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 Joseph,

You certainly can. The Xpeng G6 is on the NTA's list of approved vehicles.

Expert answer

Hi Edward,

That's not so easy to answer definitively, but I suspect the Toyota could be a little cheaper to run. It does depend of course on which version – and year – XC70 you have. The latest GR Yaris costs €790 a year to tax, for your reference.

Unless you're doing track days, wear and tear in the Yaris should be no more than it is in the Volvo and with a new-car warranty you're isolated from high-value maintenance costs for a few years in any case.

The big unknown is insurance, but only you can determine that by ringing around and getting quotes.

We'd be interested in the outcome if you want to drop us a line after.

Expert answer

Hi John,

Not all cars are on the Revenue VRT website, unfortunately, so you may have to estimate the car's value in Ireland (i.e. what it might sell for here after importation). Revenue calls that the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) and it bases its VRT calculations on that and the VRT band the car sits in due to its official CO₂ emissions rating.

On top of that, you will have to pay import duty and VAT and the NOx levy.

I suggest you have a read of these guides, as the same applies to cars coming from Japan:

How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland?
Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained
Guide To Importing Cars From The UK

And this: Guide to buying Japanese imports

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

The older one is taxed according to its engine size (and at that it must be the 1.8-litre engine), while the newer is taxed according to its CO₂ emissions rating. The rules changes in 2008.

See our Motor Road Tax Prices In Ireland Explained guide for more.

Expert answer

Hi Aidan,

With CO₂ emissions of just 85g/km, the Aygo X hybrid costs only €160 a year to tax.

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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 John,

The Leapmotor B10 could be a suitable choice as a taxi as it has quite good levels of rear passenger headroom and legroom, while still retaining a useful 525 litres of boot space.

The 67.1kWh capacity battery is capable of 434 kilometres of range, and we found it to be quite close to the official energy consumption when we drove it.

Also, being an LFP battery, it is happier to be charged to 100 per cent regularly. Speaking of charging, it has a peak DC charge rate of 168kW, so 25-30 minutes will add an almost full recharge, though obviously charging up at home would be more affordable.

We did find the driver assistance features to be overbearing, but Leapmotor does provide a way of creating shortcuts to mute these, but it must be done every time the car is turned on.

Expert answer

Hi there,

As the car you're looking at has been in use all its life in the North - and I presume you can prove that - then there should not be any import duty or VAT payable on its importation south of the border. You will have to pay VRT of course. 

Always check your facts directly with Revenue before committing to a purchase.

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.