Looking to buy a van for private use...

I'm looking at buying a Ford Transit Connect LWB 1.5L (2018-2020 ish). I'm going to be using it privately, travelling Ireland with boards and camping stuff in the back. I'm unsure of how to go about taxing and insuring it privately. I'm getting quotes at the moment but it's looking more complicated than I had anticipated.

Few questions here:

1. Do I need to do anything to switch the van from commercial to private use? I've heard about possible VRT, but I can't seem to find any info online about that apart from imported vehicles.

2. Is taxing and insuring as straightforward as doing so with a regular car? I'm aware that AXA who I’m currently with for a car won't privately insure me in a van so I'm checking with insuremyvan.ie

3. CVRT - I know it's more expensive than NCT and is yearly, but is this as simple to get done?

4. Are there any other problems that I might run into if I do buy a van to use privately? I'm pretty clueless on how any of this works.

Rebekah Steele (Bray)

Jun 2024 Filed under: commercial vehicle

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Expert answer

Hi Rebekah,

1: You'll need to inform your local motor tax office of the change of use of the vehicle. VRT is only paid the first time a vehicle is registered in Ireland so don't worry about that. Your annual motor tax rate will be different to the fixed commercial vehicle tax, however. It will be calculated based on the engine size. The table of prices is the top one in our Motor Tax Prices in Ireland Explained guide.

2: Taxing is straightforward, as above. Insuring a van for private use can be trickier so take your time and shop around on that before you commit to buying the vehicle.

3: Correct, it's no more complicated, really, and a modern van like you're looking at should sail through for many years.

For further reading check out Buying a van for private use on our van website, CompleteVan.ie.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor
@Shane_O_D