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.
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.
Where can I see the Cadillac Lyriq in Ireland?
Where can I see the Cadillac Lyriq in Ireland?
Micheal Tynan (Dunlaoghaire)Apr 2026 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
The new Cadillac showroom is not yet ready, but the cars are on display next door to the Audi showroom in Sandyford in Dublin.
Have you read our detailed review of the car?
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 to prove when I drove a car into Ireland?
You mentioned when taking the car for NCT, you're supposed to gather evidence of the vehicle arriving in Ireland. What if I drive it down to ROI?
Sharath (Blackrock)Mar 2026 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Sharath,
There isn't clear instruction from Revenue on what to do in that situation. I'd suggest keeping toll or fuel receipts for the journey, along with the invoice/receipt from the seller. Those things should suffice.
Can I use a Toyota RAV4 as a commercial SUV?
Can I change a Toyota RAV4 from a private SUV to a commercial? And , if I can do, do I have to remove the back seats or can just leave them flat? I am self-employed and registered etc in Ireland. My current van is a commercial.
Lynsey (Blackrock)Mar 2026 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Lynsey,
The only way to do it would be to permanently remove the rear seats and seatbelts and create a bulkhead between the front two seats and the cargo area. It will also require a conversion declaration.
Will I pay VRT and duty buying a Hyundai Kona EV in the North?
I'm going to purchase a NI-reg 2024 Hyundai Kona EV used from a dealer in Northern Ireland. I may pay about €25/26k. Will I be charged VRT or duty?
Gerard Cronin (Cork)Mar 2026 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Gerard,
On importation, you will not have to pay VRT as the Kona is all-electric and within the top limit for a full VRT rebate.
We can't determine the car's customs status for you, however, which determines whether or not you'll pay VAT and import duty. To avoid that, you'll need to ensure the car was actually imported into the North and used there for a “reasonable amount of time” (Revenue's words) before being sold on for export.
Put more simply, if the dealer brought the car into the North from England, Scotland or Wales just to sell on, it's highly likely that you will be stung for VAT and duty.
How much VRT on a petrol Skoda Octavia RS from the North?
Hi,
I'm looking at buying a 2022 Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0-litre petrol from Northern Ireland. It has 46,000 miles on the clock. I'm just wondering how much VRT would be on this.
I've rang Revenue but they wouldn't give me a value because it isn't listed on their system so they said they would have to bring an outside vendor to value it. I have tried the VRT valuation site which I had to pay for, but I found the valuation to be a bit low, between €3,500-4,500.
Now it would be great it that is what the VRT is but I'm just worried about buying it and being hit with a big VRT bill.
I would appreciate any help with this please.
Derek Mc Carthy (Bandon)Mar 2026 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Derek,
We can only give you another estimate, I'm afraid, as there's no way to know what Revenue will actually value it at when it comes to its inspection.
There's a similar car on sale on Carzone as I write listed at about €37,000. Taking that as the OMSP (Open Market Selling Price) and the CO2 output putting it into Band 18 for VRT (156-170g/km) at 30 per cent of the OMSP, then the VRT bill would in theory be €11,100.
That's before the NOx levy, though it's only a few hundred Euro on a modern petrol car such as that.
Adjust what you think Revenue will value the car at (the OMSP) to see what effect it has on the VRT calculation, but I agree with you that €3,500-4,500 seems low and you should be prepared for more.