Expert answer

Hi Gerard,

If the car is on the CO₂ taxation system that came into force in 2008 then we'd need to know a lot more than just its engine size to help you. If it's on the old, by-engine-capacity, system, then it depends on the precise engine capacity: 1,501-1,600cc is €514 a year, while 1,601-1,700cc is €544 a year.

Read our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature for full details.

Expert answer

Hi Colin,

When you tax a commercial vehicle as a private car you revert to the old engine capacity tax system, so with a 1.6-litre engine that’ll be €514 per year.

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Hi Naomi,

Quick question — are you sure it’s a 2.0-litre? Only most Santa Fes since 2006 have had a 2.2-litre diesel engine. If it is indeed a 2.0-litre, then taxing it as a private vehicle will set you back €710. If it does turn out to have a 2.2 then that’s going to be €951.

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Hi Martina,

When you say ‘changing’ do you mean trading-in, or having your existing van converted? If you’re trading in, then we’d have to know the make and model of the van you’re interested in buying to tell you the VRT charge. If you’re converting your existing van to a crew cab, then there’s no change unless you decide to tax it as a private vehicle. Keep it as a commercial and you’ll pay the same €333 in annual motor tax.

If you want to change it to private vehicle tax (so that you can use it for anything other than strictly work use) then, assuming it’s the 1.9 dCi engine, it’ll cost you €673 in annual motor tax. There’s no VRT charge if you already own the vehicle — that only applies to new purchases or to vehicles being imported for the first time. 

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Hi Bill,

Technically, and strictly legally speaking, yes you do I’m afraid. It’s an offence to drive a car on the public road in Ireland or the UK without having paid motor tax. You could be fined £80 on the spot in the UK, and potentially have to pay as much as £1,000 if the case went to court. All in all, it’s just not worth the risk.

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Hi James,

Assuming that it has the 1.6 TDI engine, it’ll be €514 a year, as you revert to the old engine-capacity system when you tax a commercial vehicle as a private car. 

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Hi Kevin,

It goes by engine size if you privately tax a commercial vehicle, so the motor tax on that would be €514 per year.

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Hi Shane,

No, not just yet. The new NOx tax (which could add a significant amount of extra cost to importing a car, especially an older one like that 2014 Focus) won’t take effect until the New Year. It will be applied to all new cars and imports from Jan 1st. 

Expert answer

Hi Ultan,

When you tax a commercial vehicle as a private car, it means you revert to the old by-engine-capacity tax system, so with a 2.5-litre engine, a 2014 L200 is going to cost you €1,080 a year in road tax.

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

Different versions of the same car can have different equipment levels, which can affect the weight of the vehicle and therefore its emissions. Equally, different model years can have different engine specifications (even if the basic bones of the engine are the same), which can affect the CO₂ rating. Or, of course, one could have a manual gearbox and one an automatic, which can have a major effect on the CO₂ levels.