Expert answer

Hi Pauric,

I'm afraid your local motor tax office has it right. When a commercial vehicle is taxed for private use, it is done by the engine size, reverting back to the old pre-2008 system, even for a relatively new van such as yours. It has nothing to do with CO₂ emissions.

So a van with an engine of 1,401-1,500cc capacity does indeed cost €413 per year to tax for private use.

Read our Motor Road Tax Prices In Ireland Explained guide for full details.

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

It is really difficult to get the official CO₂ and NOx figures for an imported Japanese car unless the seller provides it.

However, in your situation, it probably doesn't really matter as that car would likely be in the highest band for CO₂ (over 191g/km for VRT purposes) and NOx. The NOx levy is actually capped at €600 for petrol-fuelled cars.

Go back in and tell then you can't get the values and so I believe they'll have to put down the highest rates. This means you will pay €600 for the NOx levy and VRT at 41 per cent of the car's Open Market Selling Price (OMSP – the value Revenue believes the car to be worth after importation). There is a minimum fee for the latter, however, at €820 for cars in the highest band.

Unfortunately, as your car isn't quite a classic yet (it will be next year when it turns 30), you will pay motor tax at a rate of up to €2,400 if it is put into the top band for tax at over 225g/km. But that will only be for one year and from 2027 on you can pay classic car tax of just €55.

Don't hesitate to come back to us if you need anything clarified.

Expert answer

Hi Caroline,

If the car is already registered in Ireland and has an NCT then there will be no issue at all taxing it. The seller should be able to supply the usual Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC - often referred to as the log book). You can also check that the car is on Revenue's system by putting the registration into the Motor Tax Online page.

Expert answer

Hi Aodhan,

The €514 rate is for engine sizes 1,501-1,600cc, which applies when a commercial vehicle is taxed for private use. If you are using the Caddy exclusively for business purposes, and can prove that, bring your documentation into your local motor tax office to have the details changed so that you can pay the regular commercial rate of €333.

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Hi Martin,

It goes by the engine size in that situation, so the annual motor tax would be €1,494 for engines of 2,901-3,000cc.

Expert answer

Hi Colin,

Adding a rear seat to a 2012 Defender is mechanically straightforward, but legally and financially complex. In most cases it triggers reclassification from commercial to passenger vehicle, leading to significant VRT liability, higher annual motor tax and insurance implications.

Unless the vehicle clearly meets Revenue's crew-cab criteria (which many Defenders do not), you should expect the change to be costly.

There are many older Defenders with aftermarket seats that have not been declared as converted, but we would not advocate going down that route.

Expert answer

Hi Evan,

Thanks for your kind words, but we're not sure it warrants a full guide as vintage motor tax is quite simple - once the car is over 30 years old, it qualifies. 

Some insurers do specific classic car insurance as well, but that's quite a separate thing and each of them have their own terms and conditions when it comes to mileage and access to another car.

Expert answer

Hi Keith,

Neither I'm afraid. It will go by the engine size, as things for cars used to be before 2008. That's the case for privately taxing a commercial vehicle of any age, incidentally, aside from actual vintage commercials that is.

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

First of all, if you've lived in Ireland for at least 12 months before moving to the UK, have owned the car for at least six months and you are moving your permanent residence from Ireland to the UK then you should be eligible for transfer of residence (TOR) relief from import duty and VAT. Read the UK's rules on transfer of residence.

If so, then you'll just have to pay the DVLA registration fee (£55), get the car a new MOT cert if it's over three years old and buy a set of number plates, which will be inexpensive. There will also be Vehicle Excise Duty (VED - equivalent of our motor tax) to pay, the rate of which varies depending on the car.

Double-check all the rules for yourself on the UK government's Importing vehicles into the UK page.

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

Assuming the car has been in the North for its life (or at least a significant portion of it), and that you can prove that, then no import/customs duty will be payable, and neither will VAT.

If the value of the car (according to Revenue that is, not the price you pay for it) is under €40,000, then the VRT rebate will cover all VRT as well so potentially there is no tax at all - other than motor tax after registration of course.