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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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Hi Bridie,

Yes, if you’re going to use a van or pick-up as a private vehicle, then you really ought to change the classification on the registration document. A trip to your local motor tax office will help in this regard. As for the test, yes, even though it’s now being used for private driving, it’ll still have to go through the Commercial Vehicle Test (CVT — the new name for the old DOE test) and that costs €94 for a van or 4x4 commercial.

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Hi Michael,

You’ll need to go and talk to your local motor tax office to get it re-registered, and you’ll almost certainly end up paying more motor tax, as you’ll be taxed on the capacity of the engine. You’ll still have to put it through the Commercial Vehicles Test (CVT) every year, and don’t forget to advise your insurer of the change of use.

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Hi Noreen,

If it’s taxed on the old engine capacity system, then it’ll cost you €636 a year. Theoretically, though, you could apply to have it taxed under the CO₂-based system, and with emissions of 162g/km, it’ll actually be a little cheaper, at €570 a year.

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Hi Jacinta,

Yes, you can. Anyone can buy a commercial vehicle and take advantage of the lower rates of VRT — that’s fine. The only tricky part comes, as you rightly point out, when it comes to taxing them. Then you have to tax the vehicle as a private car, and that means (for some bizarre reason) reverting to the old  by-engine-capacity tax, which obviously is going to be a bit pricey for a 3.0 Hilux. Maybe consider a 2.0-litre turbo VW Amarok, as that will bring down your annual motor tax bill considerably. 

Read this for more: Buying a commercial vehicle for private use

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Hi Thomas,

Well, APR isn’t actually charged on motor tax, but you will pay extra if you’re paying by the quarter — which is, I guess, a form of interest one way or another. The rate for a 3.5-litre car on the old engine capacity system is €511 per quarter, so you’re paying an extra €235 overall.