It’s difficult to comment without knowing the full facts of your case but if I were you I would be very slow to accept a NI car in lieu of your Irish registered one. In a case where the car purchased is not ‘fit for purpose’, usually the supplying dealer / manufacturer will make good on the deal. This usually involves having the necessary repairs carried out (at no cost to you) or in extreme situations taking the car back and issuing a full refund.

Did you purchase the car from a main dealer? Who has been involved in corresponding with VW? You or the dealer? From what you’ve told me it looks like you have a very good case for returning the car and asking for a refund but a lot depends on how long the car was in your possession. When did it start giving trouble? How many miles had you put up on it? Was it still covered under manufacturer / dealer warranty?

The fact that VW have admitted the car is faulty and are willing to replace it (with a new one?) certainly helps but in my opinion the offer to replace the car with a NI version (assuming its the same year and spec?) is not a like for like exchange.

Shane.

I have a dilema. I purchased a VW from a Republic dealer. The car was originally a UK car the dealer had imported. The car was faultily and after lengthily discussions with VW UK they arranged to change the car in Belfast, however this car had NI plates and the VRT is €4700, this seems unfair as I have already paid VRT on the first vehicle. I enquired about an exception but was informed that it was not possible. I can not afford the VRT is it legal for me to sell the VW on the NI plates in the Republic? I can then source a car here with the VRT already paid. I have never brought a car from the North nor am I seeking to profit by selling the car.

Would you mind sending me the registration number of the car you’re thinking of importing?

The good news is that your car will qualify for scrappage here provided your 10 year old one meets all the relevant conditions. You should bring it to an Authorised Treatment Facility for scrapping as only an ATF can issue you with a certificate of destruction. After that its off to the VRT office to claim your scrappage!

Hope this helps,
Shane.

Unfortunately I believe the VRT still applies regardless of the transaction details. The only way around it would be if you were relocating to Ireland and wanted to bring the car back with you. Have you considered having it valued in the UK? Maybe it would work out better if you sold it there and put the money towards another car in Ireland?

I’m a UK resident and have a Citroen C4 that I bought brand new in January 2008. The car only has 6,000 miles(I live in central London so hence the few miles) and is fully serviced, MOT etc.

My mums car in Ireland is on it’s last legs and I want to give my car to my mother as a gift for her upcoming birthday. I’ve checked the ROS website and I can see that I would have to go to an NCT center, get the car tested and pay around EUR 2,400 as VRT based in the revenues open market selling price.

My query is, do you know if there is an exemption seen as I’m gifting(no payment will pass) between me and my mum? I can’t seem to find anything on this. I don’t really mind paying this VRT if I have to but if I don’t have to that would be wonderful and would go towards paying the car insurance I guess.

Really appreciate your comments/advise on this

Kind regards

Ross

If the car is in your name for 18 months and insured for use you should be able to trade it in after you’ge imported it. Question is – what’s the VRT amount on it? If mightn’t be worth importing it for the saving under scrappage. Maybe the dealer will give you something for it on its UK plates?

I am in the process of importing it, but now I don’t know whether to proceed. As it’s a UK Car do you know if it is applicable for the scrappage scheme, or can I trade it in over here?

By chargeable enhancements they’re referring to specification that wouldn’t have been on the car as standard equipment in Ireland. In terms of calculating the cost it differs for each manufacturer but generally speaking Revenue will be able to access the price of most options directly from their own database or from the manufacturer. They will then include the value of these options when calculating the Original Market Value (OMV) which when combined with the CO2 value ultimately determined the VRT due on the car.

Regards,
Shane.

Any help appreciated.
James

I hope you’re getting it at a bargain.

By right the person who brought the vehicle into the country should have paid the VRT on it within 24 hours of bringing it into the state. However, you bought it with English plates on it so I assume you thought there could be some import duty owing?

I’d be surprised if it was a large amount given that it’s 20 years old. Did you get a figure from Revenue yet?

Thanks for your question. The calculation of an OMSP is more or less ‘Top Secret’ at Revenue headquarters however you do have the right to appeal their calculation once the VRT has been paid. I’ve heard that most of the appeals are upheld so it’s definitely worth filling out the paperwork. Don’t forget to show them your motorcheck report!

I just bought a 20 year old motor home on English plates, sent off reg documents and they have being returned saying they’re unable to issue a registration document to the Irish republic. As I bought the vehicle in the Republic wouldn’t the previous owner be liable to pay the vrt as he was the one who brought it here, but never changed it over? I now have to change over vehicle and pay vrt, any thoughts?

Crew Cabs such as the Navara, Hilux and L200 all have back seats and therefore are not treated as Category C (Commercial) vehicles for VRT purposes. Commercials with back seats such as Crew-Cab type vehicles are treated as Category B vehicles. VRT rate for Category B vehicles is 13.3% of OMSP (subject to a minimum of EUR 125).

To get a VRT estimate simply enter the reg into our VRT calculator at: http://www.motorcheck.ie/blog/vrt-calculator/ or try the Revenue’s own VRT estimator at: https://www.ros.ie/VRTEnquiryServlet/showVRT.

In terms of taxing the vehicle I’d advise you contact your local tax office first. I’ve heard of people having difficulties taxing a crew car commercially with some local authorities.

I’m looking into the possiblity of buying a commerical crew cab in the UK and bringing it back home to Ireland. Some people have told me that I would only need to pay VRT of €50 flat rate if I do this. I’m looking at a Nissan Navara, Toyota Hilux or a Mitsubshi L200 Passenger.

I don’t own my own business or anything, but I’ve been told that this doesn’t actually prevent me from buying a commercial vehicle, taxing it as a commercial vehicle and insuring it as a commercial vehicle.

Obviously, I wont be claiming back VAT on diesel or anything like that.

Can you tell me if the information I’ve stated here is correct. I’ve been looking online for information but cant find any and have runf the Revenue Commissioners but the person I spoke with wasn’t really 100% certain either way.

Thanks,

Great site too by the way!

There’s been rumblings about VRT for quite a while now. I wouldn’t expect anything drastic to happen in the next year so you should be fine changing your car. Especially if you go for one of the Band A or B vehicles where VRT is quite low nowadays.

More about VRT here http://www.motorcheck.ie/blog/is-vrt-a-legal-tax/.

Give the guys at Blanchardstown 4X4 a call if you need anything done. Their number is 01 838 3944 and they specialise in this type of conversion.

Apologies for taking so long to come back to you. I knew I’d be writing something about VRT on our blog and wanted to cover your question there. It’s up now at http://www.motorcheck.ie/blog/is-vrt-a-legal-tax/

I ran a 2006 2.0 Mazda 6, Diesel, Automatic (Comfort Model) with 55,000 miles against the Motorcheck valuation engine and got a forecourt price of 9,500 Euro.

The revenue website came back with a figure of 10,561 Euro which wasn’t too far off. You can see my screenshot here. Are you sure that you were putting in the correct details?

I’d like to import a 2006/7 Mazda 6 2.0 Diesel from the UK. The second hand price for one here ranges from €10-14,000, yet when I use the VRT calculator it gives an open market value of €20-22,000. This makes it uneconomical to import the car and the valuation is ridiculously steep compared to similar cars. is Is there anything I can do about this?

Thanks a million.

Best,
Robert.

Do you really need to trade it in at the garage? Have you tried selling it privately yourself? The used car market in the south is pretty strong at the moment. I’d recommend an ad on www.dondeal.ie or www.gumtree.ie as two inexpensive ways to test the market.

Failing that, I know that Charles Hurst in Belfast was at one time taking Irish registered cars in part exchange. Perhaps you could give them a call? You’ll get all their numbers online at http://www.charleshurstgroup.co.uk/contact_us.aspx

Thanks in advance.

If you’d like to post me a link to the KIT bike you’re thinking of buying I can make an enquiry with Revenue for you.