Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

Yes you can get the VRT back. That’s a maximum of €5,000 though, not a flat-rate rebate. So if your car is liable for, say, €3,000 worth of VRT, then that’s what you’ll get back. 

The SEAI grant is a little trickier. According to the official information, you’re quite right — the dealer applies for the grant. However, the SEAI does state that: "A maximum grant of €5,000 is available for qualifying new electric vehicles when purchased privately.”

Obviously, you’d have to make sure that you fall between the minimum €14,000 price and the maximum €60,000 price, but in theory there’s nothing to stop you applying for the grant privately.

Why not try your luck by emailing [email protected]?

Expert answer

Hi David,

There are no major reported problems with the Q7 e-tron, and Audis in general tend to have very high levels of both quality and reliability. That said, as it’s a plug-in hybrid, check and see how much running it has done on electric. If the previous owners were especially conscientious about plugging it in and running on the battery, that could mean that the engine hasn’t actually been run very much, and that can lead to niggling reliability issues down the line. Sounds odd, but it’s true — regular, gentle running is best for long-term engine life.

Other than that, make sure that all the electric and electronic systems are all working as they should, as these are complex vehicles and difficult and expensive to put right if they develop problems. 

Expert answer

Hi Vlad,

I'm afraid so in most circumstances. The only exception will be a car predominantly made in the UK. Double-check with Revenue of course.

Expert answer

Hi Tom,

Apparently it's quite easy to tax a commercial vehicle as a private one, simply by informing your local motor tax office. Beware, however, of the challenge of insuring the vehicle, as many readers have told us that is a big issue for private drivers.

Expert answer

Hi Jim,

When you’re importing a car into Ireland, according to Revenue, the VAT calculation is made on the ‘customs value’ of the car. This is defined as “The purchase price, plus the cost of transport and insurance, plus any customs duties payable.” It’s charged at 23 per cent, incidentally. 

However, you say you want to import “our” Mercedes? Does that mean you’re moving to Ireland and bringing your car with you? If so, you may be exempt from paying both VRT and VAT. If you have owned the car for longer than six months, and can show proof of motor tax at your previous address for at least that period, plus can document your move to Ireland, you should be able to skip both payments.

Expert answer

Hi Gavin,

It can be tricky, as some insurers — and we don’t know why, but Irish insurance and insurers are never less than needlessly awkward — seem less than keen to insure a commercial vehicle as a private car. Your best bet is usually to find a good, local broker who might be able to help you navigate the insurance waters a little more easily. 

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

The answer is yes — kind of. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is currently going through a public consultation on this very process, and it hopes to start rolling out the first grants to support apartment-block chargers by October of this year.

The plan, as it currently stands, has two levels — a grant of between 50-80 per cent for landlords, management companies and other apartment block owners who want to invest in the wiring and infrastructural installation for charging points, and a second level that gives the same €600 grant to private residents who want to install a charger, where possible. The SEAI is currently seeking public submissions on the plan, so head over to the SEAI website if you’d like to get your views across. 

Expert answer

Hi Alex,

The good news is, you shouldn’t have to pay anything. As long as you can show proof of ownership for at least six months prior to your move, at your previous address, and can show documentation confirming your move to Ireland, you should be exempt from both VRT and VAT.

You can find more details on the Revenue website.

With regards to motor tax for your diesel, it depends when it was registered and, assuming it's post-2008, what its CO₂ emissions rating is. Read our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature for full details.

Expert answer

Hi Brigitta,

OK, this is going to get expensive. For a start, that 272g/km CO₂ rating means you’re going to be paying the top rate of both VRT and motor tax. That’s going to be €2,350 a year for motor tax. As for VRT, well it’ll be 37 per cent of whatever Revenue thinks a year-old Challenger (awesome, awesome car by the way…) is worth.

My best guess is that they’ll benchmark it against a V8 Mustang, which sells, new, for €69,818 here in Ireland. Take off a year’s depreciation, and they’ll probably peg that at around €55,000. Maybe. So 37 per cent of €55,000 is going to be €20,350, but I’ll be honest; that’s just my totally unscientific best guess.

Then you’ll pay 23 per cent VAT on top, which will be charged on the customs cost — that’s the price you paid, plus shipping, plus customs duty (which is ten per cent, usually), so at minimum that’s going to be around €8-9,000.

Expert answer

Hi Bryan,

OK, in general, yes you should be exempt from VRT when importing a vehicle from Australia if it’s a transfer of residence, but you will have to show proof of ’normal residence abroad’ — basically household bills and bank accounts in your name — plus the original receipts and bills of sale for the Amarok.

You may also be able to skip paying VAT, if you can prove residence outside of the EU for more than 12 months, but you will have a lot of forms to fill out — head over to this page on Revenue.ie to get started…