Does a private buyer pay VAT on a van?
I put down a deposit on a Ford Transit van, I am retired and will only use this van for private use. Do I have to pay VAT? I am not registered for VAT and do not have a business. Can I get the van registration changed for private use?
Brian Blackmore (Tournafulla Co Limerick)Jan 2021 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
You will have to pay the VAT I’m afraid. In fact, you’d have to pay it as a commercial buyer as well, but you could of course reclaim it then subsequently. As a private buyer, you just have to pay it, unfortunately. For using a commercial as a private car, you have to let your local motor tax office know that you’re doing so, and you’ll then pay tax based on the size of the engine, not the CO2 emissions figure. Getting private insurance for a commercial vehicle can be tricky, so shop around carefully or get in touch with a good broker before you commit.
Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Advisor@neilmbriscoe