Which taxes on importing a new BMW 530e?
Hello
I am based in Dublin and willing to buy a 2024 BMW 530e (plug-in hybrid) from Northern Ireland. Will I have to pay VRT, VAT and import fees or only VRT?
Thank you
Michael Mousa (Dublin)Oct 2024 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
So long as the BMW was imported into Northern Ireland properly and used there by a private individual before you import it south, then you should only be liable for the VRT and NOx levy. But you will need the paperwork to prove all of that.
Read our Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland#mce_temp_url# for more details
Do I need to register my car in Northern Ireland?
Have recently moved to NI from GB. Couldn't MOT my car (long wait and couldn't do the online queue thing as it was not recognised as a NI car, having not been MOT'd there before). So - took it back to GB, MOT'd it and now want to bring it back to NI. Should I get an import form or something, so it is recognised as an NI car now? Confusingly, we are sailing into Dublin and then driving it North for complicated reasons... will that matter? Had the car a year. Can you help - I am so confused!
Alix Wood (Enniskillen)May 2024 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Alix,
If you are bringing the car back in yourself there is no paperwork necessary. Your insurance will presumably be in the North, indicating that the car is there. Keep proof of your ferry as well for future reference, but there's nothing else to do at this stage.
EV or hybrid with €50,000 to spend?
Hi there,
My parents are in the market for a new car (sub €50k). They like the height of the crossovers/SUVs and are interested in a hybrid or electric model. They do about 18k km per annum, mostly on country roads, and the odd road trip to Dublin (300km each way). Wondering would you recommend full EV (Skoda Enyaq) or hybrid (Peugeot 3008 &and VW Tiguan)?
Many thanks,
Michael, Ennis
Michael Sweeney (Tulla)Feb 2022 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
So long as they have off-street parking and are willing to get a charger installed at home, then I'd suggest that a full-on electric car will suit them. For that outlay, there are loads of good options to consider:
Is it ok to keep a UK car here during lockdown?
Hi guys,
My daughter drove home to Dublin from London last October in her UK-registered car. It has been sitting on the road outside the house since then, she drives around occasionally to keep the battery up. She is still here because of the lockdown here and in London. My neighbour has said that if someone reports the car to Customs that they can take it off her and she will have to pay import duty to get it back. She has owned it more than six months. It is her intention that if we and the UK EVER get out of lockdown that she will drive back to London.
She has no money as a result of Covid and is on the Covid payment and came home because she could not afford her rent in London. My husband and myself have been in lockdown for over a year now, we are just not able for the worry of this. Have you any advice please? We do not have a driveway big enough to take this car.
Regards Helen
Helen ONeill (Dublin)Mar 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Helen,
OK, first off there’s nothing to be concerned about. People who are temporarily resident in Ireland are allowed to bring their cars with them, and not have to re-register or fully import them for as long as 12 months. There are no forms to fill out, you just have to be able to show proof of address, purchase, tax, and insurance when and if you’re asked. Students who are studying in Ireland can keep cars with them for the duration of their studies, even if that exceeds 12 months, so there are clearly generally lenient rules when it comes to this. Given that your daughter is (a) intending to return to the UK when it is safe to do so and (b) effectively sheltering with you because of the pandemic, I wouldn’t be too concerned about having the car taken away nor anything like it.
Really, the only issue that would arise is if your daughter wanted to sell the car here, but if she’s going to keep it, I would say you’ve not much to worry about.
Looking for outright comfort in a car...
I am trying to identify the car that will provide the best possible ride quality for my wife who suffers from chronic pain due to multiple injuries.
So far she has found an Audi A3 and Audi A4 too hard, a Mercedes A 220 much better but with a seat that pushes her neck forward, a Volvo V40 R-Design with the best seat for her so far but too harsh a ride.
Perhaps you cannot say precisely what brand and model of car might be more suitable but the factors that overall might offer the best solution. Under consideration at the moment are a Volvo XC40 or XC60 and a Subaru Forester.
Thanks.
Seamus - Dublin 14
Seamus Connolly (Dublin 14)Mar 2021 Filed under: comfort
Expert answer
Hi Seamus,
This is obviously a tricky decision, and we wish your wife all the best in coping with this. When it comes to ride quality, the most important factors are the stiffness, overall, of the suspension, the size of the wheels, and the sidewall depth of the tyres. Basically, smaller wheels and normal suspension is the rule of thumb if you’re trying to get a car with a soft ride quality.
SUVs are actually generally quite bad for ride quality. That sounds counter-intuitive, because of course they’re taller and have longer-travel suspension, but the problem is that the springs and dampers have to be stiffened up to prevent the higher centre of gravity from inducing too much body roll. I would therefore suggest that keeping away from SUVs would be a good bet.
That said, the Subaru Forester you’ve mentioned below does indeed have a soft ride quality, again as long as you avoid the larger alloy wheel options. Ditto the smaller Subaru XV, which is helpfully lower to the ground and can get away with slightly softer suspension rates. Citroen, of course, is famed for having pillowy-soft ride quality, and the current C5 Aircross is pretty soft and springy, and has great seats into the bargain. You should definitely look at a Toyota Camry as well (very soft, and again with great seats) and the Skoda Superb.
Avoid anything that has a sporty designation (S line, R-Line, M Sport etc) as that will almost automatically have stiffer springs and bigger wheels.
Hope that helps. Below are links to our reviews of the cars mentioned above:
Can I buy a Citroen Ami here?
Hi there.
I have been reading about the Citroen AMI all electric vehicle and am very interested in purchasing one. Citroen Ireland tells me it has no plans to market the vehicle here. I am wondering how our department would treat this vehicle; as an electric car? Or quadricycle? Would Revenue want a cut for importing a vehicle? VAT and VRT? Purchase price is circa €6,000 in France and you can buy one online. I don't have the finances to buy a "Normal" electric vehicle where the cheapest seems to be in the €25K region. Would the Department of Transport want road tax, log book, registration fees etc?
Any pointers you might offer would be appreciated.
John Ryan. Dublin 12
John Ryan (Dublin 12)Feb 2021 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi John,
Citroen is currently reviewing options on potentially introducing the Ami to Ireland in the future. Initially the car was only to be produced in left-hand drive, but this is now being reconsidered due to high levels of interest in the car from the UK market. If the car was to be officially sold here it would be liable for the applicable VAT and VRT rates and would require motor tax and insurance, in the same way that the Renault Twizy does. These would also apply if you were to privately import one.
I have a car in the UK for my sister...
I am living in the UK and bought a car in London on behalf of my sister in Dublin with a view to transfer before Brexit hits. For a variety of reasons I had to register the car initially in my name. On completing the sale the dealer mentions "oh by the way due to COVID, DVLA will take six weeks to get the new V5 logbook to you"!
So, can she arrange to have it shipped to Dublin before I get the V5 (so it arrives in Ireland before 1st Jan 2021 to avoid any potential customs tariff if no-deal Brexit)? What happens if I can't get the V5 to her before her 30 days to sort the VRT expires (as now seems likely)? I do have a copy of the previous one with CO2 and NOX figures. Will she struggle to insure it without the V5 in her name? I have a bad feeling this will not end well!
Any advice appreciated.
Peter Dupont (LONDON)Dec 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
I don't think you need to massively worry about any of this as, even if you can get the car here before the end of the year, it's the date that it's registered that counts with regards to VRT and other charges. And it will be impossible to get an appointment to have the car inspected for VRT purposes before the end of the year now.
I don't think it will be an issue getting insurance, but it's best that your sister talk to the insurer to ensure they know the situation.
Should I stick with BMW diesel for now?
I drive 65,000km a year, mostly to Dublin, Cork and Galway and Dublin Airport. I have owned four 520d M Sports and on average get 40mpg. I am changing again and very interested in hybrid and considering a 530e M Sport with 26,000km on it. I change the car about every 15 months as I do high mileage and would like to go greener but running costs are my main concern. Currently I get the VAT back on diesel as I am VAT registered. I'm conscious that we will eventually have to go this way and wondering should I make that move now. What do you think?
Howard Simpson (Ballymoe)Dec 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Howard,
If I were you, I'd stick with diesel for now. Assuming that, with such high mileage, you won't have time to plug the car in to charge it up regularly, the 530e won't get near the 520d's average economy. Once the battery charge is used up, you're effectively driving a heavy petrol car. The fact you're VAT-registered and can claim back the VAT on the diesel is another reason to stick with it for now.
Yes, electrification is coming to all cars, but we don't believe it suits all motorists just yet. The beauty of you changing your car every 15 months is that you can react quite quickly to changes in taxation and new model launches.
I have €4,000 to buy my first car...
Hi,
I'm a student from Dublin looking to buy my first car. Budget is small, around €4,000. Obviously a small engine will be cheaper insurance-wise and grand for driving in Dublin, but I would be driving to Ennis and back once or twice a month (500km ish). Is a 1.0-litre too small,? Should iIlook for something bigger?
Mark Boyle (Ballymoe)Dec 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
OK, we’ve found a few cars that meet both your budget and your small engine requirement, and can pretty easily handle the hack to Ennis and back.
All small car searches should start with a Fiat 500 — looks cool, is fun to drive, costs buttons to run and no they’re not unreliable.
Want something a bit more conventional? You should be able to track down a 2009-ish Ford Fiesta with the 1.25 engine. Terrific all-rounder.
If you want something cheaper to run, there’s the Kia Picanto (circa 2010), which has a peppy enough 1.0 to be able to cope with the Ennis run.
Or finally a Toyota Yaris, with that brilliant 1.0 VVTi engine, would make a hugely sensible choice, but you’ll have to go for an older one to stay on budget — 2008 or thereabouts.
Would I qualify for PCP?
I am hoping to get car finance. I left a permanent primary teaching job of 18 years in Dublin and moved to the country. I am now on a fixed term contract but will have no problem securing another job next September. My job now requires me to drive to work so I need a reliable vehicle. I have an 03 Toyota that I would hope to trade in for scrappage. I don’t wish to use a guarantor to apply for a loan from credit union/banks. Would I qualify for PCP as I am debt-free and a homeowner since 2007? I could also provide a deposit of €2,000/3,000.
Thanks
Ann Horan (Cork)Oct 2020 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Ann,
As every case is different and every lender will have their own criteria, we're not in a position to say for certain if you'd qualify for PCP, but I suspect you wouldn't have too much of an issue.