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How much tax should I be paying on my Opel Vivaro?

I bought a 2021 Opel Vivaro 1.5 diesel. I'm changing it to private use as I'm 60 this year and retired. I found that it costs €302 on an official gov.ie website and took a photo of all the rates based on pre-2008 table. My local motor tax office in Tullamore is quoting €413 but that's based on the private car table.

Can you help please?

Pauric (Tullamore)

Mar 2026 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Pauric,

I'm afraid your local motor tax office has it right. When a commercial vehicle is taxed for private use, it is done by the engine size, reverting back to the old pre-2008 system, even for a relatively new van such as yours. It has nothing to do with CO₂ emissions.

So a van with an engine of 1,401-1,500cc capacity does indeed cost €413 per year to tax for private use.

Read our Motor Road Tax Prices In Ireland Explained guide for full details.

Looking to bring in a Lotus Elan through the North...

Hi,

I need advice please on importing a 1991 Lotus Elan to Southern Ireland using an intermediary address in Bangor N Ireland.

I heard that the Windsor Agreement permits a car to come into NI for a few months to be insured and MOT'd there and after a few months brought into to South of Ireland avoiding VAT providing there is proof of use there, ie petrol receipts. Is this correct?

Christopher Hayward (Kinsale, Co. Cork)

Mar 2026 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Christopher,

That is mostly correct, though the car must be registered to someone at the Northern Irish address and I don't believe that petrol receipts will suffice as proof. An MOT in the North should though. Revenue isn't very precise in its information around this, unfortunately.

What do I need for Revenue when importing a new camper?

I am proposing to import a new unregistered campervan from Northern Ireland into Ireland. The dealer is deducting the UK VAT from the price so that I pay VAT and VRT when I register the van in Ireland.

However, Revenue have advised that I need to have documentation showing that the Windsor Framework requirements relative to importing the van from UK (where it was manufactured) to NI - in that all customs duties etc between GB mainland and NI have been paid.

The dealership in NI says that it does not need to declare GB-manufactured campervans, only those coming through to NI from mainland EU.

Two conversations with both Revenue and Customs advise that since the enactment of the Windsor Framework such documentation is required to enable me to register the van in Southern Ireland.

Is there a document that I need to ask for from the dealer/UK HM Revenue so that there is no confusion as to what I need?

Thanks

Bryan Roe (DALKEY)

Mar 2026 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Bryan,

Ask the dealer for a copy of the customs declaration covering the vehicle's movement from Great Britain into Northern Ireland (showing the VIN), or a T2L document.

That is the documentation Revenue is referring to when it mentions the Windsor Framework requirements.

Should I buy an imported Toyota Auris?

I am trying to buy a second-hand Toyota Auris from a dealership in Dublin who imports cars directly from Japan. I wonder why the insurance company is dragging its feet even though I have a letter from the dealership stating it has an immobiliser. I am also concerned about getting parts as I have heard it can be difficult. Also I am being offered a three-month warranty but wondering if I should extend this?

Thanks.

Angie (DALKEY)

Mar 2026 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Angie,

Insurance companies can be a little funny about Japanese imports, even if the cars are identical to those sold new in Ireland. I'm a bit surprised the company demanded proof of it having an immobiliser though – that's not the norm, in that most of the time they take your word for it. Perhaps do some more shopping around on the insurance side?

If the Auris looks the same and has the same powertrain as the cars sold in Ireland, then I wouldn't worry about parts.

In terms of warranty, get the longest one you can of course.

When will the BYD Atto 3 Evo be in Ireland?

Just wondering when will the BYD Atto 3 Evo be available in Ireland?

Pat (Adare)

Mar 2026 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

MDL, the Irish distributors of BYD, tells us it will be "Q2 2026".

Hello is the Smart #1 Brabus available in Ireland?

Pat (Adare)

Mar 2026 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

We're not aware of any changes to the Smart #1 Brabus since it went on sale a couple of years ago, but yes, it is still listed as available on the Smart Ireland website.

Here's our review of the car if you're interested.

Is Chery coming to Ireland?

Mark Foley (Limerick )

Mar 2026 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

We don't have any information on this at all I'm afraid. It would be highly surprising if it did not eventually come here, but we don't know anything more at this stage.

Is there a new Mazda3 coming to Ireland in 2026?

John O Sullivan (Waterford)

Feb 2026 Filed under: future cars

Expert answer

Hi John,

The Mazda3 was updated slightly last year, but nothing drastic, and yes, that's on sale in Ireland. No announcements have been made about an all-new model.

Is the BYD Atto 3 Evo in Ireland yet?

Hello,

Just wondering would you know if the BYD Atto 3 Evo is available in Ireland?

Pat (Adare)

Feb 2026 Filed under: future cars

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

It's not yet in Ireland (in fact, we're driving it in the coming week at its European launch), but we have been told that it should arrive in the second quarter of this year. We'd guess that means closer to the "262" plate in July in reality.

How much does the MG4 cost?

Patrick Dromey (Co Cork)

Feb 2026 Filed under: pricing

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

At the time of writing, prices for the 2026MY MG4 EV have yet to be announced, so there's only one variant listed on the MG Ireland website. It's the Excite Standard Range at €30,995, though there's a 261 offer live as well knocking an additional €4,000 off that price.