What to do with my car?

cloneslad

Bought my car last august, it's a Peugeot 206 (2001) it recently passed the NCT and is valid until sept 2011. It is also insured until august and I have it taxed until the end of jan.

Anyway, I graduated from my masters last week but finished university in sept. Been applying for jobs ever since, long story short, couldn't get one.

I worked in Korea for 18months before doing my masters and the boss has asked me to come back, so I'm going to head out at the end of february. ( i will stay for 12months and come home again)

What will I do with my car? I figure it is pointless selling it, because it will be nice to have it for when I come home again and as I have already spent the money on it, it doesn't feel like I would be losing money by leaving it idle.

My brother is insured on it too, but has his own car although he would use it as a second car if I offered him it and he could let his wife use his (her mini cooper is northern reg and they are trying to offload it). Problem is he drives like a maniac and I don't want him to wreck it on me as I want it for when I come home.

I could prob leave it parked up somewhere in my girlfriends home as she has lots of space. (i'm guessing I would need someone to start it up regularly)

My g.f's sister would prob love the use of it too, she is only 18 though (has full license) but don't think she could afford to maintain it.

anyway, I have given some ideas about what I could do with it. What would be your advice to do? How could I insure it was in good condition for when I arrive home.

thanks for your help guys.

ARGINITE

I was in the same position about ten months ago, in the end I left the car with the parents. Since then they have taken care of it.

The only way to keep it in good working order for when you return is to get someone to use it every week.

May be your brother's wife could use the car instead of your brother?

cloneslad

I think she is as bad a driver as he is, judging by the front of his car with the massive dint and paint damage. I might just offer my brother the car for the year if he wants it and get him to get my dad insured on it. Shouldn't cost any extra to get me off the policy and put my dad on it. He doesn't drive, but he can drive, though not sure he would want the added expense of a car right now.

(I'm the named driver cos I only have provisional, wish they would get around to scheduling my test)

The-Game

If your Girlfriends sister has a part time job i cant imagine it being too expensive for her to maintain, with a full license and her being female insurance wont be astronomical and part time work will cover fuel and tax, its already NCT'd

Just dont break up with the girlfriend before you get it back!

pajo1981

Park it up and declare it off the road.

cloneslad

The-Game wrote: »

If your Girlfriends sister has a part time job i cant imagine it being too expensive for her to maintain, with a full license and her being female insurance wont be astronomical and part time work will cover fuel and tax, its already NCT'd

Just dont break up with the girlfriend before you get it back!

I have no intention of breaking up with her. been with her over 5 years now, she has had the best years of my life so she will now suffer through the worst

cloneslad

pajo1981 wrote: »

Park it up and declare it off the road.

Do you have to declare it off the road or will it just be presumed to be off the road if I don't tax it?

robbie_998

cloneslad wrote: »

Do you have to declare it off the road or will it just be presumed to be off the road if I don't tax it?

you can declare anytime you want but best declare it before you go

also i wouldn't actually choose that option cos leaving a car sitting around is really bad.

give it to someone to drive is probably the best option

even just give it to your dad or something to start up and drive around a bit every now and then

Pdfile

give it to a mate as a christmas present


always a good option for off loading things you don't need

cloneslad

Pdfile wrote: »

give it to a mate as a christmas present


always a good option for off loading things you don't need

yeah cos my friends deserve a car from me for christmas :rolleyes: I want it when I come back though

The-Game

cloneslad wrote: »

I have no intention of breaking up with her. been with her over 5 years now, she has had the best years of my life so she will now suffer through the worst

Good to know! :cool: Go with the Sister then, bound to score some extra brownie points too!

tudlytops

Found this advice on storing a car long term.

http://www.dccarcare.com/tipowk/tipowk15.html

Hope it helps

Midnight_EG

cloneslad wrote: »

Do you have to declare it off the road or will it just be presumed to be off the road if I don't tax it?

If you don't declare it you'll be liable for a years worth of tax as they'll presume you drove it taxless and have to pay it!

The-Game

Midnight_EG wrote: »

If you don't declare it you'll be liable for a years worth of tax as they'll presume you drove it taxless and have to pay it!

Which is not something you want to come home from after a year away, the revenue with their hands out!

tudlytops

Midnight_EG wrote: »

If you don't declare it you'll be liable for a years worth of tax as they'll presume you drove it taxless and have to pay it!

No you're not, provided the car hasn't been driven you just bring the renewal car tax form to your local Garda Station and get them to fill in the off the road section.

Midnight_EG

tudlytops wrote: »

No you're not, provided the car hasn't been driven you just bring the renewal car tax form to your local Garda Station and get them to fill in the off the road section.

And how do they know it hasn't been driven?


It's assumed to be driving if it isn't declared 'off the road'. Hence the revenue commission holding their hands out when OP comes home.

tudlytops

Midnight_EG wrote: »

And how do they know it hasn't been driven?


It's assumed to be driving if it isn't declared 'off the road'. Hence the revenue commission holding their hands out when OP comes home.

Nop, they ask you why it hasn't been driven, and in this case he can prof he was out the country.

I done it every year as i had a old classic that I only drove for about 3 month's of the year and have the form sigh by the guards every time.

Why do you think there is a section in the tax form for it.

The-Game

tudlytops wrote: »

Nop, they ask you why it hasn't been driven, and in this case he can prof he was out the country.

I done it every year as i had a old classic that I only drove for about 3 month's of the year and have the form sigh by the guards every time.

Why do you think there is a section in the tax form for it.

Yes but it is as easy to just do all this now before he leaves and have it organised.

cloneslad

thanks for arguing over me lads, it really is very flattering, even my g.f wouldn't argue with someone over me

I will have a work with the tax crowd when I go to tax it next month and they can tell me what they think.

I'm not leaving till about feb 22nd or so, but my tax is up at the end of january so I will have to tax it for three months even though it will only be on the road for three weeks

Midnight_EG

Can't you tax for a month?

cloneslad

Midnight_EG wrote: »

Can't you tax for a month?

I thought the minimum was 3 months. But I know nothing about cars and car related products.

/runs off to consult with google and find out

Midnight_EG

cloneslad wrote: »

I thought the minimum was 3 months. But I know nothing about cars and car related products.

/runs off to consult with google and find out

To be fair I've never had to tax my car, so I don't know the time constraints Checking now though.

Midnight_EG

Yay I was right

cloneslad

the site said I could back tax it for a month, but I don't want to be caught without tax and get a fine.

Can I just go to the tax office and tax it for the coming month rather than a month previous.

Midnight_EG

cloneslad wrote: »

the site said I could back tax it for a month, but I don't want to be caught without tax and get a fine.

Can I just go to the tax office and tax it for the coming month rather than a month previous.

From the information you've given, you only need to tax it for the month of February no?

cloneslad

yeah, only the month of february. it's taxed will end of january but I will be heading to dubai around the 22nd of feb or so.

Midnight_EG

cloneslad wrote: »

yeah, only the month of february. it's taxed will end of january but I will be heading to dubai around the 22nd of feb or so.

On the last day of your current tax go down to the tax office and get a months one so

cloneslad

thanks for the help. I'll do that and I will also find out what the story is for declaring the car off the road.

I think I will park it up in my girlfriends place and get her dad to keep it ticking over every week or so to make sure it's fine for when I come back.

Midnight_EG

cloneslad wrote: »

thanks for the help. I'll do that and I will also find out what the story is for declaring the car off the road.

I think I will park it up in my girlfriends place and get her dad to keep it ticking over every week or so to make sure it's fine for when I come back.

Go down to the guards and get some form that I can't remember the name of to declare it off the road, or if you're passing it on to someone for private use, make sure you change ownership or you're still liable for tax!

Esel

Midnight_EG wrote: »

On the last day of your current tax go down to the tax office and get a months one so

The minimum you can tax a vehicle for is three months. You can pay arrears in multiples of one month (1/10 of annual tax per month).

Midnight_EG wrote: »

If you don't declare it you'll be liable for a years worth of tax as they'll presume you drove it taxless and have to pay it!

If you don't know what you're talking about, it's better to say nothing.....

Midnight_EG

esel wrote: »

The minimum you can tax a vehicle for is three months. You can pay arrears in multiples of one month (1/10 of annual tax per month).

I missed out the word arrears, I just saw monthly =[



Sorry cloneslad.

cloneslad

Midnight_EG wrote: »

I missed out the word arrears, I just saw monthly =[



Sorry cloneslad.

/walks away crying

Toyota_Avensis

Don't bother taxing it in Febuary, chances are if you're stopped by the Gardaí, if its only out of tax by a matter of weeks, they give a few days Grace to sort it out. Better having that few quid in your back pocket for going away than for the Revenue Shower to have it.
As regards Storage, Park it up at a property you can trust, and leave the keys with them. Ask them kindly to heat her up every now and then to keep things ticking over.
On return, you can declare the car off the road when you go to renew to tax, and in the meantime, have your insurance suspended. (Unless you wish to Cover Fire & Theft)
Don't bother changing the ownership, unless its going to be driven. Anyway, changing the ownership gives you no right to the car legally on your return, in the unlikely event of a dispute arising but just bare that in mind.

The-Game

Midnight_EG wrote: »

To be fair I've never had to tax my car, so I don't know the time constraints Checking now though.

So what exactly is this Tax Free car you drive??

Unfortunately its only arrears that can be paid in monthly segments as esel pointed out, OP needs to decide whether its worth the price of 3 months tax for 1 months use, some cars can work out cheap for 3 months tax, compared to use of public transport and taxis.