Is it just €358 to tax my small van?
Hi,
I just read your article on vehicle tax in Ireland. I have a small van and was thinking of using it as my daily mode of transport. Am I correct in saying that I will only pay €358 on a 1.3-litre engine size?
Leigh Hillen (Delgany)Apr 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Leigh,
Yup, that’s exactly right.
Which big car for a growing family?
Hi guys,
I love your website and the reviews are great.
I have a family of two girls under three with third child due in two months! We have a Kia Sportage that is full with two baby car seats and have no space for a third. We have the need to upgrade. Currently considering the Volvo XC90 as it seems to have the best third-row option - I really can't see myself driving a Galaxy... We have been looking at 2016/2018 models.
Are we better off waiting and seeing what happens? Any advice on what you would recommend would be great - open to suggestions.
Thanks
Colm Fuller (Dublin)Apr 2020 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Colm,
Well, in terms of ’seeing what happens’, how long have you got? The first thing I’d say is that you shouldn’t rule out cars like the Galaxy, the SEAT Alhambra, the VW Sharan and especially the Ford S-Max. I know MPVs are not as fashionable as SUVs, but when you’ve got kids to haul around, they really do make a huge amount of sense. Plus, if you were to go for the S-Max, you’d be getting a car that’s brilliant to drive, too. Get it in a smart metallic colour with nice alloys and it looks good, as well.
If you’re determined to get an SUV, then yes — the XC90 is probably the best of them, and reliable too. The Hyundai Santa Fe is well worth a look as well (although its third row isn’t as roomy as that of the Volvo’s) as is the Kia Sportage (one of our favourite SUVs, actually).
But seriously, go for the S-Max.
Is VRT €200 on importing some vans?
Hi,
I plan to import a 2018 VW Transporter van from the UK. This van has front seats only with bulkhead (not a Kombi). It's a standard, SWB, manual 2.0-litre van. Am I right in thinking that the VRT on these vans is €200?
Thanks
Colm Griffin (Castlebar)Mar 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Colm,
It depends — for the most part, all vans are charged VRT at a rate of 13.3 per cent of the Irish market selling price, but some N1 vans qualify for a basic charge of €200 if, according to Revenue, they have always had fewer than four seats, and at any time a laden mass greater than 130 per cent of the mass in service. Better check with the local motor tax office to find out which category your Transporter fits into...
How to change my Transporter van to private?
I want to change my 2007 2.5 TDI Volkswagen Transporter to private; how do I do it?
Tj Keeley (Roundwood)Mar 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi TJ,
It’s pretty easy, actually. You simply contact your local motor tax office and let them know that you wish to tax the vehicle for private use. They’ll then switch it over to the old by-engine-capacity tax system (€1,080 for a year’s tax for a 2.5-litre) and that’s the job done. You should probably inform your insurers too, although there shouldn’t be any major issues with that.
Will my Japanese import cost a lot for NOx?
I have a three-cylinder 0.6-litre petrol 'kei car' coming from Japan that was never sold in Europe. Will this be hit with the max fine of €600 NOx charge as there is no NOx reading available, or is there anything that can be done to avoid paying this crazy charge when it should only be a a few Euro for an engine so small?
Tomas Sea (Ireland)Feb 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Tomas,
Well, the NOx tax isn’s about the size of the engine, it’s about the NOx emissions, which are not specifically related to the size. It could be worth getting on to the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, who may be able to provide you with a specific NOx figure for the car you’re talking about, but otherwise, just be thankful it’s not a diesel — those are subject to a maximum €4,850 extra in NOx tax if you can’t provide an accurate figure.
NOx value for a Japanese import?
How can I get a NOx report for a Japanese import?
Mick Keenan (Celbridge)Feb 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Mick,
You should be able to get a figure from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. According to Revenue: "If a NOx figure cannot be provided for a vehicle then a flat charge will apply.” For a petrol-engined car that’s a maximum of €600, so it’s not the worst news in the world (a diesel-engined car would be charged as much as €4,850).
Does the Ford Kuga have a wet belt?
I'm thinking of buying a Ford Kuga soon... Do they have a wet belt as well as the main cam belt? I'm asking because I had a Focus 1.8 diesel Sport and the wet belt snapped.
Lee Phillips (Caerphilly )Feb 2020 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Lee,
It's only the 1.8 TDCi diesel engine from Ford that used that wet belt set-up, none of the others. The 1.8-litre engine was never offered in the Kuga.
Which category is the Transporter crewcab?
I am considering importing a 2017/18/19 Volkswagen Transporter crewcab van for personal use. How do I know which category it would fall into for VRT? Is a crewcab van still classed as a van and in Category C or due to five seats is it classed Category A?
Peter Cody (Enfield )Feb 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
It depends on how the interior layout of the van is arranged. If there is no bulkhead or physical separation between the seating area and the cargo area, then it’ll be registered as a Category A vehicle and it’ll be taxed on the full CO2 emissions. If, though, there is a fixed bulkhead or separation between the seats and the cargo, then it goes into Category B, as it’s allowed to have more than three seats but have the passenger and cargo/functional compartments in completely separate units. That should VRT is charged at a flat rate of 13.3 per cent of the OMSP.
How to calculate VAT on a UK import?
If I am buying a new car in the UK and I have to pay Irish VAT, what figure do I use to calculate the VAT? Is it the UK price inclusive or exclusive of VAT converted to Euro?
M Cassidy (Enfield )Jan 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Maura,
God knows, the VRT and VAT system is byzantine at the best of times, but according to the Revenue handbook, the VAT charged on an imported vehicle is based on the price paid, converted into Euro. According to the handbook, under the heading ‘Purchase of new vehicles (New Means of Transport) by a private individual from a person in another country’ it says: "The VRT is calculated on the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) of a vehicle, rather than the actual purchase price. The value for calculating VAT is the price charged for the vehicle, converted to Euro where necessary."
Toyota RAV4 Luna vs. Sport?
What is the difference between a Toyota RAV4 Luna and RAV4 Sport?
Don Murphy (Cork)Jan 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Don,
The differences are around €5,000 in terms of a new car price. The Sport, on top of the Luna, gets built-in navigation, contrast stitching on the dash, blue ambient background light, paddle shifts for the CVT gearbox, power operated driver's seat, heated front seats, 18-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, sportier exterior styling, contrast-colour roof and bi-beam LED headlights.