Expert answer

Hi John,

I drove the 3.0-litre diesel Quattroporte when it was launched in 2015 (read the full review here) and really liked it. Note that we compared it with cars in the class above the E-Class at the time. There's no doubt that it was a lovely car when new and it's certainly a change from the default options.

However, with our sensible hats on, we'd be slow to recommend you make a change from a known quantity such as the E-Class to an older car, especially as the nearest Maserati dealership is in Belfast. 

Some owners report no issues with their Quattroporte, but others have had no end of expensive and annoying faults and for that reason we'd probably steer clear.

If you are still tempted, go have a test drive and get it inspected by an expert. Also, ask to see full details of all work done on the car since new and look for anything unusual - plus you want evidence of a full service history.

Best of luck - do let us know what you decide to do.

Expert answer

Hi John,

We really can’t comment with any accuracy on a specific car, sight unseen. However… the charitable answer could be that the 1.6 TDI diesel is rather unfashionable, especially in a car as small as the A1 (the 1.0 TSI petrol engine was always the better seller), so it could be that the previous owners decided that diesel wasn’t for them and the dealership has since struggled to move it on.

That said, we’d tread carefully. Have you gotten an independent history check through the likes of Cartell.ie? It might also be worth getting an AA Inspection, which will go through the car with a fine toothcomb and find anything that’s wrong. In theory, buying a car that’s been idle shouldn’t present a major problem, but we always work to the rule that mechanical devices are at their best when used, and regularly serviced, rather than left to sit. 

Expert answer

Hi David,

The actual process of changing the tax status on a van from commercial to private use is relatively straightforward — you simply ring up your local motor tax office (you’ll find your nearest one here: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/1fc151-find-your-local-motor-tax-office/) and tell them what you want to do. They’ll then shift you onto the old engine capacity-based tax system (you’ll pay €710 a year for a 2.0-litre engine) and the job’s done.

Except it isn’t, quite. You will need proof of insurance first, and insurers are — for some reason — reluctant to switch policies over. It’s worth finding a good local broker to help you get the insurance sorted out first of all. 

Read Buying a commercial vehicle for private use for more info.

Expert answer

Hi Frank,

The process of taxing it is relatively straightforward — just ring up your local motor tax office (list here: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/1fc151-find-your-local-motor-tax-office/) and ask them to switch you over. The problem is twofold — with a 3.0-litre Range Rover Sport, you’re going to be paying the second-highest rate of motor tax (€1,494 per year) because a commercial re-registered for private use is taxed on the old engine capacity-based tax system. Insurance can also be a major issue — it shouldn’t be, but it is, so get hold of a good local broker to help you navigate those waters before you take the leap. 

Read Buying a commercial vehicle for private use for more information.

Expert answer

Hi Ann,

Taxing a van privately is easy. You just need to inform your local motor tax office that you are changing its use. You'll probably pay more in annual motor tax, as it goes by the engine size.

Insuring a commercial vehicle privately is not so easy, annoyingly. We advise you employ the services of a good broker to find you an insurer, as most of the large insurers will just give you the "computer says no" answer...

Give our Buying a commercial vehicle for private use feature a read too.

Expert answer

Hi Paul,

In theory, all crew-cab vans fall into Category B for VRT purposes, which Revenue defines as: "commercial vehicles, designed and constructed for the carriage of goods and not exceeding 3.5 tonnes. These vehicles are European category N1 and generally have three seats or less. VRT Category B also includes motor caravans.”

In Category B, you’ll be charged 13.3 per cent of the OMSP, the Irish market selling price as defined by Revenue. There are some vans that fall into a slightly different category, and are charged a flat rate of €200, but these are vans that (a) always had less than four seats and (b) have at any time a laden mass greater than 130% of the mass in service. You should be able to find out which category your Vito fits into by quoting the VIN number when booking your VRT inspection.

Expert answer

Hi Jess,

It's comforting that so many expensive components have already been replaced. If the car has been properly serviced throughout its life, then we'd hope it'll do you good service for a while yet. Of course, with this level of mileage, you should expect it to be considerably cheaper than a low-mileage car. 

Expert answer

Hi George,

Taxing it privately is an easy one - anybody can do that. Insuring it privately may be more difficult, so make sure you ring a few insurers to get an answer on that. If you're having no joy then consider employing the services of an independent broker.

Expert answer

Hi Gerard,

Expert answer

Hi Aidan,

Well, generally speaking, vans fall into one of two categories for VRT. Most will be charged 13.3 per cent of the Irish open market selling price (OMSP), which in the case of a 2014 Transporter is likely to be in the region of €13,000. So 13.3 per cent of that is €1,279 and that should be your VRT cost, more or less.

Of course, there’s a chance that your Transporter of choice will fall into the second category, which gets charged a flat-rate of €200 if, says Revenue, “it always had less than four seats and at any time a laden mass greater than 130 per cent of the mass in service.”