NCT test for privately taxed van?
If I tax a van privately, which test applies, NCT or commercial vehicle test?
Martin from Carlow
Martin Smith (Carlow)Dec 2020 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
The van still needs to go through the CVRT, not the NCT.
Should I stick with BMW diesel for now?
I drive 65,000km a year, mostly to Dublin, Cork and Galway and Dublin Airport. I have owned four 520d M Sports and on average get 40mpg. I am changing again and very interested in hybrid and considering a 530e M Sport with 26,000km on it. I change the car about every 15 months as I do high mileage and would like to go greener but running costs are my main concern. Currently I get the VAT back on diesel as I am VAT registered. I'm conscious that we will eventually have to go this way and wondering should I make that move now. What do you think?
Howard Simpson (Ballymoe)Dec 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Howard,
If I were you, I'd stick with diesel for now. Assuming that, with such high mileage, you won't have time to plug the car in to charge it up regularly, the 530e won't get near the 520d's average economy. Once the battery charge is used up, you're effectively driving a heavy petrol car. The fact you're VAT-registered and can claim back the VAT on the diesel is another reason to stick with it for now.
Yes, electrification is coming to all cars, but we don't believe it suits all motorists just yet. The beauty of you changing your car every 15 months is that you can react quite quickly to changes in taxation and new model launches.
Will my BMW 220i's tax change in 2021?
Hi,
I'm considering buying a car in the UK. It is a BMW 220i and has a 1,998cc engine. I would hope to have it registered in Ireland before the end of Dec 2020. I understand that the motor tax on higher-emitting engines is going to change from 2021, but is it likely that the tax on this car would be increased greatly?
Thank you for your assistance.
Mary
Mary Newe (Dublin)Dec 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
If you do manage to get it registered before the end of this month (if you've not already got a VRT appointment, I'm afraid to tell you that you are unlikely to now) then your car will be taxed on its NEDC CO2 rating, which I believe is 127g/km. That means €270 per annum now and no change for 2021. These guides might be of interest:
About to buy a Nissan X-Trail van...
Hi there,
I am about to purchase a Nissan X-Trail 1.6 two-seat diesel van for private use. What will the annual motor tax be and what mpg should I expect?
Eddie HOWLEY (KILKENNY)Dec 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Eddie,
If you tax a commercial vehicle for private use then it goes by its engine size, regardless of how new it is. The X-Trail's engine is a 1,598cc unit so it costs €514 a year to tax privately. Read more in our Buying a commercial vehicle for private use feature.
As for the X-Trail's economy, it will depend more on how and where you drive it than anything else. The 1.6 diesel car, which is heavier than the van, officially returned about 56mpg. We'd expect you to match that at a 100km/h cruise and maybe average closer to 40mpg unladen for general use.
How to change tax status of a Land Rover?
Hi,
I'm considering buying a secondhand Land Rover within Ireland that has been classed as commercial for tax purposes by the current owner. However, I'd like to use and tax it for private use, which I think can be done by paying the higher rate of tax after purchase. However, I'm a bit stumped as to how to do it! The Revenue forms to change the class of taxation say I should have insurance in order to request a change in the tax class. However I am unable to get insurance for a commercial vehicle in my name. It seems without the insurance I can't change the tax class but I am unable to get insurance based on the current tax class the car is registered in.
Seems a bit of a catch-22, can you help?
Thanks!
Sheila Hopkins (Lifford)Dec 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Sheila,
Well, in theory the only thing you need to do to change the tax status of a car is to call your local motor tax office and tell them that’s what you want to do. As far as insurance is concerned, I think it would be a good idea to have a chat will a well-connected broker, who might be better placed to help you out. You might be able to find a policy that will allow you to insure the Land Rover as a private car even before it has been officially switched over, or possibly one that starts as a commercial policy but changes over once you’ve got the conversion.
Can I tax a Ford Connect privately?
I have just bought a Ford Connect. I am a PAYE electrician. Can I tax the van privately or commercially and have my wife as a second driver?
Seamus Ó Sullivan (Killarney)Dec 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Seamus,
If you're going to use the van for any private reason at all then it will have to be taxed privately. The rate then goes by the old engine size system, regardless of the age of the van.
Read our Buying a commercial vehicle for private use feature for more details.
Private motor tax on new Ford Ranger?
Hi,
Could you give me a price to privately tax a 2020 2.0-litre Ford Ranger Wildtrak?
Thanks
Michael Waters (Enniscorthy)Dec 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
To tax a commercial vehicle privately the rate goes by the engine size, even for a 2020 model. With a 1,996cc engine, that Ranger will cost you €710 per annum.
How much to tax a 1.6 Caddy privately?
How much is it to tax a 1.6 Caddy privately?
Martin Dillon (Galway)Nov 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
To tax a commercial vehicle privately, it goes by the old engine size categorisation, regardless of age. Hence, the 1.6 Caddy would cost €514 per annum.
See Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained for more.
Can I buy a VW Transporter in 2021?
I would like to buy a Volkswagen Transporter in 2021. I do not have business or VAT numbers. I know I can insure it privately, but can I tax it privately and if so for roughly what money?
Fiona Moran (DUBLIN)Nov 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Fiona,
It's easy to tax it privately, as well. You just need to inform your local Motor Tax Office of the change of category. The price is then based on the engine size. Assuming it has a 1,968cc engine, then that'll set you back €710 per annum. Read Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained for more.
Is a converted camper cheap to tax?
Hi there,
I'm moving back to Ireland from UK with a 2006 VW Caravelle. I'm currently converting it to a campervan. Once it is converted would it then qualify to pay low motor road tax like the VW California? This is my only vehicle.
Many thanks!
Catherine Ireton (Falmer, Brighton)Nov 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
Yes, it will do as long as you get the conversion done before you import the car. Camper vans pay the same 13.3 per cent of Irish market value in VRT as regular vans, which is helpful, but you will need to make sure that your Caravelle is signed off by a ’suitably qualified individual.’ In other words, if you’ve done the work yourself, you may need to get it inspected and approved by an official authority (a vehicle assessor who can check that it conforms to DVLA standards, for example) and make sure you have that paperwork with you when processing the import. Assuming that it passes muster in this regard, you’ll also qualify for cheap road tax — just €102 per annum for a camper van, regardless of size.
However, you do say that you’re ‘moving back to Ireland’ from the UK and bringing the car with you. That could mean that you’re exempt from paying any VRT, once you can show proof of ownership (tax and insurance) for at least six months, as well as proof of change of address. Have a look at the Revenue.ie page here.