Low tax second hand

fran oconnor

HI, I will be looking to buy a second hand car over the next month or so, I'm in a muddle over prices etc. I have a budget of a maximum of 7k. I'm looking to get something that's good on fuel and tax. I was looking at Citroën C5 Saab 9-3 Scoda Octavia, but depending on the year and engine the tax can be anything up to 700 a year. I'd like to get something in the lower tax bracket. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks

bazz26

Low tax is dependent on the year of the car and it's emissions. Generally anything from 2008 onwards will be on the low tax system but some 2008 cars were on the older system because they were registered before 1st July or were cheaper to tax on the old system. Diesel cars tend to have lower emissions than petrols but diesel cars cost more to buy. Anything older than 2008 will definitely be on the engine size tax system.

But what you need to be aware of is that low tax cars tend to cost more to buy because everyone wants them. The reality is some people will happily spend thousands extra on a car in order to make a small saving on motor tax. You need to look at the whole cost of ownership rather than just focusing on motor tax.

Also you might need to refine your criteria on what car you want or need, there is a huge variation between an Octavia, C5 and 9-3 other than they are within your budget. With a budget of €7k you will struggle to buy any of these that are half decent, with low motor tax.

fran oconnor

bazz26 wrote: »

Low tax is dependent on the year of the car and it's emissions. Generally anything from 2008 onwards will be on the low tax system but some 2008 cars were on the older system because they were registered before 1st July or were cheaper to tax on the old system. Diesel cars tend to have lower emissions than petrols but diesel cars cost more to buy. Anything older than 2008 will definitely be on the engine size tax system.

But what you need to be aware of is that low tax cars tend to cost more to buy because everyone wants them. The reality is some people will happily spend thousands extra on a car in order to make a small saving on motor tax. You need to look at the whole cost of ownership rather than just focusing on motor tax.

Also you might need to refine your criteria on what car you want or need, there is a huge variation between an Octavia, C5 and 9-3 other than they are within your budget. With a budget of €7k you will struggle to buy any of these that are half decent, with low motor tax.

They are just some of the cars I have been looking at, but what your saying is right as there seems to be plenty of cars under that price range from 07. I'm even half thinking would it be worth going to England etc.

dar83

fran oconnor wrote: »

They are just some of the cars I have been looking at, but what your saying is right as there seems to be plenty of cars under that price range from 07. I'm even half thinking would it be worth going to England etc.

Not right now it isn't, the exchange rate will kill any savings you may have made...

fran oconnor

I should have really started a thread looking for advice on what would be the best value for money, with tax and fuel costs. I'm basically looking for a good size family car that goes quite well and won't set me back a fortune to run service tax etc.

punisher5112

Diesel usually in most cases fall into the cheaper tax band so you would be looking for a Ford Focus/Mondeo, Skoda Octavia/Superb, VW Passat, Toyota Avensis, Honda Civic/Accord.. along those lines.

If you only do short runs I would recommend staying well clear of diesel and buy petrol.

fran oconnor

punisher5112 wrote: »

Diesel usually in most cases fall into the cheaper tax band so you would be looking for a Ford Focus/Mondeo, Skoda Octavia/Superb, VW Passat, Toyota Avensis, Honda Civic/Accord.. along those lines.

If you only do short runs I would recommend staying well clear of diesel and buy petrol.

Cheers thanks, see thats another thing I need to think about, I'm driving 30k a day in and out of work so it might not be the best option. So if it's going to be petrol I'll have to look at the cheapest in that area.

punisher5112

fran oconnor wrote: »

Cheers thanks, see thats another thing I need to think about, I'm driving 30k a day in and out of work so it might not be the best option. So if it's going to be petrol I'll have to look at the cheapest in that area.

No problem at all.

Depending on year and type or model you go for I would recommend not a tiny engine either.

I have a 1.6 primera for example and its way too heavy needs at least a 1.8 to pull it.

Same with focus or golf 1.4 would be sluggish so 1.6 would be much better..

Even look at the civic 1.8 saloon lovely car to drive and been a Honda very reliable.

bazz26

If the 30 km consists of mostly short stop/start driving then a petrol is better. If the 30 km a day consists of motorway driving then a diesel will be fine. Of course your €7k will stretch better for a petrol car over a diesel one.

VW Passat here has cheap tax:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Passat/VW-PASSAT/153414279939487090/

fran oconnor

Cheers everyone. I have been looking at cars like this http://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Citroen/C5-1.6-HDI-VTR---5DR/201513232169987. I drive an old VW Golf 1.4 at the moment and I find that to sluggish for the size of the car.

colm_mcm

That looks like a bit like a scam. It's far too cheap/low mileage to be legit/not hiding something.

Also:


VEHICLE
Vehicle Registration Number 09G3893
Vehicle Details CITROEN / C5
Change Of Vehicle Ownership
Transferred to an Individual on :

Notified on : 09/02/2015

03/03/2015
Vehicle Registration Certificate
Most recent Vehicle Registration Certificate issued on : 05/03/2015

fran oconnor

bazz26 wrote: »

If the 30 km consists of mostly short stop/start driving then a petrol is better. If the 30 km a day consists of motorway driving then a diesel will be fine. Of course your €7k will stretch better for a petrol car over a diesel one.

VW Passat here has cheap tax:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Passat/VW-PASSAT/153414279939487090/

they are a really nice car and I forgot about that turbo super charged engine. Wonder what they are tax wise after July 1st 2008

fran oconnor

colm_mcm wrote: »

That looks like a bit like a scam. It's far too cheap/low mileage to be legit/not hiding something.

Is scamming quite normal in the private sales area. This one has high enough mileage but likes nice non the less
http://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Citroen/C5-2.0-HDI-VTR-PLUS-NAVARA-5DR-140HP/154514283505264000

bazz26

The 1.4 in the Passat is turbo charged but not super charged. I think they are around €400 to tax on both systems.

bazz26

If your are looking at the cheapest asking prices in the particular year then chances are it's some sort of scam or there is something dodgy with the car or character selling it.

fran oconnor

colm_mcm wrote: »

That looks like a bit like a scam. It's far too cheap/low mileage to be legit/not hiding something.

Also:


VEHICLE
Vehicle Registration Number 09G3893
Vehicle Details CITROEN / C5
Change Of Vehicle Ownership
Transferred to an Individual on :

Notified on : 09/02/2015

03/03/2015
Vehicle Registration Certificate
Most recent Vehicle Registration Certificate issued on : 05/03/2015

Fair play mate. That was quick finding that out lol

fran oconnor

bazz26 wrote: »

If your are looking at the cheapest asking prices in the particular year then chances are it's some sort of scam or there is something dodgy with the car or character selling it.

I'd say this one would be more genuine
http://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Citroen/C5-1.6-HDI-16V-VTR--110BHP-4DR/201451229542404

This buy cars lark doesn't fill me with confidence

colm_mcm

fran oconnor wrote: »

Is scamming quite normal in the private sales area. This one has high enough mileage but likes nice non the less
http://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Citroen/C5-2.0-HDI-VTR-PLUS-NAVARA-5DR-140HP/154514283505264000

It's a 2.0 as well which is good. The 1.6 isn't as robust.

bazz26

Do you even need a diesel car? What sort of driving do you do - long commutes or short city driving? How many miles per year?

fran oconnor

colm_mcm wrote: »

It's a 2.0 as well which is good. The 1.6 isn't as robust.

Going by that the road tax is 390 I wouldn't mind paying that on a 2.0 with the extra bit of power. Is the 1.6 not that great??. Seem to have a very good fuel economy but maybe on longer journeys

fran oconnor

bazz26 wrote: »

Do you even need a diesel car? What sort of driving do you do - long commutes or short city driving? How many miles per year?

I don't do massive mileage tbh, about 30k a day mostly through city so maybe I should look more toward petrol. I'm just thinking diesel might be better on tax and mpg.

Outkast_IRE

fran oconnor wrote: »

I'm just thinking diesel might be better on tax and mpg.

The difference in tax is so small over the space of a year i woudlnt even factor it.

For 30km a day in city driving, i personally wouldnt touch a diesel for that sort of usage.

fran oconnor

Think I'll have to check out more petrol cars so.

bazz26

fran oconnor wrote: »

I don't do massive mileage tbh, about 30k a day mostly through city so maybe I should look more toward petrol. I'm just thinking diesel might be better on tax and mpg.

Diesel mpg on short runs is not great because a diesel engine takes longer to warm up to optimal efficiency than a petrol car. You also have to mitigate for higher maintenance/repair costs, modern diesels do not like city driving and tend to end up having expensive problems. The cost of a new diesel particulate filter would wipe out any small savings you make at the pump.

I really think you need to look at the total cost of ownership rather than just obsessing with cheaper tax and few extra mpg.

fran oconnor

bazz26 wrote: »

Diesel mpg on short runs is not great because a diesel engine takes longer to warm up to optimal efficiency than a petrol car. You also have to mitigate for higher maintenance/repair costs, modern diesels do not like city driving and tend to end up having expensive problems. The cost of a new diesel particulate filter would wipe out any small savings you make at the pump.

I really think you need to look at the total cost of ownership rather than just obsessing with cheaper tax and few extra mpg.

Yeah I think I'll be reviewing the situation tbh. I do like that C5 tbh and they seem to come in mainly diesel engines, but the VW passat 1.4 is an option worth looking at to. I have a few weeks to do some research so I won't rush into it