Send us your motoring question in the form below
What paperwork is needed to import a car from the North?
Hi,
I recently bought a car in NI. Registered in my name, just waiting on papers. But I live in Republic of Ireland and want to register there. How does this work? What papers will I need?
Thanks
Erika (Navan)
Jul 2025 Filed under: importing
Do I pay VAT on importing a car from Northern Ireland?
Hi,
I would like to know if I have to pay VAT if I import a used vehicle from Northern Ireland into the Republic.
Do I need to pay extra tax due to Brexit?
Christine (Tralee)
Jul 2025 Filed under: importing
Can I import a Land Rover Defender as a commercial?
I am looking to import a Land Rover Defender 110 or 90 from the UK as they are significantly cheaper over there. I however do not want to pay a huge amount of VRT. Can it be brought in as a two-seat commercial and only pay the €333 rate?
Alex Ryan (Dublin )
Jul 2025 Filed under: importing
Can I import this VW Golf from the North VAT-free?
Hi,
I am going to buy a car from a second-hand dealer in NI. The car was previously in use in mainland UK. The dealer says he has paid the VAT and that they have an exemption to sell to the Republic, customs and duty free. The car is a 2020 Volkswagen Golf.
Do I have to pay VAT if I buy it and bring it across the border?
Hugh McDonald (Kilnaleck)
Jul 2025 Filed under: importing
Can I avoid VRT and VAT importing a Toyota Hilux?
Hi,
I am considering importing a 211 Toyota Hilux from Northern Ireland. I am not VAT-registered. My wife is originally from the North and her parents still live there. I have previously imported a car from the UK in 2019 and paid VRT, and last year we were successful in importing my wife's car from the North without paying VRT, as she met the criteria.
Just wondering is there any way for me to avoid VRT or VAT, or both somehow? Maybe using her parents, some way.
Any thoughts or ideas would be great.
Thanks
Derek (Kildare )
Jul 2025 Filed under: importing
Looking at a 2025 car to import from the North...
Hi,
I'm looking at importing a car from Northern Ireland. It has an NI registration from new, was registered in February 2025, and has done 6,500 miles. As far as I can tell, the dealership never sold the car to a private buyer, but it was used as a demo, and by garage staff, etc. Can you tell me whether this car would be liable for VAT and customs duty, as well as VRT?
Thanks,
John
John Sheehan (Dublin)
Jul 2025 Filed under: importing
What's the V3 document reference number on a UK logbook?
A Republic of Ireland buyer wants to buy my car located in the north of Ireland. They are asking for a V3 number on a log book. What is this? And is this necessary for the sale for them to bring the car over?
Jess
Jul 2025 Filed under: importing
Looking to import a camper from Northern Ireland...
Hi,
I am looking to buy a camper in NI. The camper has been registered in NI for over two years. When looking at your article on this, I will not have to pay any VAT nor customs duties. Is that correct?
Also, I am unsure what the NOx levy is and how to calculate it. The camper is a 2014 2.2-litre diesel.
Would you be able to give an indication on the NOx levy for this kind of vehicle please?
Rene (Waterford)
Jul 2025 Filed under: importing
Benefits of importing a VAT-qualifying car from the UK?
Hi,
What's the benefit of buying a VAT-qualifying car in the UK? Will they sell to me VAT-free if I am VAT-registered in ROI?
Thank you
James O'Hare (Dundalk)
Jun 2025 Filed under: importing
How much to import a 2017 VW Tiguan from the North?
How much to import a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan from Northern Ireland? Vehicle has always been in the North from new.
Anne Walker
Jun 2025 Filed under: importing
Top Categories
5,291 Irish motoring queries answered to date
On CompleteCar.ie there is no such thing as a silly question. No matter how small or complicated an issue seems, we'll do our best to help. Our experts will quickly answer your queries in a friendly and jargon-free manner.
Please remember that we offer advice, not gospel. We cannot be held responsible for recalls, a second hand car's history, 'acts of God', changes in car pricing or Government policy. We are here to help and offer independent, impartial and free advice. What you do with it is entirely up to you.
By submitting a question you are agreeing to this statement. Thank you.
CompleteCar.ie aims to be compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), implemented on 25 May, 2018. At no stage shall we contact you without your express permission (by entering your email address, you are consenting for us to send you emails relating directly to your question).
Your data will never be shared with a third party and it is kept in a secure database on our servers, with limited personnel access.
You have the right to have your data deleted at any time and also to get a copy of your data on file. For any related queries, please send us a message using the form on the Who we are page.