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Ford Ranger private tax costs?

New Ford Ranger Wildtrak private tax cost and Raptor private tax cost please.

Shane (Navan)

Feb 2025 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

When you're taxing a commercial vehicle for private use then the rate goes by the engine size. 

The Wildtrak can be had with 2.0 or 3.0-litre diesel engines, while the Ranger can be had with a 2.0-litre diesel or 3.0-litre petrol option. The 2.0-litre engines cost €710 a year to tax and the 3.0-litre units (doesn't matter what fuels them) are €1,494 per annum.

Read our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature for full details.


Have you driven the new Mazda CX-80?

Have you driven the new Mazda CX-80 yet, or will you be doing so soon?

Tony Cahill (Dublin)

Feb 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Tony,

We have indeed. Take a look at our Mazda CX-80 reviews page for the written and video reviews.

We've also since driven the car on Irish roads, so come back to us if you have specific questions not answered in the review.


Motor tax on a 1.6 diesel car in Ireland?

How much is motor tax for a year in a 1.6 diesel?

Aileen Dunford (Galway )

Feb 2025 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Aileen,

Motor tax for cars only goes by the engine size if it was registered before 2008. If the 1.6 you’re talking about is older than that then the annual motor tax should be €514 (assuming the engine size is 1,501-1,600cc).

If the car is newer, then its tax goes by its CO2 emissions. We’d need to know full details of the car before we could look that up for you, as the engine size and type alone aren’t sufficient.

Read our Motor Tax Prices in Ireland Explained page for more information.


Volvo EX40 or BYD Sealion 7?

I'm looking at the Volvo EX40 twin motor top spec at the moment. How would the Sealion 7 compare in terms of build and ride quality, refinement etc?

June Coates (Arklow)

Jan 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi June,

The first thing to note would be the size difference between these two cars. The BYD is larger overall and that’s felt inside too.

In terms of build quality, the Volvo feels more solid inside and out, though its cabin layout is more dated than the BYD's and has a smaller display. It’s also worth looking at the equipment levels of both cars, as the BYD comes with a lot of standard spec.

With regard to ride quality the Volvo is the more polished of the two, with a nicely sorted suspension setup and better one-pedal driving feel. The BYD has more performance, and has higher peak DC-charging speeds.

Read our review of the Sealion 7 here

Read our review of the Volvo EX40 here


A question on my Skoda Octavia's fuel economy...

Enjoyed the Skoda Octavia 1.5 Tec auto review. Just curious do you measure real world litres/100km versus official during your time with the car? I can’t see any reference in the piece. Just curious as I purchased one and while long motorway trips deliver 5.0 litres/100km, urban stop-start and suburban traffic means closer to 9.0 litres/100km or 30mpg in old money. Any information appreciated.

Kind regards

Gerry Earley (Co Dublin)

Jan 2025 Filed under: fuel economy and emissions

Expert answer

Hi Gerry,

We do try to observe and mention real-world fuel consumption in our reviews, when possible, though the launch routes aren’t always very representative of the real world and sometimes are too short to get a proper feel for such things.

There’s no doubt that a car’s economy varies massively depending on where and how it is being driven, though I am a little surprised your Octavia hits nine litres per 100km at times. That sounds a little high. Maybe mention it to the garage next time you get the car serviced so they can look for any issues.

(The Skoda Octavia review can be found here)


When does the BYD Sealion 7 go on sale in Ireland?

When will the BYD Sealion 7 be in Ireland?

Great review, thanks.

Brian Egan (Kilkenny )

Jan 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

Thanks for the kind comments (anyone else interested, read the full review of the BYD Sealion 7 here). The Sealion 7 will arrive in Ireland in early March this year. 


Will the VW Tayron come in 4x4 spec to Ireland?

Will the VW Tayron be sold in 193hp 4x4 spec here in Ireland?

John O’Leary (Carlow)

Jan 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi John,

When the Tayron was first unveiled, Volkswagen Ireland did indicate that yes, it would bring in the 193hp 4x4 model and we've not had an update since then. I can see that this model is not listed on the Tayron Product Guide currently available on Volkswagen Ireland's website, but that is not unusual at the launch of a new model as it may not be initially available.


Worth importing a Passat estate from the UK?

Hi,

I'm looking to change from my 2011 VW Passat Saloon 1.4 petrol. This has been a great car for me and I’m looking to change to a 2022/2023 VW Passat Estate - 1.5 petrol. These are thin on the ground here and as they aren't sold here anymore this will become even more so. There are plenty around in the UK but I’m wondering if there are still the same savings to be made when importing from the UK as there once was?

Brendan Cullen (Dublin)

Jan 2025 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Brendan,

The savings are not what they were, and effectively non-existent if you're talking about England, Scotland or Wales. The only realistic option is to look to Northern Ireland as most cars won't be subject to VAT and import duty, just VRT and the NOx levy. Read more below:

Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland

Guide to importing cars from the UK


I want to import a MINI Clubman from the North.

I would like to buy a MINI Clubman (2019-2020) in Northern Ireland. What would the costs be when importing it to the Republic?

Bernadette (Dublin)

Jan 2025 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Bernadette,

Assuming the car has already been imported into Northern Ireland and registered there, and used by a private individual, then you should only be liable for VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax). This is calculated using the VRT band and something called the OMSP.

The latter - Open Market Selling Price - is the value Revenue in Ireland believes the car to be worth following registration here, and that doesn’t always correlate with the price you actually pay for the car in the North. It varies by year, condition and even the equipment fitted, and it is determined only after you import the car and present it for inspection at an NCT centre. You can estimate what it might be by looking at other similar cars for sale in classifieds, and we’d be happy to help you with that if you give us full details of the car in question.

The VRT band is determined by the car’s official CO2 emissions rating and again, we can’t tell you that without knowing the full details of the car, especially regarding its engine.

Take a read of our guides on the subject and if you need more assistance, don’t hesitate to post another question. The more specific you are on the car, the more help we will be.

Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland

How much VRT is paid in Ireland?

MINI Clubman reviews


Love your VW ID.7 Tourer review...

Not a question, just a compliment: love the ID.7 Tourer review. It’s engaging, clearly knowledgeable and beautifully written. Thank you from a driver of a new  (well 242) Octavia estate Selection box. Sweet (excuse the pun!).

Gerry Earley (Co Dublin)

Jan 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Thanks for the kind words Gerry - I've passed on your comments to the author, Neil.

For anyone else interested, the full review can be accessed here.


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