Motor tax website to be reviewed for ‘ambiguity’

The Department of Transport is to review the wording of a section on motor tax, because of a complaint that the text gives the wrong impression of the rate charged on vehicles bought in the first six months of 2008.

A member of the public, who had recently bought a second-hand car first registered in April, 2008, complained that he was being charged a tax rate based on the car’s CO2 emissions, when the rate based on the car’s engine size was more favourable.

The motor tax website says cars registered in the first six months of the year can be taxed on the engine size or CO2 emissions, whichever rate is more beneficial.