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

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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.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Advisor
@neilmbriscoe