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Hi Mary,

So long as you don't alter the seating capacity or interior in any way that might suggest the van is used for passengers, it shouldn't make any difference to the classification of the vehicle. It might be worth informing your insurer as it's a modification.

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Hi Dilan,

The lower CO₂ rating of that earlier car was according to the old “NEDC” standard. Any cars imported since 2021 with an NEDC-standard CO₂ figure (as this Jap import would have had) would have had the number 'uplifted' by Revenue to make it comparable to the newer WLTP standard. It was trying to reduce the number of older, more polluting diesels being imported, but it just means that people may more motor tax at times, even if the cars are identical to those already registered in Ireland.

Of course, a Japanese model's CO₂ figure could be a little different on top of all that.

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Hi Phil,

If the car is registered in Northern Ireland already then you can just bring it over to any other part of the UK without a problem. There will be no taxes or charges other than transporting it. 

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Hi Danny,

While it sounds like the car shouldn't attract VAT or import duty (you'll need to prove it was used in Northern Ireland), all passenger cars being imported are subject to VRT and the NOx levy. If it's a commercial, there is no NOx levy, but there would still be VRT, calculated differently. Revenue has quite a strict definition of what a commercial SUV is though, so make sure you know what you're doing before you make that move.

Read our How Much VRT Is Paid In Ireland? guide for more information

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Hi Bernard,

I can confirm that, if you tax a commercial vehicle privately as described here, the rate is determined by the engine size, so, for an engine of 1,901-2,000cc, the rate is indeed €710 a year.

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Hi Michael,

If it's being used solely for business use then it can be taxed as a commercial for €333 per year. However, if it's for any private use whatsoever then it needs to be taxed privately. The rate is then determined by the van's engine size, no matter how new it is. 

Hence, for a van with an engine of 1,501-1,600cc, the annual motor tax is €514.

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Hi Conor, 

The information you've provided suggests that the Premium SV model emits 81-100g/km, while the SV emits 121-130g/km. It sounds to us like you're comparing cars with different engines completely.

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Hi Patrick,

This is quite a unique situation so I'd suggest the best thing to do is talk to Revenue. My feeling is that you should be fine so long as your permanent place of residence has been the UK, regardless of your business interests in Ireland. You'll just need paperwork to show that.

The complication with transferring the vehicles to your partner is that they must be owned for at least six months before the move, so if you're not moving back for a while it's a possible option. Make sure you read all the rules carefully though.

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Hi Denis,

Regardless of its year, as the Hilux is a commercial vehicle, if you want to tax it for private use, then it's according to its engine size. If you are using it for a business then it can be taxed as a commercial.

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Hi Jurgen,

According to our figures, your car's CO₂ emissions (it's a 2015 Audi A4 saloon 1.8 petrol) are in the 156-170g/km range according to the old NEDC system. 

For such cars, registered before January 2021, the tax band is D, costing €600 a year. 

A car registered after that date with a WLTP rating of 151-160g/km would cost €280 a year and the €400 rate you mentioned is for cars with an emissions rating of 141-155g/km so perhaps the dealer was mistaken.