Can I buy a commercial for private use?
I want to buy a 3.0-litre Toyota Hilux or Mitsubishi L200 vehicle, for the purpose of transporting horse and ponies by horsebox. I have a herd number as I am the owner of several equines and have my premises registered. Can I buy the above models, as commercial vehicles, but get private motor tax and insurance on them, as I do not have a business or trade and am using the vehicle for recreational use? I can't seem to get any answers or details from tax office.
Thanks.
Jane, Co. Galway
Jacinta MCarthy (Galway)Aug 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Jacinta,
Yes, you can. Anyone can buy a commercial vehicle and take advantage of the lower rates of VRT — that’s fine. The only tricky part comes, as you rightly point out, when it comes to taxing them. Then you have to tax the vehicle as a private car, and that means (for some bizarre reason) reverting to the old by-engine-capacity tax, which obviously is going to be a bit pricey for a 3.0 Hilux. Maybe consider a 2.0-litre turbo VW Amarok, as that will bring down your annual motor tax bill considerably.
Read this for more: Buying a commercial vehicle for private use
Any reduction in motor tax with age?
I have a Mercedes C 200, which is now just over 20 years old and I only do 1,500 miles per year. Is there any reduction in motor tax due to age?
John Twomey (Cork City)Jul 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi John,
I'm afraid that cars need to be over 30 years old to avail of classic tax. See our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature for more details.
What's up with my Citroen's start-stop?
My Citroen C4 doesn’t start-stop when sitting still at the lights. The dash lamp goes green on the dash, but that’s it; what can I do?
Cathy Fay (Monaghan )Jul 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Cathy,
Many cars develop similar problems, usually because of battery condition or load. Our feature on the subject, Why won't my car's stop-start system work? may help you further.
Audi A3 Saloon or Mercedes CLA?
Hi,
I am looking for a little advice on changing my car. I have a 2010 Audi A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI and am trying to make my mind up between the Audi A3 Saloon and the Mercedes CLA. Petrol I'm thinking? And most likely new or one year old. Any advice would be really appreciated.
Thanks
Claire
Claire Murphy (Monaghan )Jul 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Claire,
Both are really good cars, and I think it would be the Audi that we’d — just — come down on the side of. It’s not as cool to look at as the CLA, obviously, but the ride quality is better and that makes a big difference on Irish roads. It’s also a fraction more practical than the Mercedes and, if you can find one with the excellent 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine, then you’re onto a winner. Basically, it’s the Audi if you want practicality, or the Mercedes if you’re more interested in style.
Which SUV for up to €23,000?
Looking for a mid-size SUV worth up to €23,000, at max two years old. Something stylish inside and out, quick and reliable. What should I go for?
Aaron Joyce (Limerick)Jul 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Aaron,
How about a Ford Kuga? That budget would get you into a nearly-new 191 or 182 1.5 TDCi, and it’s a bit of an underrated car — good to drive, roomy and nicely built. A sum of €23,000 obviously buys you a lot of either the ubiquitous Hyundai Tucson or Nissan Qashqai. How about a Mazda CX-5 instead? Gorgeous to look at, great to drive and with a 150hp engine, it’s not slow either. You could also think of a Peugeot 3008, a SEAT Ateca, a previous-generation Toyota RAV4 (better to drive than you might think), or a Volkswagen T-Roc.
Should I buy a new Tesla Model 3?
Hi,
I’ve been doing a lot of research into buying a car lately, specifically would love a Tesla Model 3 - Standard range plus. I’ve been looking at price from GB compared to Ireland and it’s around €5k cheaper (around £38k v €48k). I also understand I would be in receipt of €5,000 SEAI grant, but I cannot seem to calculate the VRT.
1. Can I buy in the UK and ultimately would I save money doing so vs Ireland?
2. I live in Dublin and I get the DART to work everyday (roughy €100 per month). I also currently drive home roughy three nights per week to Monaghan (roughly costs me €325 in petrol and tolls). I have a free parking space in work. (Quicker to drive than DART to work) Would I be naive in thinking that I would almost eradicate all of that €425 with an EV? Aside from electricity costs, also what would you estimate those to be?
The alternative for me was to buy an 15/16 Audi A5 or BMW 4 Series in around the €20k mark, but still be subject to aforementioned €425 monthly costs on top.
Am I trying to convince myself that a Model 3 is my best option or is it my best option? NB: I want something that I actually want, i.e. I don’t want a Nissan Leaf; if I’m going EV it would be Tesla or equivalent.
Brendan Traynor (Dublin)Jul 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
We do love a bit of car-related man-maths around the CompleteCar.ie office. Yes, in theory, you could save that €425 per week travelling cost with a Tesla Model 3, once we make a couple of assumptions, and bearing in mind that a Model 3 is not free — a basic Standard Range Plus model is quoted at €625 per month in repayments on Tesla’s Irish website. With a claimed one-charge range of 409km, your theoretical Model 3 should be able to get from Dublin to Monaghan and back in one charge, with a little left over for safety (assuming it’s around 135km door-to-door). If you can charge at home and charge in Monaghan, then each full charge will cost you around €8-10, depending on your electricity tariff and how low the battery gets before you plug it in. That should put a significant dent in your travelling costs. It would also be helpful if you could charge up at work, but that’s more for ensuring you have a full charge in case you need it — the shorter intra-Dublin commute wouldn’t put much strain on your battery.
So, that’s all good. Buying in the UK, though? Not worth it. We ran the maths on this a while back and working off the base model prices — £38,500 in the UK and €48,900 here, a quick conversion at today’s rates shows that the equivalent Euro price of a new Tesla Model 3 would be €45,069. A saving? No — although the VRT would cost you nothing at the point of import (thanks to the €5,000 rebate), you would have to pay VAT on entry, as it’s a new car, and so the price would go up by €10,350. You’re better off buying local in this instance.
How much to privately tax an Amarok?
How much is the private road tax on a 2.0-litre version of the Amarok? I’ve seen €660, €750 and €1,200 online? Is it based on the CO2 or engine size?
Joe
Sligo
Joe Devaney (Sligo)Jul 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
It’s actually €710, the rate for cars with engines sized between 1,901cc and 2,000cc (the Amarok 2.0 is actually 1,968cc). As we’ve said before, for some bizarre reason, if you’re taxing a commercial vehicle as a private car, you go back onto the old by-engine-capacity system.
Read this for more: Buying a commercial vehicle for private use
Amarok, Ranger or Navara pick-up?
Hi there, hoping you can guide me in the right direction as I am torn between the VW Amarok, Ranger and the Nissan NP 300. I wont be using it for construction just merely for leisurely use so efficiency will have a part to play in my decision.
Looking for your advice.
Regards,
Ronan
Ronan Scroope (Cork)Jun 2019 Filed under: pick-up
Expert answer
Hi Ronan,
Well, to be honest, if efficiency is your thing, then don’t buy a pick-up truck — they’re all pretty big and thirsty and around 30mpg is the best you’re going to get from any of them. Of the three you’ve mentioned, the VW Amarok is the best — the most space in the cab, the best comfort, the best on-road handling and ride. The Ranger comes in a decent second, the Nissan a little further behind in third.
Relevant reviews:
Which exec EV to replace my Jaguar with?
I plan on replacing a Jaguar XF diesel next year and would like to move to a “greener” alternative. Are you aware of any PHEVs or pure electric cars that are expected this year in the executive category apart from BMW 530e and Mercedes E 350 de? I would like to go all electric but prices seem very high at the moment. I drive about 40,000km per annum so hybrid diesel or pure electric with good range look to me like the best options. The only executive EVs all seem to be around the €90k mark, which is too high for me.
Joe Peterson (Wicklow)Jun 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
With that annual mileage, I honestly don't think you, nor the charging network, are ready for a pure EV, at any price. The longest range version of the Tesla Model 3 gets closest to your needs, but is a good deal smaller than your Jaguar.
For now, I'd suggest that, if you're adamant that you don't want a pure diesel, then a hybrid is indeed your best option. Another to consider alongside the two you've mentioned is the Lexus ES. Nonetheless, with your mileage, I'd expect the diesel-electric hybrid Mercedes to be the best all-rounder - and the E-Class is a lovely car anyway.
Can I tax a Nissan van privately?
Can I tax and insure a Nissan NV 300 1.6 van for my own personal, social, domestic and pleasure use, and how much would road tax cost?
Thanks
James
James Clark (Ballina)Jun 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi James,
You can, and it’ll be taxed according to the old engine capacity system, to it’ll be €514 per year.
Read our feature on this subject: Buying a commercial vehicle for private use