Do we buy now or later?
We are giving our Passat estate (2012) to our daughter when she returns from overseas in Sept. The question is: should we purchase our own preferred replacement car soon, when one comes up, leaving the Passat unused for a few months, or should we keep using the Passat and buy in September, when perhaps our favoured car may not be available?
Phil Tyndall (Clare)May 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Phil,
There's no definitive answer to that question, really – it's something you'll have to weigh up for yourself as only you know what car it is you want next. To buy that car now and leave the Passat lying idle would be an extra cost for sure, but obviously that's not the only consideration here.
Does this Scottish car avoid import duty?
Hi,
I bought a car in Northern Ireland. It is registered in GB, not Northern Ireland. I have shipping proof that the car was shipped from Scotland by the dealer in January 2025. Is this sufficient to not pay customs?
Many thanks
Michaela Brennan (MISS)May 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Michaela,
From that information, it sounds to me like you would have to pay customs duty on importing that car from Northern Ireland to the South.
Unless the dealer has proof that the car was imported from Scotland to the North according to the Windsor Framework, with customs duties paid, then it will be treated as coming from outside the 'customs union' and you will be liable for customs/import duty and VAT as well, on top of VRT and the NOx levy of course.
How best to bring my Scottish BMW to Ireland?
I have a BMW 530d, owned since new. It was bought in Scotland in 2018 and registered to a Scottish address ever since.
In 2023 it was registered in NI purely because I needed to get an MOT done and happened to be in NI at the time. Ever since it has had its MOT in Northern Ireland so therefore it's effectively an NI vehicle. But the V5 still has my Scotland address on it.
If I import this to Ireland, I understand I'll pay VRT (about €10k), customs duty (10 per cent of what?) and VAT (23 per cent of what?). I still have my UK address, and I just want to know is there any way to navigate this or should I just sell it in the UK and buy something that's been in NI since 2021 from a dealer?
No idea what to do!
Niall (Netherlands )May 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Niall,
If you're looking to move to Ireland with the car, then you're likely eligible for a Transfer Of Residence (TOR) exemption for all taxes relating to importing it. Take a look at Revenue's Transfer of residence page for full information.
For what it's worth, customs duty is calculated as 10 per of the so-called Customs Value, which is made up of the purchase price, the cost of shipping and the insurance for the shipping.
VAT is then 23 per cent of the total when you add the calculated customs duty to the customs value.
Do all Peugeot PureTech engines have wet-belt issues?
I want to know about the timing belt issues in Peugeot's 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine. Do all cars have the same issues?
Ann (Ireland )May 2025 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Ann,
The issue with early PureTech petrol engines is well documented. They use what's called a “wet belt”, which means the timing belt actually runs in oil. Most timing belts do not. Unfortunately, many of these engines have reportedly suffered from premature timing belt degradation. This can lead to lots of other engine issues caused by the presence of bits of the timing belt in the oil system. This did not affect every example of the engine, though.
In an attempt to fix the issue, there was a change to the material used in the timing belt from about 2021.
Aside from that, using the correct oil at service time is key, and perhaps shortening the time between oil services is to be advised. Likewise, we'd urge owners to change the timing belt a little earlier than the official interval.
Is the 2006 Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi a good car?
Aubril (Dans La Manche 50)I would like to buy a 2006 Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi estate. Is it a good car?
Thank you.
May 2025 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Aubril,
The Focus estate in general is pretty decent, but the 1.8-litre diesel engine was not Ford's finest hour and unless it has verified low mileage and/or a detailed service history showing regular oil changes, it's best to look for an alternative. The 1.6-litre diesel is a far superior engine from Ford, for example.
Where to get an up-to-date car handbook?
Any idea where you can get an up-to-date handbook for a car? I have only been able to find for the previous model. Video tutorials are average to say the least.
Treavie (Newport Wales)May 2025 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Treavie,
Many car makers now supply these for free online. If you can't find yours then perhaps get in touch with your local dealer and see if they can help out.
Let us know which year, make and model you are looking for and we will take a look for you as well.
How to import a new camper from the North?
Greetings,
Can you let me know the position of buying a new motorhome from the sole Irish dealership who is based in NI, if I am resident in the Republic of Ireland, and bringing it into the RoI? Does the fact that the motorhome is from a French manufacturer add further complication? I'm not clear on additional issues or costs of doing this.
Very best
Tilly Hoskins (RoI)May 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Tilly,
The fact the vehicle is French makes no difference to the situation.
I can confirm that no customs duty will be payable, though you should still make a customs declaration before bringing the vehicle south of the border.
Irish VAT, at 23 per cent of the total sale price, will be payable. However, the Northern Irish dealer should be able to zero-rate the sale – i.e. not charge you UK VAT.
The other large fee will be VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax), which is calculated as 13.3 per cent of the OMSP. That's the Open Market Selling Price according to Revenue in Ireland. It is not directly related to the purchase price, but the value Revenue believes the vehicle to be worth after importation.
I'd suggest you give the Northern Irish dealer a call and talk it through, as they're likely to have gone through this process many times already.
Do let us know how you get on.
There's no transport invoice if driving an import from the North...
What if a car is driven from Northern Ireland to ROI? There will be no transport invoice...
Terry (ROi)May 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Terry,
That's absolutely correct, but Revenue will want some other form of proof of the date of entry, so keep receipts for fuel and tolls, etc.
Do front parking sensors activate automatically?
When parking behind another car do you need to put the car into reverse before your front sensors will work to alert you how close you are?
Catherine Gallagher (Ashbourne)May 2025 Filed under: parking
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
That varies by car actually. Some do operate like that, which is not ideal, where as others just warn you when a nearby object is detected, front or rear, regardless of which gear you are in.
Will there be VAT and import duty on this MG HS from the North?
Hi,
I am trying to find out if an MG HS Trophy PHEV for sale in Belfast in Northern Ireland would be considered according to this: “A vehicle that has previously been in use in NI can be registered for Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) in the State without liability to additional Customs Duties and import Value-Added Tax (VAT).”
It is an ex-demo car that is being sold as “used”. It was registered in Northern Ireland by the dealer 17 October 2024 and so is over six months old. Am I right in thinking it is not subject to VAT, and if so, will the V5C showing the date of registration in Northern Ireland be enough to register the car for VRT?
Yours sincerely
Mark Latimer (Dublin)Apr 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
If, as it seems from your description, the dealer registered that car new in Northern Ireland, then I can confirm that you will have no VAT or customs duty payable on importation.