Expert answer

Hi Orlagh,

Given Xpeng has sold several hundred examples, it must be possible to insure the car, so we can only suggest you continue to shop around various insurance companies.

In Ireland, car insurance companies get their vehicle information from the NVDF (National Vehicle Data File) provided by the Department of Transport. This is a central file used by the motor tax office, the Gardaí, etc to keep up to date with vehicle records.
 
It is up to each insurance company to ensure they update their files on a regular to ensure they can offer policies to their customers, but we I don't know how often this happens.

Expert answer

Hi Ed,

Taxing a commercial vehicle for private use means changing back to the old by-engine-capacity rules, so it'll depend on which engine the L200 you're talking about has:

2.2: €951 a year
2.4: €1,034
2.5: €1,080

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Hi Martin,

We agree completely. Thankfully, a light is appearing at the end of the tunnel. Read our piece from last year: No more motor tax discs in your windscreen. But of course, as things like this take forever in Ireland, there appears to not have been any further progress since April 2025…

Expert answer

Hi Ciara,

We need the CO₂ rating to determine the motor tax.

According to our data, that car's original CO₂ rating would have been 176g/km, but that was on the old "NEDC" system and when a car is imported into Ireland now its CO₂ figure is 'uplifted' by Revenue to align it with the newer WLTP scheme. Doing that would raise your ASX's rating to 197g/km, which would mean motor tax of €790 each year.

The importation paperwork should have shown which CO₂ rating the car now has according to Revenue so you can check it. If it's not the above figure, look up the motor tax on our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature or come back to us if you have other questions.

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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.

Expert answer

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.