Is it worth importing a car from UK to Ireland?
Importing a car from the UK to Ireland can be very appealing as you are accessing a much bigger choice of used cars. The microprocessor shortage has severely restricted car manufacturing so searching a much bigger pool of cars is going to give you a much better chance of finding your perfect car at a competitive price.
Ready to import a car from the UK to Ireland?
Importing a Car from the UK to Ireland
Our step by step guide to importing a car from the UK to Ireland explains what is involved, how to estimate your costs and how long it takes.
Finding the right car
Choosing where you buy from is going to have pros and cons. Here’s some tips on what to bear in mind as your shop.
Car Supermarkets: Are hugely focussed on price but can be lacking in personal service and driven by very strict rules. These rules help them keep their costs to a minimum, but can bite you when you need extra help or something goes wrong. Be fastidious in your checking of details inc spec, accessories, keys, tyre quality, brakes etc.
Car Auctions: Great for a bargain but you need to be a confident buyer who knows what to look out for: tyres, rust, accident damage and spotting prep work are all key to avoiding buying trouble.
Used Car Dealers: Much more about personal service, used car dealers can be great. Thanks to technology you can receive videos in minutes so you can see cars inside and out without getting of the sofa. But also buyer beware! Not all dealers are going to show the scuff on the bumper or the chip in the windscreen and never accept a video of a car in the rain. Water masks a multitude of problems.
Major Manufacturers: Standards are high if you are buying from a main dealer so you can expect everything to be in great condition. Prices reflect this service, but you are buying peace of mind and that is worth it for many people. Many of these companies now price match to competitors within a certain radius, so you can notice prices fluctuate within a few days on one car.
These companies are not exporters. They are not familiar with reclaiming VAT and not set up to export your car for you. As soon as the car is invoiced to you, you will not be able to reclaim the VAT. If you have already been talking to a dealer about a VAT qualifying car you are keen to buy, then get in touch & we will happily manage the purchase, VAT reclaim and export for you.
Estimating how much the car will cost:
VRT
VRT is a one off tax you pay when you first register a car in Ireland. The amount is based on the a % of the recommended retail price inc all taxes, known as the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP).
The Revenue provide a to help you to get a robust estimate of the VRT that would be due on a car.
If you want to cross check the estimate, then VRT Ireland also provides an online VRT calculator
You can also get a firm estimate of your total import costs. VRT Ireland also provide a car import costs calculator for vehicles being imported from the UK to Ireland. This calculates the VRT, CO2, VAT and Customs Duty and travel.
How to import a UK car VAT free
To get the best price, you should always buy a UK car VAT free. You used to be able to apply for your VAT reclaim yourself on proof of export. But this is now not possible. To buy you UK car VAT free, you need a VAT registered company in the UK to buy it on your behalf and they must then reclaim the VAT for you.
We always supply our clients with VAT qualifying cars which are eligible for the VAT reclaim. Our clients do not need to cover the VAT, we do that and reclaim it as a standard part of our car import service.
History check
We strongly recommend you run a background check on any car you are considering. This should tell you the following:
* Mileage checker: Cross check the mileage against the national mileage register.
* Chassis Number check: It will cross check the chassis number with the registration number.
* History of Theft
* Security watch
* Insurance: This should also tell you if the car has ever had any insurance claims on it. This will tell you if it has been in an accident, and the severity of the damage.
* Condition inspection
* Plate Transfer: A check whether a number plate has been transferred at some point in its life.
* Outstanding finance on the vehicle.
We use HPI car check and have also been recommended the AA car history check service.
Buying a car in the UK
If you are buying through an importer, they should be committing to a standard and doing these inspections for you. They will also to the legwork and collect and inspect your car before approving it as the quality you are expecting.
Sending Payment
Much easier than it used to be, the exchange rate can make a surprising difference. For large sums of money we’d recommend using a forex company and rather than your bank. For VAT free cars, your payment needs to go to the importer and not the seller of the car.
Collecting your car
If you are collecting your car yourself, don’t rush your inspection before you send the balance payment. And remember to check things like air conditioning, music system, electric mirrors, seat heaters and electric seat switches. It's easy to overlook a missing parcel shelf and don’t get caught out by the tyres. Not just the tread depth, but check you have a spare if the car is meant to and either a puncture repair kit including car jack or foam spray if your car doesn’t have run flat tyres.
Make sure you have got 2 keys, a locking wheel nut and the manufacturers book pack aswell as the service history, MOT and original V5 logbook.
Shipping UK cars to Ireland
If you are driving it home, catching the ferry from Liverpool is easy.
As an importer, we provide a collection and delivery service so you don’t need to leave Ireland. Talk to the team for details.
Advise the UK Authorities that you are importing a car into Ireland
V5C registration has a tear off section (section 4) which you send to the DVLA to notify them of the permanent export of your car.
Customs Declaration
You will need to complete a customs declaration for your car import to Ireland. The details of which are provided by the Revenue in the ECustoms Notification 33 / 2020
Register your car at the National Car Testing Service (NCTS)
Before you can take your car for registration, you must register the certificate of conformity with Revenue.
You must also have your car booked in at the NCTS within 7 days of arriving in Ireland for a VRT inspection.
This is a pre-registration inspection which verifies that your car matches the description in your V5C. You will need to declare the level of CO2 emissions as part of this process.
You can book the NCTS appointment online or call 01-4135975.
You need to register your car within 30 days of it entering Ireland. The BCT centres will contact revenue to make sure your chassis number (VIN number) is on the customs declaration before registration.
Documents you will need for registering your car:
* A completed Vehicle Purchase Details VRTVPD2 form if it is a vehicle for private (non- commercial) use
* The vehicle logbook (also called a V5C)
* The invoice with the date of purchase clearly shown
* A certificate of conformity (for new vehicles)
* Proof of your name and address
* Proof of your identity
* Proof of your PPS number
* An exemption certificate issued by Revenue if you are claiming an exemption from VRT
Paying the VRT on your UK car import
VRT is based on the CO2 emissions and the OMSP if your car. There are 20 VRT bands ranging from 7% to 37% so it’s worth checking the VRT you will be charged before you buy your car.
Tax on NOx emissions
A tax on Nitrogen Oxide was introduced in 2020 to tax higher emitting vehicles.
We advise you check the Revenue to get the current rates for VRT and NOx tax prior to you know you are receiving the most up to date information.
Getting new registration plates
After the NCTS appointment you will be given a receipt for the VRT payment. This receipt has the registration number given to your car and form RF100. These you will need for your motor tax. Now your car is no longer a UK car, you need to change the number plates.
Motor Tax and insurance
Once you pay the motor tax, insurance and have the plates transferred you it’s officially a road legal Irish car.
Motor Tax calculator
This helpful Motor Tax Calculator from the VRT website will help you estimate how much your car will incur.
Ready to import a car from the UK?
Common Questions
Will the manufactures warranty still be valid?
The major manufacturers mostly operate worldwide warranty and European warranties which vary between 2-3 years. Always check their websites prior to purchase.
Does the battery for an electric car come with warranty?
All high voltage batteries have a standard 8 year or 100,000 mile warranty in the UK. Always check the T&Cs prior to purchase.
Can I reclaim the VAT myself?
This used to be possible. We took advice from our chartered accountants and found that this is no longer possible. The VAT reclaim must be done by a VAT registered company in the UK. Which means that your car must be purchased by the VAT registered company on your behalf so they can reclaim it for you. We take care of the VAT reclaim and pass on the saving to you as a standard part of our car import service to Ireland.
