Is an NCT needed to tax a '81 Merc?

cath28

I'm really interested in a 1981 Merc 230 CE I've looked at. It'll be a classic next year, but till then I'll need to get normal car tax. But do I need to get the car NCT'd to tax it? The seller said I didnt and said he wouldnt bother with the NCT as it'll be exemt within the year. But would the insurance be valid if anything was to happen while it wasnt NCT'd? I need it as a primary car so I cant afford to buy it and wait.

The other car I'm close to buying otherwise (a Karmann Ghia ) is a classic so no NCT and low tax, but its nearly twice the price meaning if I can just pay the higher tax for 9 months on the Merc and not go through the NCT it would save me a fortune. Is this possible and/or wise?

Any sugestions?

Tigger

cath28 wrote: »

I'm really interested in a 1981 Merc 230 CE I've looked at. It'll be a classic next year, but till then I'll need to get normal car tax. But do I need to get the car NCT'd to tax it? The seller said I didnt and said he wouldnt bother with the NCT as it'll be exemt within the year. But would the insurance be valid if anything was to happen while it wasnt NCT'd? I need it as a primary car so I cant afford to buy it and wait.

The other car I'm close to buying otherwise (a Karmann Ghia ) is a classic so no NCT and low tax, but its nearly twice the price meaning if I can just pay the higher tax for 9 months on the Merc and not go through the NCT it would save me a fortune. Is this possible and/or wise?

Any sugestions?

##it won't be nct exempt next year##

Sorry, I don't know anything about classic cars so forgive my stubbling in here

Firstly, you don't need the NCT to tax a car online. I can't answer the question re insurance. However, I will say this, you risk getting 5 penalty points if you get caught driving it without an NCT. Is it really worth it? Do you not think it will pass the NCT?

cath28

Tigger wrote: »

##it won't be nct exempt next year##

Really? I thought as long as it was over 30 years old it was NCT exempt as a classic.. so Jan 2011 it will be 30 years. Am I wrong? I've checked this on the net and thats what I read?? Now I'm confused!

cath28

Deleted User wrote: »

However, I will say this, you risk getting 5 penalty points if you get caught driving it without an NCT. Is it really worth it? Do you not think it will pass the NCT?

I have no idea if it'll pass the NCT, but my friend who knows alot about classics came to see it and drive it with me and thinks it should with maybe a few minor repairs. I will bring it to a mechanic before I decide.. but I'm just worried that it'll end up costing me alot more than I think. I didnt think about the penalty points though.. so thanks for pointing that out.

PaulK_CCI

cath28 wrote: »

Really? I thought as long as it was over 30 years old it was NCT exempt as a classic.. so Jan 2011 it will be 30 years. Am I wrong? I've checked this on the net and thats what I read?? Now I'm confused!

You ARE correct, BUT new legislation has come into effect a couple of months ago, which means that the rolling exemption for cars that reach their 30th 'birthday' has been stopped ONLY for the NCT!! at december 1980, so any car that was first registered younger than 1-1-1981 will always have to be NCT-ed every year. Tax and VRT exemptions remain in place, so you would get cheap tax rate en if you import, only 50 euro's VRT.

Also note that the exemption works on the EXACT date of registration. If you car was registered in december 1981, you cannot claim VRT or Tax exemption in january !

cath28

PaulK_CCI wrote: »

You ARE correct, BUT new legislation has come into effect a couple of months ago, which means that the rolling exemption for cars that reach their 30th 'birthday' has been stopped ONLY for the NCT!! at december 1980, so any car that was first registered younger than 1-1-1981 will always have to be NCT-ed every year. Tax and VRT exemptions remain in place, so you would get cheap tax rate en if you import, only 50 euro's VRT.

Also note that the exemption works on the EXACT date of registration. If you car was registered in december 1981, you cannot claim VRT or Tax exemption in january !

Really??? Thanks so much for pointing this out. I cant believe I didnt hear that from anyone before...
I really dont know if I want the headache of doing an NCT on an old car every year. Also I didnt know it was the exact reg date.. better find out when that is as the tax is steep enough.

So, what if you buy a car thats already a classic now ( say the '72 Ghia ) is that exempt from the yearly NCT?

PaulK_CCI

cath28 wrote: »

So, what if you buy a car thats already a classic now ( say the '72 Ghia ) is that exempt from the yearly NCT?

simple answer: Yes

cath28

PaulK_CCI wrote: »

simple answer: Yes

Cheers again.. I just wondered if they would get you on change of ownership or something.

So the Ghia is twice the price and half the hassle.. Hmmm..

Why do so many people say stay away from ghias? I know theyre loud and slow.. But other than that? (Opps I think this should be another thread )

PaulK_CCI

cath28 wrote: »

Cheers again.. I just wondered if they would get you on change of ownership or something.

So the Ghia is twice the price and half the hassle.. Hmmm..

Why do so many people say stay away from ghias? I know theyre loud and slow.. But other than that? (Opps I think this should be another thread )

Change of ownership has nothing to do with it.

Once the car is over 30 years as per the exact date of 1st registration it is tax exempt. But, regarding NCT only, the new rule is that if the car is younger than 1980, it WILL need to be NCT-ed every year.

spooky donkey

Of cource you could get that 81 car and dont NCT it. If the guards stop you and you have tax and insurance displayed they will most likly wave you on, and if they ask tell them its a classic and does not need and NCT they wont know. Its such a new law and they see classic so seldom they will just say " Oh I did not know that " and wave you on.
But if you run into the traffic core there is a better chance they will know the score.
I got stoped in my car the night I baught it its an 84 and I told the gard at the check point I had just baught it so he let me go telling me to make sure i got it Taxed, no mention at all of NCT...... And I know my brother has told them 2 or 3 times that his 88 is a classic and he got away with it.

antodeco

PaulK_CCI wrote: »

You ARE correct, BUT new legislation has come into effect a couple of months ago, which means that the rolling exemption for cars that reach their 30th 'birthday' has been stopped ONLY for the NCT!! at december 1980, so any car that was first registered younger than 1-1-1981 will always have to be NCT-ed every year. Tax and VRT exemptions remain in place, so you would get cheap tax rate en if you import, only 50 euro's VRT.

Also note that the exemption works on the EXACT date of registration. If you car was registered in december 1981, you cannot claim VRT or Tax exemption in january !

You got your years wrong! Its previous to 1-1-80!

cath28

spooky donkey wrote: »

Of cource you could get that 81 car and dont NCT it. If the guards stop you and you have tax and insurance displayed they will most likly wave you on, and if they ask tell them its a classic and does not need and NCT they wont know. Its such a new law and they see classic so seldom they will just say " Oh I did not know that " and wave you on.
But if you run into the traffic core there is a better chance they will know the score.
I got stoped in my car the night I baught it its an 84 and I told the gard at the check point I had just baught it so he let me go telling me to make sure i got it Taxed, no mention at all of NCT...... And I know my brother has told them 2 or 3 times that his 88 is a classic and he got away with it.

I'm a bit of a wus when it comes to the cops! Also, god forbid you were in a major accident, the insurance wouldn't be valid would it?

unkel

cath28 wrote: »

god forbid you were in a major accident, the insurance wouldn't be valid would it?

Your 3rd party insurance would be valid, but there might be other serious implications, such as the insurer going after you in a civil court. Also apart from the 5 penalty points, there is also a €1,500 fine for not having a valid NCT. See todays thread on the main motors forum here

I'd like to give the Gardai a little bit more credit in knowing about classic cars and NCT. Of course, there are always lazy / thick / ignorant ones out there, but I'd say the majority would know if a car needs an NCT or not.

And Gardai not caring about cars having an NCT or not? I wouldn't bet on it. I brought my (non classic) car back on the road at the start of March (NCT expired) but not until I had an NCT appointment within 5 weeks. I kept the printed appointment in the car. I was stopped 3 times at checkpoint within 2 weeks (and I drive very little) and on all occasions I was asked about the expired NCT. Showing the appointment satisfied the Garda all 3 times. The car is now NCTd BTW.

unkel

cath28 wrote: »

on the Merc and not go through the NCT it would save me a fortune.

BTW, how come not going through the NCT would save you a fortune? The NCT test itself is only €50.

If you mean the car will need a lot of work to go through the NCT, surely it's not wise to not do the work for safety reasons?

Have you thought about this: maybe you can come to an arrangement with the seller that you buy the car at the agreed price, once the seller gets an NCT on it?

macplaxton

PaulK_CCI wrote: »

But, regarding NCT only, the new rule is that if the car is younger than 1980, it WILL need to be NCT-ed every year.

Most of the above statement is correct. All cars first registered* from 1st January 1980 need to undergo a NCT. That requirement came into force 4th January 2010.

However, I checked the calendar...... and it's still April 2010, so I'll quibble over the last two words: "every year"

The annual testing of cars over ten years old hasn't quite kicked in yet. It will commence on the 1st June 2011, so cars due to be tested and passed before then** will have a longer "2 year" first ticket.

*Worldwide first date of registration.
**Not sure what happens if a car is due to be tested before that date, but passes after. I would guess it may just be a "1 year" ticket. An incentive to get them done in the three months prior to expiry?

Anyway, that's all in the Classic Cars Charter

cath28, May I ask if this Merc is registered on Irish plates or not? If it isn't, then that's potentially another great expense.

cath28

unkel wrote: »

BTW, how come not going through the NCT would save you a fortune? The NCT test itself is only €50.

If you mean the car will need a lot of work to go through the NCT, surely it's not wise to not do the work for safety reasons?

Have you thought about this: maybe you can come to an arrangement with the seller that you buy the car at the agreed price, once the seller gets an NCT on it?

Hi unkel,

Its a pity I didnt get this comment till now! I should have thought about telling the seller to get the NCT and I would buy it as you suggested.. but tomorrow I'm getting a mechanic who knows old mercs to look at it ( so I pay ) And its already arranged..

As you said, if it needed alot of work for the NCT then I shouldnt buy it anyway without doing said work. So, I'm trying to get a more realistic price the car will actually cost me before I decide between it and something else.

We'll see what the Mechanic says tomorrow I suppose...

cath28

macplaxton wrote: »

cath28, May I ask if this Merc is registered on Irish plates or not? If it isn't, then that's potentially another great expense.

Its on Irish plates.. but thanks for pointing that out anyway in case I hadnt considered it

unkel

cath28 wrote: »

tomorrow I'm getting a mechanic who knows old mercs to look at it ( so I pay )

But that's a good thing!

Your mechanic will tell you what's good and what's not, and he/she will be able to put a rough price on what's needed. In my experience, what you pay an indy specialist to assess a car before you buy is the best money you'll ever spend on a car!

Hifive

Totally agree with Unkel.
It's so easy to buy with your heart instead of your head, that many buyers have ended up with a (shiny) pig in a poke.

cath28

unkel wrote: »

In my experience, what you pay an indy specialist to assess a car before you buy is the best money you'll ever spend on a car!

Yep.. you were right! Money well spent as the mechanic gave the merc a big thumbs down. So, thats that one out of the equation.. The other coupe on donedeal that was listed in this thread is no longer for sale either...

Thanks for youre help everyone:)

corktina

antodeco wrote: »

You got your years wrong! Its previous to 1-1-80!

quite correct.1-1-80 is the cut off point

8~)

I guessed the Merc would not pass an inspection. Any seller of an old car knows the NCT and tax situation. Lads telling lies or just providing misinformation about the tax or NCT status can probably talk up the car they're selling too.

carchaeologist

8~) wrote: »

I guessed the Merc would not pass an inspection. Any seller of an old car knows the NCT and tax situation. Lads telling lies or just providing misinformation about the tax or NCT status can probably talk up the car they're selling too.

Its like the ad that says 'needs slight work to pass test'. How slight is slight? Why not do the work and pass the test,it would make things easier all round.

unkel

carchaeologist wrote: »

Its like the ad that says 'needs slight work to pass test'. How slight is slight? Why not do the work and pass the test,it would make things easier all round.

I couldn't agree more with ya, but in practice it doesn't really work out like that sometimes. The car could be off the road, untaxed, uninsured with no valid NCT. Very dodgy to get it to the NCT even on a trailer. What if something happens driving it off the trailer at the NCT centre? The owner could be too broke to afford a trip on a trailer or even spend minor money on repairs. Etc. etc.

carchaeologist

unkel wrote: »

I couldn't agree more with ya, but in practice it doesn't really work out like that sometimes. The car could be off the road, untaxed, uninsured with no valid NCT. Very dodgy to get it to the NCT even on a trailer. What if something happens driving it off the trailer at the NCT centre? The owner could be too broke to afford a trip on a trailer or even spend minor money on repairs. Etc. etc.

Yes,fair point there too,i suppose if you are any good/know the car you are looking at you will spot the dodgy ones.