VRT on a Skoda Octavia RS from the North?
Hi.
I was looking to know how much it would cost to VRT a 2016 Skoda Octavia vRS - the car is in Northern Ireland. I am from Northern Ireland but have moved to the Republic of Ireland in recent years. Is there anyway this helps to get it cheaper?
Stephen Morris (Omagh)Apr 2026 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
First up, I'm afraid your previous residence in the North can't help you if you've moved south years ago. There is a "Transfer of Residence" scheme in place that allows you bring your car with you when you move, but it can't be done years after the move.
We need the OMSP (Open Market Selling Price) and the VRT band to do the calculation - and this is just an estimate. The OMSP is the value Revenue believes the car to be worth in Ireland after registration, so that's not a fixed thing. Let's round it up to €20,000 for the sake of our calculations.
You didn't state whether it's petrol or diesel. In both cases the CO2 rating from 2016 will have to be 'uplifted' to align with the newer WLTP scheme. We believe the petrol model would be in Band 18 (156-170g/km after uplifting) at 30 per cent of OMSP and the diesel would be in Band 16 at 25 per cent.
The former then would be €6,000 VRT and the latter €5,000 - if the OMSP is €20,000.
Do not forget that you will also have to pay the NOx levy on top of all this, which will be way more expensive on the diesel model.
Is the 12-volt system separate from the drive battery in an EV?
Is the normal 12-volt battery system separate from the drive battery on my 2025 Peugeot E-Rifter? I want to add a charging socket to the 12-volt battery as it often gives a message of low battery power if sitting in the car and using your phone for a while.
Thanks
PETER CLARK (Waltham Abbey)Apr 2026 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
Yes, the two electrical systems are separate, though the 12-volt battery is kept charged up by the drive battery when the car is 'turned on'.
When the car is turned off, but you are using features that draw energy from the 12-volt battery, it will of course lose charge and the car monitors that and protects the battery by turning off completely.
You could in theory add a suitable charger to allow use of the car as you are doing, or you could just have the car turned on every now and then when stationary to allow it top up the 12-volt battery automatically itself.
I'd be inclined to do the latter.
How much to tax my Australian Mitsubishi ASX?
How much tax will I pay for a Mitsubishi ASX 2.0-litre petrol automatic which I brought back with me from Australia where I lived for 13 years? The car is 2017 and I owned it since 2019. Has passed the NCT.
Ciara (Cork)Apr 2026 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Ciara,
We need the CO2 rating to determine the motor tax.
According to our data, that car's original CO2 rating would have been 176g/km, but that was on the old "NEDC" system and when a car is imported into Ireland now its CO2 figure is 'uplifted' by Revenue to align it with the newer WLTP scheme. Doing that would raise your ASX's rating to 197g/km, which would mean motor tax of €790 each year.
The importation paperwork should have shown which CO2 rating the car now has according to Revenue so you can check it. If it's not the above figure, look up the motor tax on our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature or come back to us if you have other questions.
Can I bring this Kia EV in from the North?
Hello,
I have a VRT and VAT question for you. I'm looking at a Kia EV, a two-year-old car. Straight forward as it's been in use all its life in NI and it seems would be an easy import with all the savings.
However, the vehicle was registered to the motor dealer and was used as a demo car. It's technically a VAT-qualifying vehicle and there are companies that will act as third parties, buy the car and sell it to you without the VAT for a small fee.
My question is, if I do that, can I then bring it into Ireland? The form you fill out for the VRT does ask about VAT and if VAT was paid.
Adam (KERRY )Apr 2026 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Adam,
Based on the information you've provided, I think you'll cause complications by trying to get rid of the VAT portion through an intermediary in the North, and that may raise suspicions with Revenue on importation.
There's no way to avoid VAT on a car - you either pay it in the North or when you import it here.
As the car was used in the North for those two years, there should be no additional VAT (or import duty) payable on importing it south, even though it was used by a dealer. Just pay the dealer in full, get an invoice from them showing the transaction and then you should only be dealing with VRT (which is presumably zero in the case of a used EV such as this in any case).
If in any doubt, send a query to Revenue.
VRT on a 40-year-old VW T3 camper?
Hi,
I bought a VW T3 camper van which is over 40 years old. How much roughly will the VRT be?
Lucas (Gorey)Apr 2026 Filed under: classic cars
Expert answer
Hi Lucas,
It's very simple: as this vehicle is over 30 years old it qualifies for a flat rate of VRT - it'll be just €200.
Make sure you understand the potential for VAT and import duty payments on importation though, depending on where you're bringing it in from.
Do I need my UK logbook to get an Irish NCT?
Hi,
I'm relocating from UK to Ireland and have brought my car with me. I thought I had the v5c logbook in the car but upon arrival it is missing. I know I have to book the NCT within seven days but how can I do this whilst I don't have the v5c? Is it possible to give them it later when a replacement can come through or will they pass it through without it?
Shae (Galway)Apr 2026 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Shae,
You won't be able to complete the registration process in Ireland without that document so order the replacement immediately.
However, while you do have to book an inspection for the car within seven days, you have up to 30 days to complete the whole process, so book it in advance to give you time to get a replacement V5c.
You should have plenty of time.
Why do you classify hybrids as electric cars?
Why do you classify hybrids as electric cars? I'm not talking plug-ins, in which a case can be made. I mean non-plug-ins, which take all their power from fossil fuels - no part of their power comes from clean sources.
So the latest stats say 54-per-cent increase in sales for electric cars, but a high proportion of that is for hybrids that take all power from fossil fuels.
I have no doubt the government wants to label them as electric as it helps them in their delusional expectations that we will get to 100 -per-cent electric by 2030. But surely it is the job of journalists to state, and push for, the truth rather than push a narrative?
I'm not saying you should call them petrol/diesel but they are definitely not electric cars.
I'm not anti-electric, I'm much more for the right technology for each individual. Electric doesn't suit my use until megawatt charging (or hydrogen refuelling) is the norm, but I have suggested to others to go electric as suits their use. But I find the pro-electric push annoying and frustrating, particularly from journalists.
A 600km range is great, but a 30 to 40min recharge time (in ideal circumstances) is ridiculously slow. I can add 1,000km range to my diesel in four minutes. And no, like alot of people in cities I can't charge cheaply overnight as I don't have a garden.
Diana (Cork)Apr 2026 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Diana and thanks for this message.
I'm a little perplexed by it though as we quite strongly believe that hybrids are not electric cars and should not be classified as such. The latest SIMI figures on this page state a 52 per cent increase in the number of EV registrations, and that is indeed fully electric cars. That figure does not include hybrids of any sort.
How would I get insurance on a car bought in the North?
Hi,
I was wondering about how I'd insure and be covered to drive a car back from the North to Ireland?
Nadine (Limerick)Apr 2026 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Nadine,
Generally you can arrange temporary cover with your existing insurer for the purposes of this. Failing that, look into getting a short temporary policy specifically to cover the journey.
How much is a heat pump pn the Fiat Grande Panda?
How much to add a heat pump to the Fiat Grande Panda?
Avril (Ireland)Apr 2026 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Avril,
I'm afraid it's not available as an option as yet. It's expected to come on stream when the larger-battery model is introduced later this year in time for 2027 sales.
Thoughts on 2023 Mercedes A-Class saloon?
Is a 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class saloon with a sunroof worth buying?
Laima (Co Dublin)Mar 2026 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Laima,
I'm afraid that's not a lot of information to go on. We like the look of the A-Class saloon, but some of its engines can be a little weedy and the dual-clutch automatic gearbox can be jerky, so make sure you take whichever car you're looking at for as long a test drive as possible before deciding for yourself.
Our review of the 2023 Mercedes A-Class hatch might be of help.