Expert answer

Hi Mary,

That version of the Soul, with the automatic gearbox, has CO₂ emissions of 155g/km, so it’ll cost you €390 a year to tax. VRT on import shouldn’t be too steep — probably around the €1,800 mark depending on optional equipment, but bring it in quick — if you leave it until after January 1st you’ll have to pay the extra NOx tax, and that will add €1,975 to your import bill...

Expert answer

Hi Alan,

Yes, you can. Just contact your local motor tax office and inform them of the change. They’ll then switch you to the old by-engine-capacity tax system, and you’ll pay €358 per annum.

Yes, you can. Just contact your local motor tax office and inform them of the change. They’ll then switch you to the old by-engine-capacity tax system, and you’ll pay €358 per annum.

Expert answer

Hi Martina,

When you say ‘changing’ do you mean trading-in, or having your existing van converted? If you’re trading in, then we’d have to know the make and model of the van you’re interested in buying to tell you the VRT charge. If you’re converting your existing van to a crew cab, then there’s no change unless you decide to tax it as a private vehicle. Keep it as a commercial and you’ll pay the same €333 in annual motor tax.

If you want to change it to private vehicle tax (so that you can use it for anything other than strictly work use) then, assuming it’s the 1.9 dCi engine, it’ll cost you €673 in annual motor tax. There’s no VRT charge if you already own the vehicle — that only applies to new purchases or to vehicles being imported for the first time. 

Expert answer

Hi Bill,

Technically, and strictly legally speaking, yes you do I’m afraid. It’s an offence to drive a car on the public road in Ireland or the UK without having paid motor tax. You could be fined £80 on the spot in the UK, and potentially have to pay as much as £1,000 if the case went to court. All in all, it’s just not worth the risk.

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

It goes by engine size if you privately tax a commercial vehicle, so the motor tax on that would be €514 per year.

Expert answer

Hi David,

Nope, not because it comes from the UK, but because it’s the four-wheel-drive version. The extra weight and friction of the four-wheel-drive system pushes the Kuga’s CO₂ level up to 159g/km, and that incurs a €570 per annum motor tax charge. 

Expert answer

Hi Tara,

If you mean the last-generation Volvo XC70, introduced in 2013, with the D5 diesel engine, then that has CO₂ emissions of 153g/km, so that means Band C tax, and €390 per year.

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

Yes you can — anyone can buy a commercial vehicle and tax it as a commercial, but the restriction is on use. If you’re using it for personal use (i.e: literally anything other than going to and from work, or transporting items for work), then you really ought to register it as a private car and tax it accordingly. It's a major fine if you’re caught displaying incorrect tax.

Expert answer

Hi Darragh,

If you’re taxing a commercial vehicle for private use then, yes, you do revert to the old engine capacity tax system. We don’t know why either — it’s a quirk of the Irish motor tax system. For a 2.0-litre Amarok, that tax is going to be €710 per year, while for the 2.2 Ranger it’ll be €951.

Expert answer

Hi John,

Yes, you should be able to apply for a repayment of VRT and VAT on a new car, or the residual VRT on a used car, if you are the named driver of someone who qualifies under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme. I’d start by looking at the Citizens’ Information page on this, and then contacting your local motor tax office when you’re ready to. You may also qualify for free annual motor tax. As for the allowance on a €40,000 car, that will depend on the particular model as the VRT is calculated on emissions, not price.