Are pick-ups same as vans for BIK?
Hi,
I'm considering buying a 2008 Toyota Hilux double cab under a limited company and paying the BIK for private use as well. Do pick-ups fall in the same five per cent category as vans in Ireland?
Thank you
Jakub Cerny (Dublin)Jul 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Jakub,
It certainly should do, but my advice would be to check carefully with the company’s accountant before proceeding.
Can a farmer use the herd no. for CV tax?
Can a farmer still use their herd number instead of a VAT no. to avail of commercial vehicle tax rate on a 4x4 like a Toyota Land Cruiser or Hilux etc? This was the case in the past but has this changed?
Fintan Cassidy (Blessington)Jul 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Fintan,
In theory, a herd number might be sufficient, but basically it’s down to the local motor tax office with which you’re dealing. Basically, there’s two threads here — the first is that the vehicle must be an appropriate one for commercial use, and the second is that you must show some sort of documentation that proves that you require the use of such a vehicle. We checked with the Department of Transport, and here’s the reply we received:
"Motor tax is based on both the construction and use of a vehicle. To be taxed as a goods vehicle, a vehicle must be constructed or adapted as a goods vehicle and must be used solely for the carrying of goods in the course of trade or business. Under Article 3 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 385 of 1992), a licensing authority (motor tax office) must be satisfied that the licence (motor tax disc) being applied for is the appropriate licence for the vehicle concerned. It is open to the relevant motor tax office to seek whatever documentation it deems appropriate in support of an application for a particular rate of motor tax. In the case of an application for the goods rate of motor tax, such documentation may include a certificate of commercial insurance, a Tax Clearance Certificate, evidence of registration for tax or registration for VAT (if turnover for VAT exceeds the relevant thresholds set down by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners) or, at the discretion of the licensing authority, any other appropriate documentation that would indicate that the applicant is in trade or business. It is up to the individual concerned to provide whatever evidence is required by the licensing authority in order for it to be satisfied that the applicant is entitled to claim what is in effect a concessionary rate of tax."
VRT on a new Land Cruiser Utility import?
Hi,
Do you happen to know the VRT rate for a new Toyota Land Cruiser Utility two-door with two seats imported from the UK? I'm confused!
Thanks.
Leslie Barfoot (Magherafelt )Jul 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Leslie,
I would double-check this with your local motor tax office, but in theory a Land Cruiser Utility will be charged at 13.3 per cent VRT of the Irish Open Market Selling Price. The short-wheelbase Land Cruiser retails at €43,950 new in Ireland, so it’s going to be a fair chunk of VRT, plus if it’s a new car you’ll have to pay the VAT on top of that.
Toyota Avensis or Mazda CX-5?
I am driving approx 52k yearly in a 1.6-litre diesel 161 VW Passat with 125,000km on the clock. Thinking of changing to a 171 Mazda CX-5 2.2 with 62,000km or a 161 Toyota Avensis 2.0-litre with 98,000km. Which is the better option or is there another I should be looking at?
Mags
Mags Smith (CARRICK-ON-SHANNON)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mags,
OK, there’s a bit of a balance to be struck, here. The Avensis would, normally, be a good, solid choice and of the two cars you’ve mentioned, it’s the more economical overall. However, we’re always slightly wary of cars that may have been used in the past as taxis, so you’d want to carefully check the history on that one, using Cartell.ie, for example.
The Mazda CX-5 is one of our favourite cars, but if it’s a 2017 model you’re looking at, then you’d want to make sure that it’s the second-generation CX-5 — not that the older car is bad or anything, but the newer version is a deal more sophisticated and refined, so worth stretching the budget for. The current version arrived in Ireland during 2017. It would be a bit thirstier than the Avensis but of the two it would be our choice.
Others worth looking at? Honda’s CR-V is always an excellent choice (massively roomy, hugely reliable), VW Passat (go for the estate), or the Skoda Superb. Here are a few our reviews to help:
Will a Toyota warranty be ok on an import?
I am importing a 2017 Toyota Avensis 1.6 Business Diesel from the UK to Ireland. There is a seven-year manufacturer's warranty on the car. Does this transfer to the Republic of Ireland?
Johnnie O'Malley (Ballina)Jun 2020 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi Johnnie,
Are you quite sure that it’s a seven-year warranty? Toyota UK generally offers a five-year warranty, which is the standard pan-European three-year warranty, topped up for an extra two years by the UK importer. In Ireland, Toyota only offers the standard three-year warranty, so it’s unlikely that the extra two years of the UK one will be honoured here, as it’s a market-specific offer.
Tax and insurance on a 2009 Toyota RAV4?
What's the annual road tax on a 2009 Toyota RAV4 D4D? Will the insurance be high on it as well?
Jacqui Turvey (Carrick )Jun 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Jacqui,
With CO2 emissions of 173g/km, a 2009 RAV4 diesel is going to be in Band E for motor tax, which means €750 a year. As for insurance, it shouldn’t be too bad, but as ever, Irish insurance is a minefield and often depends more on you and your record than the car, so make sure you take the time to shop around.
Is there a BIK tax reduction for hybrids?
Hi guys,
I’ve opted for a Toyota Corolla hybrid for my next company car. My question is, is there a reduction in BIK tax for hybrid electric cars in Ireland?
Niall Carson (Athy)Jun 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Niall,
I’m afraid not. Revenue only applies BIK relief to electric cars and flatly states that ‘hybrids do not count as electric vehicles.’ BIK is calculated on the value of the car and the annual mileage, not on the CO2 emissions of the car. That may change in the coming months, with the new FG-FF-Green coalition promising to review the motor taxation system, but for now, there’s no BIK benefit to driving a hybrid.
Can I import a Land Cruiser as commercial?
Hi there,
Wondering if you can clarify something for me about importing a Toyota Land Cruiser from the UK for commercial use in Ireland. Does the vehicle need to have been commercially registered in the UK, which I think is N1, before it can be imported and taxed as commercial in Ireland? I've tried searching for commercial vehicles in the UK but there are only a handful of vehicles listed whereas there are thousands of the same model vehicle (Toyota Land Cruiser) listed as having been privately registered.
Many thanks in advance
Ken
Ken O'Sullivan (Lahinch)Jun 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Ken,
It depends on what exactly we’re talking about here. If it’s a two-seat Land Cruiser with a cargo bay in the back, then Revenue should treat it as a purely commercial vehicle for VRT purposes, even if you later go on to tax it as a private vehicle. If, though, it’s a four-seat model that has been categorised as an N1 in the UK, Revenue won’t accept it as a van here anymore, and it’ll be charged at the full passenger car VRT rate.
Used Avensis or Passat for 25k a year?
I do on average 25,000km a year. Live in the country. I have a choice between 142 1.6 Volkswagen Passat (246,000km, €8,800), 142 1.6 VW Passat (180,000km, €9,500), 131 2.0 Toyota Avensis (198,000km €8,950) or 2012 2.0 Avensis (146,000km €8,000).
Advice welcome
James McDonagh (Curry)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi James,
OK, at 25,000km per year, you’re just about over the line for diesel to make good sense for you. Both the Passat and the Avensis are rugged, reliable cars so they’re both good choices. The Passat has the nicer interior and is more comfortable overall, and that 1.6-litre diesel is remarkably economical (we once drove from Galway to Glasgow, via Belfast, and back on one tank…).
However, the Avensis would have an edge on overall reliability, which, when dealing with cars of this sort of mileage and age, could be significant. I’d say, on balance, go for one of the Avensis, but carefully check over the history and condition of each car, and go for the one that’s the best in those regards, rather than mileage or price. Oh, and as with any four-door saloon with high mileage, check to make sure that neither has been previously used as a taxi. We recommend Cartell.ie for a full history check.
Looking for used electric or hybrid SUV...
Hi,
I am in the market for second hand car and would like to buy a small hybrid or electric SUV; what would you suggest? I am very confused as there are so many different cars out there now. I have been looking at the CH-R and Kona Electric, but think they are overpriced. Do you think now is a good time to buy or should I wait?
Catherine, Dublin
CATHERINE OCONNOR (DALKEY)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
Now is a good time to buy a hybrid, that’s for certain, but given that the Toyota C-HR and Hyundai Kona are among the very few hybrid crossovers currently on sale, you may struggle a little to find choice beyond those two models. It could be well worth looking at a Toyota Corolla or Auris hatchback or estate instead — they’re more practical, in any case, and there’s very little actual difference in height. Alternatively, there’s the Kia Niro hybrid, which was on sale from 2017. Prices for early Niros are now down to around €20,000, and they’ll still be under warranty until 2024.