Expert answer

Hi Paul,

It goes by the engine size when you're taxing a commercial vehicle privately, so it works out as €710 per annum for that Ranger. Read these for more info:

Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained

Buying a commercial vehicle for private use

Expert answer

Hi John,

Yes, we’ve been hearing from more than a few readers that while taxing a commercial as a private vehicle is simple enough, getting insurance is another matter entirely. As ever, our first advice for any insurance query is to find a good broker who can help you out. In this specific case, as the car is coming from a family member, might it be worth asking them to tax it as a private car? They could simply then inform their existing insurer who may not even bother to raise their premium if the transaction is to take place soon. You could then approach other insurers with a pickup that’s already registered as a private car.

Expert answer

Hi Luke,

Yes, it is possible — you just need to ring up your local motor tax office and get them to switch you to the private car system. The downside is that, yes, you will be taxed on the engine capacity at that point, which, with a 3.2-litre Ranger is going to be top-whack — €1,809. You might be better off looking for a newer Ranger with the 2.2-litre engine, or the older Volkswagen Amarok, which had a 2.0-litre.

Take a read of our Buying a commercial vehicle for private use feature.

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

You will have to pay the VAT I’m afraid. In fact, you’d have to pay it as a commercial buyer as well, but you could of course reclaim it then subsequently. As a private buyer, you just have to pay it, unfortunately. For using a commercial as a private car, you have to let your local motor tax office know that you’re doing so, and you’ll then pay tax based on the size of the engine, not the CO₂ emissions figure. Getting private insurance for a commercial vehicle can be tricky, so shop around carefully or get in touch with a good broker before you commit.

Expert answer

Hi Alan,

Yes, you’ll have to pay import duty, which will be ten per cent of the price of the car, plus transportation costs. You’ll also have to pay VAT twice — once to the UK authorities and again when you complete the import process here. If you’re VAT-registered you should be able to claim back the VAT at this end, but claiming it back  from the UK will be much trickier.

In theory, the Brexit trade agreement allows for such things, but the paperwork’s a mess at the moment, and no-one really seems to know what’s going on. You could make things a little easier for yourself by buying from a dealer in Northern Ireland — you’ll not have to pay the ten per cent import duty and, although you’ll be stung for the VAT, the NI authorities are a little more switched on as there are reciprocal cross-border tax arrangements. 

Expert answer

Hi Seamus,

If you're going to use the van for any private reason at all then it will have to be taxed privately. The rate then goes by the old engine size system, regardless of the age of the van.

Read our Buying a commercial vehicle for private use feature for more details.

Expert answer

Hi Betty,

OK, it kind of depends on whether you’re looking at second hand or new, but either way your best bet could be to track down a good used Ford B-Max. That had a fairly wide-opening front door, but more importantly the rear side doors slide back, and there’s no pillar between the doors, so effectively the whole side of the car is open. That should make getting in and out a little easier for your daughter.

If that doesn’t suit, how about a Honda Jazz? Take your pick from pretty much any generation of Jazz — they’re all roomy and with big, wide-opening doors. 

Ford B-Max reviews

Honda Jazz reviews

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

OK, we’ve found a few cars that meet both your budget and your small engine requirement, and can pretty easily handle the hack to Ennis and back.

All small car searches should start with a Fiat 500 — looks cool, is fun to drive, costs buttons to run and no they’re not unreliable.

Want something a bit more conventional? You should be able to track down a 2009-ish Ford Fiesta with the 1.25 engine. Terrific all-rounder.

If you want something cheaper to run, there’s the Kia Picanto (circa 2010),  which has a peppy enough 1.0 to be able to cope with the Ennis run.

Or finally a Toyota Yaris, with that brilliant 1.0 VVTi engine, would make a hugely sensible choice, but you’ll have to go for an older one to stay on budget — 2008 or thereabouts. 

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

To tax a commercial vehicle privately the rate goes by the engine size, even for a 2020 model. With a 1,996cc engine, that Ranger will cost you €710 per annum.

Expert answer

Hi Jim,

Assuming you're sure that diesel power is for you, the Kuga is not a bad choice. There were various different power outputs available, so make sure you test it and that you're happy with the performance. The only major thing to look out for is the dual-clutch automatic gearbox - we'd steer clear of it if at all possible as it comes with many known faults.