Will my van fail its retest?
My van is going for retest, after track rod end and headlight sorted, but the ABS light has just come on: will it fail the retest?
Tony Knox (Ballina)Aug 2020 Filed under: brakes
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
As far as we are aware, only the items that failed the van in the first test will be re-checked, though of course, if a tester notices the ABS light, it might fail on that. And at the end of the day, the van's roadworthiness is your responsibility, so you really should get the ABS sorted, regardless of passing the test.
I want to buy a van for personal use...
I want to buy a 2.0-litre van (commercial), but I'm not able to pay €333. And I don't want this. Two questions:
1 - Will I pay €710 (private car standard) no matter which year the vanwas made?
2 - Can I change, if I buy, to NCT test centre from CVRT, even if the car is a van? Are there some procedures/forms for this or what?
Thank you!
Gelu Rusu (Malin Head)Aug 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Gelu,
Yes and no. Yes, you can tax it as a private vehicle and the year doesn’t really matter. No, you can’t get it tested under NCT regs — as far as the NCT are and always will be concerned, it’s a van, so it needs an annual CVRT test.
Is my Transit tax rate correct?
Hi,
I wonder if you can shed some light on this for me. So I have a Ford Transit crew cab and I have had to get it insured as a private vehicle with social domestic and pleasure cover. I have had to take it for a test as a commercial vehicle, it has a 2,198cc engine with emissions of 197g/km. I have gone to tax the vehicle and been charged €1,200, which is the CO2 emission rate, but according to your information given, if it’s a commercial vehicle being taxed privately the charge reverts back to the engine size, which is as mentioned above 2,198cc and a charge of €958 should have been implemented. Is your information correct and do Revenue owe me the difference?
Thanks for taking the time to read this,
Kevin Farrer
Foxford, Co Mayo
Kevin Farrer (Foxford)Aug 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
Yes, I would definitely query that with the motor tax office — in theory, when you use a commercial vehicle for private use it reverts to the old by-engine-capacity tax system, so you should not be paying the CO2 rate. Call and ask them to double-check that and you may be refunded the difference.
Can I get my full NCT done now?
When will the NCT issue appointments for under-car inspections that could not be completed due to their scissor lift fiasco?
Phil Singleton (Kanturk )Aug 2020 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Phil,
According to the NCTS, all of its centres (bar those in Kildare right now because of Covid restrictions) are open and running fully, so you should make a new appointment to have that under-vehicle inspection carried out. If the car has done more than 5,000km since the original inspection, you’ll need to have a brake test and suspension test done as well, but these will all be free of charge.
Best hybrid SUV for three teens in back?
Need to replace a very reliable 12-year-old Toyota Corolla Verso that was bought to accommodate three child seats. Mostly city driving, only 100k on said Verso. Now looking at a hybrid SUV, which would need to fit three teens. Any tips on best SUVs with space in rear seats?
Fidelma O'Reilly (Dublin)Aug 2020 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Fidelma,
A Skoda Kodiaq would be a very good bet — lots of space in the rear seat, plus the option of extra seats in the boot (although those ones are a bit tight for teens), but there’s no hybrid version as yet. Its close cousin, the SEAT Tarraco, will soon be offered as a hybrid, while the new Volkswagen Tiguan arrives next summer.
The Toyota RAV4 is pretty roomy, but there’s no seven-seat option and you might find the rear bench a little narrow for three teens side-by-side. The best thing to do is bring them on the test drive and see if they all fit comfortably.
Peugeot’s 3008 plug-in hybrid could also be worth a look, although you might be better off waiting for the larger 5008 version using the same powertrain. Toyota will be launching its new Highlander seven-seat hybrid SUV in early 2021, but that might be too far away for you.
It all depends on how much you want to spend, as there are hybrid versions of the BMW X3 and X5, plus the Volvo XC60 and XC90. Come back to us with your budget if you want more specific advice.
Three child seats into a Hyundai Tucson?
Hi,
Just wondering is it possible to fit three car seats in a Hyundai Tucson and if so what make car seats please?
Thank you
Laura Sinnott (Waterford )Jul 2020 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Laura,
It'll be difficult to get three child car seats into the back of a Tucson I'm afraid, as the rear seat just isn't wide enough. There may be particularly slim child seats out there that make it possible, but even so, our experience is that it's not an ideal set-up. Recommending specific child seats is outside our remit I'm afraid, as we don't habitually test various models of seat.
What to do about my Mazda RX-8 NCT?
Hi,
I have a Mazda RX-8, which was due a test at the start of April. I am wondering what the rules are as regards emission testing. As you probably know, they have a different type of engine and require two-stroke oil, which would leave emissions very high. Do I need to stop adding two-stroke oil before the test or are they not tested for emissions?
Thanks
Patrick
Patrick Sweeney (LETTERKENNY)Jun 2020 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
It’s a bit of a catch-22, adding two-stroke oil to your RX-8 rotary. In theory, it can help with delaying the onset of rotor tip wear, but the problem is that it will destroy your catalytic convertor and that means you definitely won’t pass the NCT. I wouldn’t recommend it. Much better merely to make sure that the engine is properly and regularly serviced, rather than trying any short cuts like two-stroke oil.
Do I have to alter an LCV to go private?
Are there any physical changes i.e. replacing missing seats for say NCT purposes in order to switch from crew cab to private? I presume the commercial tax test is the same as NCT?
Many thanks
Richard Spicer (Bray)Jun 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Richard,
There are no issues in terms of seats etc if you want to run a commercial vehicle as a private car — it’s simply a change in the rate of tax that you pay, and all you have to do is talk to your local motor tax office. You’ll be charged a tax rate based on the cubic capacity of the engine. As for the NCT, you’ll still have to get the vehicle tested on the Light Commercial Vehicle test, every year. Even if it’s taxed privately, it needs that rather than an NCT.
What makes a vehicle a commercial?
What makes a vehicle "commercial"? Is it the type of vehicle or the individual owner's use of it? For example, if I buy a car-van simply because the large boot suits me, but the previous owner used it commercially and taxed, insured and tested it accordingly, what do I have to do to ensure it's considered a private vehicle when I buy it (taxed and insured that way, subject to NCT instead of CRW)? Is there any VAT issue with a private buyer purchasing a used commercially vehicle?
Owen Doyle (Dublin)Jun 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Owen,
In terms of taxing a vehicle as a private car, there are no particular restrictions. All you have to do to tax a commercial vehicle as a private car is to let your local motor tax office know, and they’ll shift your tax to the old engine capacity system, instead of the flat-rate €333 annual commercial tax.
What makes a vehicle a ‘commercial’ is its original homologation (whether it’s classified as an N1 commercial vehicle, or an M1 passenger vehicle), but it’s entirely legitimate to tax an N1 commercial as a private car. However, even if you do so, it will still need to be tested, annually, under the Light Commercial Vehicle test, not the passenger car NCT. There’s no VAT issue in that you’ll pay the normal VAT rate when buying a commercial vehicle, but you won’t be able to claim back the VAT unless you’re using the vehicle for commercial purposes.
New Honda Civic or VW Golf?
Hi,
I'm currently looking at 1.5 petrol Honda Civic or 1.5 Volkswagen Golf. Which would be the better choice? Doing mostly motorway miles, 15,000 per year. Also which one would have more room in the back for two kids?
Thanks.
Gavin Moran (Dublin )Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Gavin,
In terms of roominess, there’s no contest — the Civic is the winner here, by a long chalk. Bigger in the boot, too. Actually, we really like the current edition of the Civic. In terms of exterior and interior design, the Golf is ahead, but the Civic is actually the sweeter of the two to drive, and being a Honda it will almost certainly never break. Go for the Civic.