Which emissions rating for tax on this Merc?
If I buy in December a 2016 Mercedes E-Class with 94g/km CO2 emissions and 55mg/km NOx does it mean Revenue will uplift my CO2 to 120g/km but NOx stays as it is? And does it mean that my tax per year will be based on 94- or 120g/km?
Regards
Adam
Adam Kornaszewski (Carrick-On-Shannon )Nov 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Adam,
If you register that car before the end of 2020 then there is no uplift and your annual tax will be based on the 94g/km rating.
If you cannot register it until after 1 January 2021, then the CO2 rating will be uplifted, and that new CO2 rating will be used to determine the VRT paid on registration and the annual tax bill from then on.
There is no uplifting of the NOx levy, incidentally, but the amount charged will change a little come 2021.
It may be worth your while reading our three relevant guides, which have been updated since the Budget 2021 announcements:
Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained
What will the 2021 Tesla Model cost in 2021?
Hi,
What will the Tesla Model 3 cost from 1 January 2021 based on the Budget 2021 changes and no VRT rebate?
Bill Shan (Dublin)Oct 2020 Filed under: pricing
Expert answer
Hi Bill,
Short answer? We don’t know. In theory, because the VRT rebate is being chopped in half for cars priced between €40,000 and €50,000, it will become more expensive, but then again it will also be in a seven per cent VRT band, instead of the current 14 per cent band. And even if that didn’t make our heads hurt and our calculators explode, Tesla Ireland brings its cars in from the UK and who knows what effect Brexit may have on the price?
We’ve spoken to Tesla about this and, while it was a firm ’no comment’ when it comes to confirmed pricing for January, the spokesperson did say that for the Model 3, assuming everything stays as it is now, the price change will be so minimal you will hardly notice it.
Any more Ford Mondeos coming?
I've been a Mondeo driver forever. All good, no problems.
Do you know if the Mondeo will stay on sale in the Irish market? Dealers are coy about disclosing the full facts.
If I cannot have a lovely new Mondeo, what do you recommend? I like diesel and the Mondeo size suits me. Give me a few suggestions, please. My mortgage is now paid so I could go up a grade as a special treat...
Fergal Reidy (Celbridge, Co. Kildare)Oct 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Fergal,
Sadly, for all us Mondeo fans, it will die in its current form soon (most likely in the next 18 months or so). Now, it will be replaced, but most likely not by another saloon, but a crossover of some description instead, sitting above the Kuga in the current Ford range, and likely with a seven-seat option.
Happily, there are still a few proper, full-sized four-door saloons around for you to choose from, and they’re good ‘uns. Our list starts with the Skoda Superb (massive inside, smooth to drive, handsome to look at and really good quality) and the VW Passat (all of the above but not quite so big inside). The Mazda6 is a big favourite of ours, too, not least because it’s so engaging to drive, and has such high quality and reliability levels, but Mazda is dropping the diesel engine option, so you might want to snap one up soon, before they’re all gone.
If you fancied going down the hybrid route, then Toyota’s excellent Camry is well worth a look, and there’s the Opel Insignia (probably one of the most underrated cars on the market) to consider too. If you fancy something a little moore stylish, check out the very slinky Peugeot 508.
You could go up a grade, as you suggest, to the likes of a BMW 3 Series or Audi A4, but the problem is you need to spend a LOT extra to get one with decent spec, so our recommendation would be to stick with one of the mainstream brands.
Here are our relevant reviews to help you decide:
How much VRT to import a van from NI?
Hi,
We are hoping to import a van from NI and I understand that we have to pay VRT, but how is it calculated? Also is it more expensive to import a van that has more than three seats? The official websites are very confusing.
Brenda Coney (Celbridge, Co. Kildare)Oct 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Brenda,
It depends on the van, and the configuration of those seats. According to Revenue "Car derived and jeep derived vans” will be charged 13.3 per cent of their OMSP (Open Market Selling Price, basically what Revenue thinks the car would be worth were it on sale in Ireland), but "Other vehicles such as tractors, large vans, lorries, vintage cars (over 30 years old), minibuses (minimum 12 passenger seats)” will be charged a flat rate of €200. The easiest way to find out is to get the VIN number and description of the vehicle you’re looking at and give your local motor tax office a ring and ask.
They’re usually very helpful people.
Is VRT less on a CAT S damaged car?
If I buy a 'CAT S' damaged, but repaired car from the UK is the VRT cheaper on it because it is below market value?
Mick Fox (Laois)Oct 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Mick,
Theoretically so, yes, as the VRT is calculated according to the OMSP (Open Market Selling Price) and that would be lower for a CAT S car. However, it may be that Revenue will estimate the car's value as normal and you then can appeal this with documentation. Not ideal, I know.
Should NOx levy be refunded on export?
Hi
On 20/08/2020 I imported a car from Northern Ireland. I paid €1,494 VRT and €1,500 of NOx levy. For employment reasons on the 21/10/2020 I had a vehicle Export Examination and was granted a VRT refund of €1,464 less Revenue's admin of €100, so a repayable refund of €1364. No NOx repayment. On enquiring with Revenue I have been told that it was not refundable. Should the NOx levy be refunded too? Any help would be appreciated.
Stephen Mc Cready (Letterkenny)Oct 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
Yes, you’re right — the NOx charge should have been included as part of the overall repayment of VRT, as effectively NOx is an addition to VRT, not technically a separate tax.
What tax rate applies to an imported car?
The tax on cars registered after Jan 2021 is €420 per annum for 161-170g/km. So is this the rate that applies if I import a 2016 from the UK in 2021?
Paul McCarthy (Dundalk)Oct 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
Yes, that's correct, but you need to watch out for the fact that Revenue will be 'uplifting' the CO2 figures of imports. So, if a 2016 car you're looking at now has CO2 emissions of, say, 165g/km, and it's a diesel, Revenue will uplift that to 201g/km, and that's the number that will determine your VRT and motor tax going forward.
Full details of the uplift formulas etc. can be found in our Guide to Importing Cars from the UK.
Will older cars benefit from 2021 tax changes?
My understanding was that cars registered in the past couple of years had their emissions tested under the new WLTP system. Let's say a car registered in 2019 would be taxed at a higher rate than the exact same make that was registered in 2016. Will the cars registered in 2019 or 2020 benefit from the motor tax changes in the recent budget?
Thanks,
Noel
Noel O'Callaghan (Cork)Oct 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Noel,
You're right that cars have been WLTP-tested for a while now, but the WLTP CO2 figure was not in use. Instead, an-NEDC-equivalent value was used and quoted in all official documentation. That was a legal requirement, incidentally, not an attempt by the car makers to mislead.
Cars already registered will not benefit from the tax changes coming in 2021. We've covered this in detail in our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature.
How to calculate VRT on this 201 Tiguan?
Hi Shane,
I’m completely confused by the new VRT changes! If I was to look at import of a 201 used car, will VRT be calculated off the WLTP figures, or CO2. Also, will motor tax be based off the WLTP or CO2 figures. I ask in the context of a 1.5 TSI DSG Tiguan with these specs: CO2 133g/km, WLTP CO2 168g/km.
Thanks in advance,
Dan
Daniel Shannon (Dublin )Oct 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Daniel,
In brief, CO2 emissions used to be measured on the 'NEDC' test, which was found to be inadequate. It was replaced by the new 'WLTP' regime, which still measures CO2 and outputs the rating that will be the only one used going forward.
So, the VRT and motor tax of an import, if it is registered after 1 January 2021, will be based on the WLTP CO2 rating if it exists. If it does not exist, then Revenue 'uplift' the NEDC CO2 rating according to a formula it has devised.
In the case of the 2020 Tiguan you mentioned, the 168g/km figure would be used. That means VRT of 26 per cent and annual motor tax of €420.
I recommend you read our three relevant guides, which have been updated since Budget 2021:
Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained
Will the VRT on my Mercedes reduce in 2021?
I bought a 2010 Mercedes 350 CDI; will the VRT go down in January as it will be a year older?
Ciara O Reilly (Dublin)Oct 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Ciara,
You're right, the value Revenue places on a car does reduce as the car gets older. However, I suspect in your case that that would be offset by the new VRT bands from 1 January 2021. Your car's CO2 figure will be 'uplifted' to a higher equivalent WLTP figure, which is very likely to increase the VRT rate you would pay. Read these articles for more information, but I'd suggest you're better off registering that car before January if possible: