Reckon I'll fit three kids in back of a RAV4?
Hi, I was wondering about fitting two car seats and a booster in a RAV4; is this possible? We will have a new born and a 20-month old and a four-year old. Just wondering is a new car the only option or is there a possible combination of seats?
Thanks in advance for your help
Jennie O Keeffe (Dublin )Jan 2020 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Jennie,
It depends on the model of RAV4. If it’s the previous (up to 2019) model, then I think you’ll struggle as the rear seat was very narrow. The new, current-shape, RAV4 might let you squeeze them in though as it’s a good bit bigger. Of course not all seats are equal and if you shop around a little you might find seats that are a little narrower and which fit better. For the booster seat, a good recommendation is a Bubble Bum — they’re inflatable and can usually squeeze between other seats a bit more easily.
I want to use a crew cab privately...
I want to use a six-seat crew cab as a private car; how much is the VRT and road tax on a 2.2-litre diesel?
Fergus Scully (Navan )Dec 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Fergus,
VRT won’t come into it. Even if you’re buying as a private buyer, you still pay the 13.3 per cent commercial vehicle rate. As for motor tax, for a 2.2 engine it’ll be €951 per year.
Can I tax this Defender as a commercial?
Hi,
I'm just wondering about taxing a vehicle as commercial. I read your article on it but what if the vehicle (1998 Defender 110) only has three seats, no back seats and is classified as a commercial van? Can I still tax it without a VAT number etc, or will I have to pay full private vehicle tax?
Martin McMahon (Crinstown, Maynooth)Dec 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
If the car is registered as a commercial vehicle, and that’s how you’re using it (strictly no social, domestic, nor pleasure motoring) then yes, absolutely, you can tax it as a commercial.
Looking to import a Ford Transit...
Hi,
I am looking to import a Ford Transit Custom crew cab six-seat with separate cargo area. I'm not sure on the VRT charges due to all the changes at the start of 2019. Can you advise me on what charges I will be liable for? I tried contacting Revenue, but unfortunately no response!
Many thanks
Seamus O'Connor (Balbriggan)Dec 2019 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Seamus,
If it’s a crew cab with a separate cargo area then that should (emphasis on the 'should') count as a van and will therefore qualify for 13.3 per cent commercial VRT.
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.
Can I add seats to my van?
For a van with (J) N1 (J.1) C (J.5) 2359 (V.7) 217: this vehicle is currently taxed at commercial rate. If the number of seats were increased from three to include two more in the back, what are the VRT implications and tax class implications in relation to cost for this conversion? The vehicle has been imported.
Phil
Phil McKeown (ARMAGH)Dec 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Phil,
It depends on the specific vehicle. Some vans retain their N1 classification if converted to a crew-cab, so your best bet is to contact your local tax office to get the specific details for your van.
Can I tax a commercial vehicle as private?
Hi there,
I am looking for an option here. I am soon to change job. The options will be a company car or a car allowance. I would like to think I would be better off with the allowance as this will be a gross amount added to my wages and then taxed instead of a net amount taken directly from my wages. Probably the same amount but in reverse, but with the allowance I won't be down per month. I am wondering how possible it is to tax some commercial vehicles (the ones with back seats) as private vehicles. Is this allowed? Is there any law against this? Obviously this will increase the road tax on them anyway, but it will give me more options as am just considering these as an option.
Thanks.
Brian Murphy (Cork)Dec 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
It’s pretty simple to tax a commercial vehicle as a private car, but it does mean reverting to the old by-engine-capacity tax system, so beware of going over 2.0 litres in engine capacity as the tax cost starts to become prohibitive after that point.
Read our Buying a commercial vehicle for private use feature on the subject for more.
Can I commercialise a new Range Rover?
Hi, I recently spoke with the owner of a second hand BMW X5 and he has commercialised the car by taking out the middle safety belt for the second row. This basically turns it into a four-seater and apparently a commercial, like the Ford Kuga. My question is: is this legal and ok with Revenue, Customs etc? And if so is it possible to do the same with a brand new Range Rover Sport?
Thank you. Martin
Martin O’Meara (Schull)Dec 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
It depends on the age of the X5 as to whether this works. As long as it was registered pre-July 2018, then yeah — it’s fine and legal, although rather more in the letter of the law than the spirit. As for a new Range Rover Sport, the answer is no — that tax loophole was a closed off last year, so no-go I’m afraid.
How much VRT on a Lamborghini Gallardo?
Hi, I was wondering would you have any idea on the VRT of the following car:
Year: 2005
Mileage: 67191
Seats: 2
Colour: Silver
Drive Side: Right-hand drive
Transmission: Manual
Power: 520
Fuel: Petrol
Engine Size: 4,961cc
Manufacturer: Lamborghini
Metallic Paint: Yes
Model: Gallardo
Safety Features: Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag, Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Immobiliser, Safety Belt Pretensioners, Xenon headlights, Four Wheel Drive, Alarm
Body Type: Coupe
Interior/Comfort Options: Air Conditioning, Climate Control, Central Locking, Leather Seats, Electric Adjustable Seats, Electric heated seats, Electric Windows, Power-assisted Steering (PAS), Tilt Steering Wheel
Doors: 2
In-Car Audio: AM/FM Stereo, CD Player, Navigation System
Nov 2019 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
Basically, rocking up to an inspection with a Lamborghini is a licence for Revenue to charge you whatever it fancies… I wouldn’t be surprised to see a VRT bill of more than €30-40,000 for this one.
Which Outlander PHEV to go for?
Hey there, I love your site, the content is great and I have been reading it for a while now. I have a question you might be able to help me with.
I am looking to buy a used Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and have two options as per below and would love your opinion on which one to go for - basically the highest spec version of the second generation model for €17.5k or the second highest spec version of the third-generation version for €19.5k...
Option 1 - 2015(1) Second Generation PHEV 5hs
- This is the top of the line spec with red leather interior, all heated seats, Alpine stereo system
- This one has 23k miles on the clock
- Price - €17,500 (with a trade-in for my banged up Opel Meriva)
Option 2 - 2015 (2) Third Generation PHEV 4hs
- This is the newer model of the PHEV
- It is high spec but not quite as many bells and whistles as the above
- This one has 30k miles on the clock
- Price - €19,500 (with the trade-in)
Thank you
Patrick Conway (Dublin)Nov 2019 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
We’d go for the slightly later, slightly more expensive Outlander, and sacrifice a couple of options. That update was a major one, not just on the styling front, but on the mechanical front too. The second-generation Outlander PHEV was more refined than before, and there were some significant improvements to the electric part of the powertrain, which make it both a bit quicker under electric-only power, and a bit more economical overall.