The young timer scheme is popular among business drivers in the Netherlands. When cars are 15 years old, they qualify for the favorable addition rate. So every year new models are added that can be driven at a competitive price. Techzle lists a bunch of ‘interesting debutants’, starting with what is now a popular vehicle category on the car market: SUVs.
First, a brief refresher on the young timer scheme for those who are less at home in addition land. If you drive more than 500 private kilometers with your business car, you add 35 percent of the current market value of the car to your taxable income annually. This addition percentage only applies if your car has the young timer status, i.e. when the vehicle is at least 15 years old. The current market value is in most cases quite favorable, so that you pay relatively little addition and at the same time can deduct all car costs from the operating profit. The favorable addition rate starts from the day the car turns 15 years old, measured from the first international registration. So you have to keep a close eye on that. You cannot buy the car earlier and only then decide to add it. While you are driving for business, you can choose whether or not to add, but that means that you are not allowed to drive your car privately until January 1, 2022, if you initially decide not to add.
On the hunt for an SUV of 15 years or older, big boys that often have a relatively favorable market value to drive tax-friendly next year? Then pay attention, we list a few:
1. Audi Q7
The Q7 was Audi’s first full-size SUV. Its large, somewhat ungainly appearance shocked many Audi enthusiasts at the time, but in the meantime they are no longer surprised. Strictly speaking, the Q7 was delivered from the end of 2005, but only 434 were produced in that year. The range will only really increase from 2006. Tastes differ, but given its age, the Q7 does not even look that dated. At the launch, the customer had a choice of three engines: the 3.6 FSI, 4.2 FSI and 3.0 TDI. Later, among other things, a 4.2 TDI and a truly monstrous V12 TDI were added. At the time, Volkswagen had a bizarre period full of crazy W8, V10 and V12 engines. Types with the first three power sources of the Q7 will receive young timer status for the first time from next year. The 3.0 TDI is the most rational choice for the frequent driver, but for someone who drives less and needs a lot of space, the 4.2 V8 can be a great source of power. This copy is tax-friendly to drive from 19 May.
2. Chevrolet Captiva
The Chevrolet brand name traditionally evokes the association with great American cars, but General Motors chose at one point to stick the Chevrolet badge on Daewoo models in Europe. The Captiva may look a bit more American because of its design, but the SUV was developed in South Korea. There he went through life as Daewoo Winstorm. In terms of motorization, there was a choice of two gasolines and one diesel: a cast iron 2.4 four-cylinder with 136 hp, a 3.2 V6 with 230 hp and the 2.0 VDCI with 150 hp. The Captiva is the cheapest of all the cars in this list, but the engines are not really refined. In addition, the Captiva is relatively thirsty for its power. This copy has the 2.4 four-cylinder and can only be driven tax-friendly from November 9, 2021. So another year of patience.
3. Mercedes-Benz GL class
Big, bigger, GL. This full-size SUV was the most bulky passenger car ever Das Haus 15 years ago. Seven seats, plenty of space and packed with luxury. It can be guessed that under the hood of the GL only larger power sources were to be found. At its market launch, the GL was available as GL 450 and 500, both eight-cylinder with 339 and 387 hp respectively. Self-igniters were also available in the form of the GL 320 and 420 CDI. The 320 has six cylinders and 224 hp at its disposal, the 420 is a fat V8 with 306 hp and, the main quality of a diesel, 700 Nm of torque. The coupling king of the series is ideal for pulling heavy equipment. This copy is not a diesel, but a 500. The mileage is still pretty modest, but it is and will remain a car with expensive parts and technology. The fuel consumption is not tender either.
4. Toyota FJ Cruiser
The Toyota FJ Cruiser was not formally delivered in the Netherlands, but that does not make it any less special. Toyota wanted to make the FJ Cruiser a modern reincarnation of the original FJ40. The concept car first appeared at the Detroit Auto Show in 2003 and was an instant hit with the public. Therefore, Toyota changed the final production version only in a few points. As mentioned, the FJ Cruiser was not originally delivered in the Netherlands, but a number of copies were brought to our country via gray import. At the time, a pair was also an eye-catcher at dealers. The 4.0 V6 under the hood delivers 242 hp. From next year, the FJ Cruiser will receive young timer status, so you can also drive this striking creation in a tax-friendly manner. Finding one is a task, but in Germany a number of copies from 2006 are for sale.
5. Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG
Does all of the above not offer enough power and do you need a more brutal SUV as a company car? Then the ML 63 AMG is also an option from next year! The deranged people in Affalterbach tackled Mercedes’ second-largest SUV in 2006 and spooned their naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 into the front. The result? 510 hp and 630 Nm of torque, traditionally accompanied by a cacophony of roar from the four oval tailpipes. Of course, the consumption is not to write home about (he is so thirsty …), but hey, if you care about that, you don’t consider AMG at all. Unfortunately, no copies from 2006 are for sale in the Netherlands, but you can find a number at our Eastern neighbors.