A Toyota a replace my Skoda Superb with?
Hi,
I currently have a Skoda Superb estate, which I find handy for the occasional bulky load. I was thinking of probably changing it for a similar model (having daydreamed of more exotic cars like a Ford Raptor - I'm just not willing to pay the annual road tax). However, there is a view out there that the most reliable cars are Toyotas. Is there a Toyota that would come close to to the Superb estate in terms of load capacity?
Thanks
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Aug 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Well, you’re right about Toyotas being reliable. In fact, if reliability is your ultimate goal, then Toyota, Honda and Subaru are usually your safest bets. That said, Skoda is rarely that far behind the big Japanese names in reliability terms, and often is the best-performing European marque in that regard. In terms of load capacity, the answer is almost, but not quite. The roomiest boot in the in the Toyota range right now belongs to the Corolla Touring Sports estate. Now, this is one of our favourite cars right now — good looking, good to drive and with a seriously frugal and future-proofed hybrid engine, but with a 598-litre boot, it’s some 62 litres short of the Superb Combi. Still worth considering though, as, if you can live without the extra litres in the back, then it’s a more cost-effective purchase than the Skoda.
Another alternative is the new RAV4 Hybrid. Again, this is smaller than the Superb in the back — 580 litres when loaded up to the windows — but the boot is big and square, and again the hybrid engine is frugal and it’s got reliability on its side.
Worth remembering though that Skoda is refreshing the Superb this year (order books are open now for delivery later in the year) and there will be a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid in fact, this time around, so it might be worth waiting for that before making a final decision.
Relevant reviews:
Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid Touring Sports estate (2019) review
How much to tax a motorbike?
So... how is motorcycle tax worked out in 2019?
NEIL ATKINSON (FOXFORD)Aug 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Neil,
Bikes are taxed according to their engine capaciity. The current rates go like this: €49 for 0-75cc; €67 for 76-200cc; and €88 for 201-9,999cc. I really want to find the person who’s taxing a 9,999cc bike… Electric bikes are taxed on a flat rate of €35 a year.
Economical auto and reliable for €6,000?
Hi there,
Could you recommend something for us around €6k that's economical, cheap to tax and reliable? We don't have a clue what to buy; it just needs reasonable room for two plus a child. Just to make things more challenging it needs to be automatic. Any directions you could point us in would be much appreciated!
John Smith (FOXFORD)Aug 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
OK, that’s a slightly tough set of criteria, but I think we’ve found some winners. How about a Honda Insight Hybrid? Ultra-low CO2 means ultra-low tax, it’s auto, Hondas run for ever, it’ll do 50mpg easy and there’s just about enough space for a family of three. Your budget gets you a 2010 model.
If you need something smaller, there are automatic Nissan Micras around for that sort of money, but you might find them a bit small for the wee one. Fancy something posh? You could try a 2010 Mercedes C 180 Estate, which we found, but the tax on that will be a bit higher. Something newer? A Skoda Fabia Combi estate from 2012? Reliable and tonnes of space in the boot. Cracking car.
Motor tax on 2008 Mazda6?
Please advise on cost of motor tax for an 08 Mazda6 petrol 1.8?
Noreen Tiernan (FOXFORD)Aug 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
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.
Can I buy a commercial for private use?
I want to buy a 3.0-litre Toyota Hilux or Mitsubishi L200 vehicle, for the purpose of transporting horse and ponies by horsebox. I have a herd number as I am the owner of several equines and have my premises registered. Can I buy the above models, as commercial vehicles, but get private motor tax and insurance on them, as I do not have a business or trade and am using the vehicle for recreational use? I can't seem to get any answers or details from tax office.
Thanks.
Jane, Co. Galway
Jacinta MCarthy (Galway)Aug 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
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
How much extra to pay tax quarterly?
A 3.5-litre car has a road tax of €1,809. How much does it cost if it is paid every quarter? And what is the APR?
Sincerely
Tom
Thomas Hughes (Dublin )Aug 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
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.
Why has the BMW X5 road tax of just €333?
Why has the BMW X5 road tax of just €333?
Janos Balazs (Kildare)Aug 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Janos,
It doesn’t. At least not normally. A conventional, passenger X5 has motor tax of €570 a year (assuming it's the xDrive30d model with CO2 emissions of 158g/km). If it has tax of €333 according to a seller, then that means it’s been converted to a commercial vehicle, and can only be used as such. X5s can be converted to five-seat commercials (under the older, pre-July 2019 tax regulations), but in many cases a €333 tax figure may mean that it’s only a two-seater. And, legally, it cannot be used for personal or family use if it’s taxed as a commercial.
Why German plates on some Irish cars?
Why do some cars have German car tax on their plates as well as having Irish car tax disks at the same time?
Brian Pope (Kildare)Jul 2019 Filed under: registration
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
Look closer and you’ll probably see that these are most likely Irish number plates that have been printed in the style of German plates. Some owners of German-built cars do this as an aesthetic thing. It’s totally illegal by the way. “Using vehicle in a public place that has been modified or altered such that authorisation plate is inaccurate” gets you three penalty points.
Can I privately run a commercial car van?
Your article on Commercial Vehicles for private use focuses on large commercial vehicles. In my case, I'm just looking for a very inexpensive car e.g. a 2017 SEAT Ibiza with the back seats removed that is currently classified as a Commercial Vehicle and taxed and registered as such. However, I'm wondering if I could insure, tax and register it as a private vehicle? What would I have to do in order to do so?
Thanks, Maria
Maria De Souza (Dublin)Jul 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Maria,
Basically the same rules apply irrespective of the vehicle itself. If it’s currently registered and taxed as a commercial, then you can indeed tax it as a private vehicle. To do that, you revert to the old by-engine-capacity tax system, which might be bad news depending on which version of the Ibiza we’re talking about. If it has a 1.2-litre engine, you’re fine — you’ll actually pay the same €330 rate as if it were a commercial. If it’s a 1.4, though, then you’ll have to pay €385.
How much to tax a 2.0-litre hybrid?
What road tax would I pay if I buy a 2.0-litre hybrid saloon car?
Thank you
Margaret Drohan (Waterford)Jul 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Margaret,
It depends entirely precisely which 2.0-litre hybrid saloon you’re talking about, as the tax system is based on the CO2 emissions of the vehicle concerned. That said, if memory serves, the only 2.0-litre hybrid saloon currently on sale is the Ford Mondeo Hybrid. That has CO2 emissions that range from 126g/km to 140g/km (depending on what equipment is fitted) so you’ll pay between €270 and €280 a year in motor tax.