Which nearly-new crossover to get?
I am in the market for a compact SUV (small town SUV). My 17-year-old daughter wants to learn to drive in it also so I need a manual. I think a 1.0- or 1.2-litre petrol engine would be the sort of thing. I've driven a Captur, Juke, T-Cross, Kona, Crossland X, ix20 and a Toyota C-HR. The Toyota drove really well but it's pricier and longer. What would you recommend as a 2017/2018 vehicle based on drive and value for money and a learner driver?
Anne Marie O'Byrne (Wexford)Mar 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Anne Marie.
Well, normally for a learner driver and for mostly in-town driving, we’d recommend a hatchback, rather than an SUV or crossover, but if your heart is set on one… Of the list you’ve given us below, the Toyota is the best, although arguably as a 1.2-litre petrol, you’re not getting the best C-HR (which is the hybrid, but then that’s an automatic). The Volkswagen T-Cross would be an excellent choice, has a brilliant little 1.0-litre engine and is a bit more upright and square than the others, so is a bit easier to see out of, which might be helpful for your daughter while she’s learning. The Kona would also be an excellent choice, but we’d also add the Suzuki Vitara to your list as its a solid and rugged choice - and hugely reliable.
Read our Renault Captur reviews
Read our Volkswagen T-Cross reviews
VAT or VRT on N1 to M1 conversion?
I want to purchase a commercial SUV, but I will have to convert the vehicle from an N1 to an M1 category as it will be insured and taxed privately. Am I liable for any VAT or VRT?
Paul Devine (Maynooth)Jan 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
No. If you purchase it as a commercial vehicle, then you will pay the commercial vehicle VRT rate of 13.3 per cent, whether or not you then go on to convert it. There should be no VAT implication either, as you’ll pay the normal VAT rate at the time of purchase. According to Revenue, if you’re converting to M1 status, you only need to make them aware of it if you’re adding seats to the vehicle, but as with all VAT matters, check with your accountant before leaping.
Can I tax an SUV private, but insure it as LCV?
Is it possible to tax an SUV privately, whilst insured commercially? To use privately with kids etc outside of work hours?
Alan O Brien (Dublin)Jan 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Alan,
No. You’ll need to show proof of insurance when you tax the vehicle so if you’re taxing it privately, but insuring it as a commercial, then alarm bells might well be raised. Also, if you did have an accident and your insurance company found out that you were playing both sides of the system, you’d probably have your claim denied.
Should a disabled driver buy a new commercial?
I am a disabled driver. Would I be better off to purchase a new five-seat commercial SUV given that I am exempt of VRT and VAT?
Hugh Cormack (Blacklion Co Cavan)Jan 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Hugh,
Sort of, yes. The thing is that there aren’t any five-seat commercial 4x4s anymore — the N1 certification loophole for that kind of car was closed off in 2018, so now five-seat SUVs pay a full rate of VRT. However, if you’re exempt from paying both VRT and VAT then one of those very cars (Toyota Land Cruiser, perhaps? Or maybe a VW Touareg?) would be an ideal car for you as you will be getting one at an effective 50 per cent discount compared to the rest of us. Well worth investigating.
Are crew cab rules ok for used vehicles?
Do the new crew cab tax rates apply to second hand cars? For example, if I buy a 2008 SUV that's classified as a crew cab and taxed as such can I continue to tax it at the commercial rate? I am a limited company director and VAT-registered so the car would be for business use.
Pete Watters (Dublin)Dec 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Pete,
Yup, if it’s been registered as a commercial vehicle in the first place, and you’re using it only for work purposes, then you’re entitled to continue to tax it as a commercial.
Can we claim back VAT on a five-seat SUV?
Can a company claim back VAT on a five-seat SUV?
Deirdre , Galway
Deirdre Dunne (Galway)Dec 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Deirdre,
Not any more, I’m afraid. The government closed off the loophole in the tax system that allowed five-seat SUVs with big boots to be classed as vans for tax purposes. That was all shut down in July 2018. Now, it’s always worth checking with your accountant, and you can claim back VAT against five-seat crew-cab pickups and vans, but in general the claiming back on SUVs has gone, now.
What will we replace our Passat with?
Hi there I have a query please.
I have a 181 Passat Comfortline with 78,000km on the clock. We are looking to change as we do every two years. We have got varying prices of €15,000 for the Passat and €16,000 for a Tiguan. We are thinking of the SUV route and have also priced the Skoda Karoq, where we were quoted €11,000. We don't think we are willing to pay as dear to stay Volkswagen, but the garage has a 192 demo Tiguan for €11,000 and wondering if that is worth it. Because of high mileage, resale value is a consideration.
Any advice appreciated.
Eleanor McGrath (Co.Clare)Oct 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eleanor,
I think, in general, you’re being given a decent trade-in against your Passat, assuming that the cars you’re looking at have a new price tag of around €35,000. I think of the cars you’ve mentioned, the Skoda looks like the best deal (surprise, surprise) as it’s basically identical to the Tiguan underneath, and just as good to drive. Just as well-made, too. Obviously, going for a demo Tiguan makes a lot of sense too, but just remember that it’ll technically be a two-owner car once it comes to resale time. One final wrinkle is that the new Passat (not entirely new but with some significant updates) is just arriving in dealerships now, so would be worth checking out to see if you prefer that to an SUV.
How much to tax a commercial Santa Fe?
Can you please tell me how much my tax would be on a Santa Fe 2.0-litre commercial SUV, but with private tax cause I don’t have a VAT number? The car has only two seats.
Naomi Campbell (Tipperary )Oct 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Naomi,
Quick question — are you sure it’s a 2.0-litre? Only most Santa Fes since 2006 have had a 2.2-litre diesel engine. If it is indeed a 2.0-litre, then taxing it as a private vehicle will set you back €710. If it does turn out to have a 2.2 then that’s going to be €951.
Can child seats touch each other safely?
Hi,
We are currently trying to fit three car seats in the back of a Ford Mondeo; we can fit a rear facing infant seat on a base (belted not ISOFIX), a slim high back booster non harnessed and a forward facing harnessed slim type high back booster. Only issue is they are all touching and whilst I have room to put my hand between the two boosters to buckle and unbuckle my eldest, I have had conflicting advice. Some people say it's not safe for the seats to be touching, others say once you have room to put your hand between to buckle and unbuckle it is safe, but in reality unless I move up to an SUV, any seats you fit three across in a family-sized car are going to touch off one another.
I would love to hear any advice or research to say whether it is safe or not to have them touching (mainly in regards to side car impact).
Thank you
Mary
Mary McSweeney (Tipperary )Sep 2019 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
No, you don’t need to be worried if the seat sides are touching or rubbing together. After all, as the car leans over in corners, the seats will lean too and rub in different ways, so it’s not really an issue. As long as you can safely reach the seatbelt release in an emergency, and as long as the seatbelts are fitting properly across everyone’s shoulders, you should be fine. And of course that there's no danger of one seat pushing the release button for another.
Which head-turning SUV to go for?
Selfishly, I would like a head-turning vehicle, that's a comfortable ride and stylish. Unselfishly, I need to consider older parents that can get into the vehicle fairly easily and be comfortable in the back. Prepared to pay for the luxury but looking for right choice. Don't drive many miles a year, with a mix of motorway and urban. Petrol or hybrid seems sensible option. Have looked at SUVs briefly including Macan and Maserati, but not sure these are best buys? Looking for recommendations for a nice sized vehicle for up to four people.
Michelle Morgan (Bromley)Aug 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Michelle,
Well, a Porsche Macan or Maserati Levante would certainly be fun choices, but possibly not the best from the point of view of your parents… One potentially very good option could be the Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar — a plug-in hybrid with serious performance and excellent handing, but loads of space in the back and really comfy seats. Audi’s new SQ5 diesel is another good choice (really comfy and plenty roomy), as would be the mighty V8 diesel Audi SQ7. To be honest, though, if you want to spend big on a luxurious SUV that’s also fun to drive, it’s pretty hard to look past a Range Rover...
A little reading to help you decide: