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Can a NI car dealer sell a car VAT-free to an Irish buyer?
Hi,
I was just reading your article Guide to Importing a Car from Northern Ireland, and I have a question about UK VAT.
Here's the hypothetical situation: a customer in the Republic identifies a car online in the North, priced at £30k. Now, this price includes UK VAT of £6k (20 per cent). Can that car be sold to the customer in the Republic for £24k?
I understand there is VRT to be paid upon import but no Irish VAT. But I'm just not sure on the UK VAT element of the equation.
Thanks a lot
Alan Furlong (Dublin)
Sep 2025 Filed under: importing
Is it easy to bring my car with me moving from NI to ROI?
I bought a car in N.I. just two years ago. I am now planning to live in the Republic of Ireland. Any advice please on bringing the car with me and registering it in R.O.I.?
Many thanks
John Hone (Tyrone)
Sep 2025 Filed under: importing
How to register my off-the-road Defender in Ireland?
I moved to Ireland in 2016 and came with a 1990 Defender County (12 seats). This developed problems at the end of the journey (gearbox) and I declared it off road in the UK and it has been parked up ever since. What would be required in order to register it in Ireland? It would require a chassis and bulkhead at minimum to be road legal.
Iain (Co Cork)
Sep 2025 Filed under: importing
I'm going to register my UK vehicles at a friend's in the North...
Hi,
I have a 1991 Lotus Elan 1600 SE, bought for £8,000 sterling in June 2024. It's on mainland UK plates but eventually I wish to get it ROI registered. I have a colleague who lives in NI who is happy for me to register the car in his name and address for as many months as needed to comply with the Windsor protocol.
How do I go about doing this and what UK customs forms do I need to have in addition to the V5, a new NI MOT etc? I also wish to do similar with a 2017 motorhome I'm considering buying.
Chris Hayward (Kinsale Cork)
Sep 2025 Filed under: importing
Are Japanese imports impossible to insure?
I was thinking of buying a Japanese import but didn't in the end as I couldn't get an insurance quote. It seems to me Irish insurance companies won't insure Japanese imports which I think is crazy. My question is, why won't Irish insurance companies insure Japanese import cars?
Sean Fallon (Wexford)
Sep 2025 Filed under: insurance
PPF on the Porsche 911 Spirit 70?
PPF or no PPF on the Spirit 70? Will PPF cause a halo effect over the decals or change the sheen on the decals? Would you have PPF installed on it if it were yours?
Grant Collins (Boone,NC)
Sep 2025 Filed under: aftermarket
Which new EV for up to €45,000?
Your recommendation for a new electric car please: mid-sized, suitable for four-five long-distance trips per year, otherwise light city driving. Comfort and performance a priority and also range.
William O'Brien (Rathmines, Dublin)
Sep 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Where to get NOx data for a Japanese VW T-Roc?
I am working on importing a car from Japan. I'm looking at a 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc 2.0 diesel. Code is 3DA-A1DFF. The exact car code (3DA-A1DFF) shows up on a VRT check on ROS, therefore someone has previously imported one from Japan.
Where can I get NOx data as this figure would be crucial when importing a diesel T-Roc? I am finding it difficult to get NOx data for this model from the Japanese MLIT website. Will Volkswagen Europe provide this information for me, and will this be acceptable for VRT purposes?
I look forward to hearing from you.
James (Dublin )
Sep 2025 Filed under: importing
Can I tax a Hilux commercially for towing horses?
I want to buy a Toyota Hilux, purely for towing a horsebox. I have a car already in my name that will remain as my day-to-day get around. I am floored at the thought of paying over €1,000 tax per year for something that will only be used at the weekends and the odd job of bringing hay and feed up from the co-op.
Is there any way I can commercially tax this? I have an equine herd number and am one of probably the few genuine cases where I will only be using it with a horsebox attached.
Carthach McCarthy (Cork)
Sep 2025 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Downfalls of a 2004 Toyota Corolla?
Downfalls of a 2004 Toyota Corolla?
Imeraan Mohamed (South Africa )
Sep 2025 Filed under: reliability
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