Do I have to keep my imported car for a year?

I got a letter of exemption to change my British registered car to an Irish registered one, but now I have a problem with as I want to trade it in against another, but there's a restriction by Revenue. How do I get over this?

Stella Evbakhavbokun (DUBLIN)

Jul 2019 Filed under: importing

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Expert answer

Hi Stella,

There isn’t really a way around it, I’m afraid. According to Revenue, the rules say that once you have imported a car with a change of address, and been exempt from paying Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT), then you have to keep and use the car for at least 12 months after, or the full amount of the VRT will have to be paid. If you have exceptional circumstances, you could try contacting Revenue and pleading your case, but in general where VRT is concerned, rules are rules and that’s that.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Advisor
@neilmbriscoe