my current car and the DDS allowance. Don't mind petrol or diesel.
Thank you,
Grainne D, Cork
Grainne Dennehy (Rosscarbery)Oct 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Grainne,
As previously noted, you’ll need to have a current and valid primary medical cert as new certs are not being issued right now thanks to a Supreme Court decision that has thrown the rebate scheme for disabled drivers into limbo. However, if you already have the cert, you should still be able to avail of the VRT and VAT rebates, so that should be fine (although it’s worth checking ahead of time — it’s a bit of a moving target at the moment).
I think that a Skoda Kamiq might be the right sort of car for you. Not much bigger on the outside than the Merc, but more roomy within, and with the necessary automatic gearbox and reversing camera on the options list. Get it with the sweet little 1.0-litre petrol engine and you’re onto a winner. It’ll be well within your budget, too.
Is the Ford Kuga PHEV being recalled?
Have you any information on the recall of the Ford Kuga PHEV?
Colm Murphy (Wexford)Oct 2020 Filed under: recall
Expert answer
Hi Colm,
Ford tells us that all Kuga PHEV buyers are being contacted and are being advised not to charge their vehicles and to only drive them in 'EV Auto' mode until work is completed by their Ford dealer.
Should I wait for the BMW 128ti?
Hi,
I have a question regarding the new BMW 128ti. Having recently ordered a BMW M Sport 118i auto, I am now in a quandary due to the announcement of the 128ti. I have spent a long time driving many cars and ended up making my decision to purchase the BMW 118i. Preferably the car would have had a little more performance (and economy for the level of performance), I waited around a year in the hope that a petrol 120i would become available (diesels are not an option for me), but nothing has yet been announced even though they exist in other markets.
Before placing my order I tried the M135i and, other than the raw power difference I far preferred the driver engagement of the 118i M Sport. I can only put this down to the 200kg or so weight difference? I live in a rural area and most of my driving is on small twisty, hilly lanes with some nice back roads, I rarely drive on main roads or motorways. So suspension compliance and driver engagement are important to me. My BMW dealer has immediately suggested I could change my order to the 128ti once it becomes possible, but it's early days with no hard facts on cost or a test drive available - I have already sold my car so it's a push bike and motorcycle only at the moment.
I would be very appreciative if you could spare some time to consider my position and would value your thoughts on the 128ti versus my ordered car. Having read your account of your experience with the 128ti, i thought you would be the best person to help.
Very best wishes
Tim
Tim Williams (Dartmouth)Oct 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Tim,
The 120i is due to come at the end this year, with 184hp and with the M Sport suspension should be a bit of fun to drive. However, I don’t think it will be as engaging as the 128ti. Not only will the 128ti still have a power advantage, I suspect there will be a noticeable difference in ride quality to what the 120i might offer. The 128ti has compliance in the suspension and involving steering that makes to a real joy to drive. More details for the car are due in the coming days, so take a closer look then and see if it helps make up your mind.
VRT and tax on imported Toyota Hilux?
Hi,
I am relocating to Ireland (Co Cork) and I have purchased a Toyota Hilux pick up truck, but I am confused as to the rates of VRT. I will be starting a dog kennels business and using the truck for the business. Do I qualify for the €333 tax or is it something different? Car is a 67 plate bought in the UK, VAT paid, 2.2-litre automatic with 21,000 miles on the clock.
I really appreciate your help as it is very confusing on the Revenue website.
Many thanks
Mark
Mark Hartin (Basingstoke)Sep 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
As far as VRT is concerned, pickup trucks generally fall into Category B for tax, which means you’ll pay 13.3 per cent of the Irish Open Market Selling Price, as defined by Revenue. A 2017 Hilux will generally run at about €23,000 on the Irish market, so you’ll be paying in and around €3,000 in VRT.
That €333 rate is the annual rate of motor tax for a commercial vehicle, though be aware that you cannot use the vehicle for any private reasons if you tax it as a commercial.
How to work out VRT of non-listed car?
What if the specific car is not shown on the VRT calculator? For example 2019 Peugeot 508 1.6 petrol automatic GT-Line. There is no 1.6 petrol shown. I don't want to import the car without knowing the price to pay.
Thanks
Ian Delaney (Naas)Sep 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Ian,
If the specific model isn’t shown, then you can make a rough back-of-a-napkin calculation based on the CO2 emissions and the prices that such a car would sell for In Ireland. The 508 1.6 turbo GT-Line’s emissions of 125g/km put it into Band B1 for VRT, which means 18 per cent of the Irish market price. That price is a little difficult to calculate as most 508s sold here in 2019 were diesel, but values seem to run between €25,000 to €30,000 — so, splitting the difference, 18 per cent of €27,500 is €4,950. The NOx levy on top of that will only be €135.
Obviously all of this is an approximation only.
Tax cost for 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
What is the annual motor tax for a 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0 Automatic?
Many thanks.
Michael
Michael Ruddy (Cootehill )Sep 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
The engine size is 1,995cc, so it sits in the 1,901cc to 2,000cc band, currently costing €710 per annum.
Motor tax on this imported Ford?
What would be the motor tax on a Titanium X 120hp five-door auto? The car is registered in the North and VRT is €7,998.
Teresa Sheehy (Limerick)Sep 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Teresa,
Well, it’s a Ford of some kind, so I’m going assume, from that VRT amount, that it’s a Mondeo? That has CO2 emissions of 107g/km so will cost you €190 per year to tax.
How much to tax a 2012 Volvo XC70?
How much to tax a 2012 Volvo XC70. 2.4 D5 automatic?
John Finnan (Tipperary)Aug 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi John,
That model has CO2 emissions of 179g/km, so will have annual motor tax of €750.
Electric range of the BMW 330e?
Hi,
Do you know what the zero emission mileage would be for a BMW 3 Series 330e M Sport four-door saloon petrol/electric automatic?
Many thanks if you can find this information
Mark Porter (Nottingham)Jul 2020 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
The first generation 330e has an electric-only range, on a fully-charged battery, of 40km (about 30km in real-world use) and the new, and current, version is claimed to be able to get 65km out of a full charge. Here are links to our reviews of both, which may give you more information: