New Road Tax rates for 'pre-classics'?

Silvera

I have often thought that there should be lower road tax rates for cars between the ages of 20-30 yrs old - if such vehicles are insured under a classic limited-mileage policy.

Cars in this age group are in a sort of 'twilight zone' - they are rarely used as everyday cars, yet have to be NCT'd and pay full road tax rates ?!

Because of high road tax, many cars in this age bracket are scrapped - which might otherwise be saved, if owners could afford to tax them !!

Say if road tax rates were halved for qualifying cars ?

Instead of €1300+ (top rate), say €650 if insured under a classic limited mileage policy ???

Perhaps it's time the classic car clubs started lobbying again - like they did to get the vintage road tax rate (€50) many years ago !!

Alfasudcrazy

Yes - Im for that - it amazes me how meek the Irish motoring public are to a government which is ripping them off big time

Dades

That would make sense. If a motor is insured as a genuine classic that should be enough to qualify it.

Problem is the green-inclined are likely to object to more old gas gusslers being kept on the road. And people will keep old cars on the road for the wrong reasons.

If the low tax rate was introduced, perhaps keeping the NCT for the 20-30 yr catagory wouldn't be a bad thing? :eek:

ds20prefecture

The Atheist wrote:

That would make sense. If a motor is insured as a genuine classic that should be enough to qualify it.

Problem is the green-inclined are likely to object to more old gas gusslers being kept on the road. And people will keep old cars on the road for the wrong reasons.

If the low tax rate was introduced, perhaps keeping the NCT for the 20-30 yr catagory wouldn't be a bad thing? :eek:

The thing is, keeping an old gas guzzler on the road is probably more ecologically sound than changing your car every 5 years. Making a car consumes a massive amount of non-renewables and produces more harmful emissions than the car is likely to expel in its lifetime.

I think an NCT for all cars wouldn't be a bad thing, but you might need a different set of criteria for a classic - e.g. seat belt, number plate, emissions, etc.
But tyres, brakes, chassis integrity, lights and so on should be assessed regularly. My car would probably fail on emissions, exhaust noise, number plate and lights (mine are still for LHD)

Dades

ds20prefecture wrote:

The thing is, keeping an old gas guzzler on the road is probably more ecologically sound than changing your car every 5 years. Making a car consumes a massive amount of non-renewables and produces more harmful emissions than the car is likely to expel in its lifetime.

I've no doubt you're probably right. I just think preconceptions and politics make it a hard sell.
The government are no doubt big offenders when it comes to upgrading their fleet of cars.

A "classic" NCT might be an option however.

MustangCobra

Alfasudcrazy wrote:

Yes - Im for that - it amazes me how meek the Irish motoring public are to a government which is ripping them off big time

Don't bother getting the road tax,
the fine is only 50 Euros in the unlikely event your stopped!

Silvera

The Atheist wrote:

If the low tax rate was introduced, perhaps keeping the NCT for the 20-30 yr catagory wouldn't be a bad thing?

Cars undr 30 yrs old are currently required to go through the NCT, and I was not suggesting that this should change - only the road tax rates.

mike65

MustangCobra wrote:

Don't bother getting the road tax,
the fine is only 50 Euros in the unlikely event your stopped!

Its 60 euro and in the last few weeks the boys in blue have been busy doing revenue collection for the state...

Mike.

JohnBoy

and they can impound your car if you're more than 3 months out of date

Seth Brundle

There govt won't do reduce taxation because as already said, an older car is more likely to be scrapped and replaced by a new model so the govt earns via VRT & VAT. Why on earth would they remove it because of a few enthuasiasts?

Dades

Silvera wrote:

Cars undr 30 yrs old are currently required to go through the NCT, and I was not suggesting that this should change - only the road tax rates.

My mistake.........................

As you were...

Silvera

kbannon wrote:

There govt won't do reduce taxation because as already said, an older car is more likely to be scrapped and replaced by a new model so the govt earns via VRT & VAT. Why on earth would they remove it because of a few enthuasiasts?

They reduced road tax rates for vintage vehicles for 'a few enthusiasts' !

Seth Brundle

Don't take my words personally - I was merely trying to view it from the Minister of Finances eyes.

Silvera

kbannon wrote:

Don't take my words personally - I was merely trying to view it from the Minister of Finances eyes.

Fair enough.
But the govt did reduce motor tax from several hundred (for large vintage vehicles) to just £/€50 after some lobbying by the IVVCC.

The run-up to the next election would be a good time to lobby the govt (and opposition) !!

shagman

Mc Creevy also reduced motor tax on motorhomes to €50 a year when lobbied by the 2 Irish motorhome clubs. Apparently he he was heard to say "ah sure go on yiz are only a shower a jumped up knackers anyway" upon conclusion of the meeting!

Silvera

I wouldn't care what he (or Biffo) said, if the rates were reduced !!