2nd-hand Kuga Commercial 4-seat

Gwynston

There was an old thread about this model when it first came out:
Kuga Commercial 4 seater- Mad Stuff!!

Now I see a few of these coming on the market 2nd-hand. They're quite attractive because because they mostly seem to have the 150PS engine rather than the usual entry-level 120PS and typically are lower priced - I guess because the initial outlay was less when new (as VAT could be reclaimed for businesses).

I'm in the market for a private-use Kuga and I don't fully understand what the repercussions might be if I were to get one of these.

• Is the 4-seat commercial identical to a regular Kuga, just with the centre-rear seatbelt removed?
• Can it be used as a private vehicle?
• Is it just a case of specifically paying for private-use road tax and insurance?
• Does the model need any special declarations when insuring privately?
• Are there any VAT impications when considering the advertised price for these, or is the price inclusive of VAT for private buyers?
• Is it possible to retro-fit the centre seatbelt?

R.O.R

Gwynston wrote: »

There was an old thread about this model when it first came out:
Kuga Commercial 4 seater- Mad Stuff!!

Now I see a few of these coming on the market 2nd-hand. They're quite attractive because because they mostly seem to have the 150PS engine rather than the usual entry-level 120PS and typically are lower priced - I guess because the initial outlay was less when new (as VAT could be reclaimed for businesses).

I'm in the market for a private-use Kuga and I don't fully understand what the repercussions might be if I were to get one of these.

• Is the 4-seat commercial identical to a regular Kuga, just with the centre-rear seatbelt removed?
• Can it be used as a private vehicle?
• Is it just a case of specifically paying for private-use road tax and insurance?
• Does the model need any special declarations when insuring privately?
• Are there any VAT impications when considering the advertised price for these, or is the price inclusive of VAT for private buyers?
• Is it possible to retro-fit the centre seatbelt?

The main reason these are cheaper than the 5 seat version is because it's a lot more difficult for a private individual to get insurance on them as it's a commercial vehicle. Before doing anything further, ring your insurer and see what they say about switching insurance on to one of these (may be a good idea to have a reg number from one of the ad's to hand).

To answer the questions:

There are 3 modifications made to a passenger Kuga to have it classified as a 4 Seat commercial.
1. Remove the centre rear seat belt
2. Remove the centre rear seat headrest
3. Rivet a plaque to the back of the centre console that says "if you sit in the middle seat in the back, you will die a horrible death, as will all your family, and the world will end" (or something like that)

It can be used as a private vehicle with adequate insurance cover and taxed privately.

Yes - road tax on the 2 litre versions is €710 for private use as it's taxed on engine size rather than emissions.

Not sure if there's any declarations needed for insurance, if you can get insurance for private usage.

May be possible to retro fit the rear seat belt, but would require having the vehicle reclassified from commercial to passenger and paying additional VRT. More hassle than it's worth - just buy a 5 seat version.

The 120ps version isn't too bad to drive - worth driving a 5 seat 120 in my opinion to see if that works for you.

Gwynston

OK, thanks for the reply - it clarifies the situation wrt VRT and road tax.
As you say, not really worth considering the 4-seat for private use.

I have tested a 150PS Kuga before, which didn't seem especially rapid to me, so am doubtful the 120PS would be up to the job as it's supposedly 2s slower 0-100kph (rated at 12s).

I find anything slower than 10 or 11s just annoying. It drives me cracked that the vast majority of all used cars for sale in Ireland have the most basic (i.e. slow) entry-level engine. :mad:

bazz26

Is importing one from the UK an option, plenty of 150bhp versions over there?

Gwynston

Yeah, I've imported before, so know the benefits!

But in this case I have a 2011 Golf to trade in. I think it's a nightmare trying to sell privately these days?

bazz26

Some Northern dealers will take a Southern trade-in if they have a Southern dealer who will buy it off them. Worth exploring anyway.

Gwynston

bazz26 wrote: »

Some Northern dealers will take a Southern trade-in if they have a Southern dealer who will buy it off them. Worth exploring anyway.

Interesting!
Do you know of any - or how I can find them out?

bazz26

I'd say find a car your interested in and then inquire.