Expert answer

Hi Ion,

If you can prove to Revenue that the van has been used in the North for a "reasonable period of time" then you should not be liable for VAT or customs duty, just VRT.

Then amount of VRT payable depends on whether the Vito in question is deemed to be category B or C. If it's B, the VRT is 13.3 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price (as determined by Revenue after the NCTS inspection), but if it's C, the VRT is a flat rate of €200.

You'll need to check the precise definition of the van.

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Hi James,

The regular hybrid version will be here in February, but the plug-in-hybrid model will be a few months later.

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Hi Vincent,

As we've not had to avail of the warranty it's not very easy for us to judge it. Thankfully, MG has published a detailed statement on its warranty so I suggest you take the time to read through it at your leisure to make sure you're happy with it.

And whatever car you end up buying, I suggest you print out a copy of the warranty statement at the time of buying the car so you have it as proof later on if needs be.

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Hi Liam.

I believe you'll be ok, as the car should be assessed as is, but you really should ring Revenue for yourself to double-check that rather than take our word for it.

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Hi Frank,

If Ford won't play ball in giving you a CoC with all the details on it, then next step is perhaps to try to find the information on an officially recognised UK website, such as this one from the Vehicle Certification Agency. If you can find your exact car on there, that should be accepted, but we strongly urge you to talk to Revenue ahead of the NCTS inspection about the documentation you have to hand. 

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Hi Richard,

I'm afraid not. We asked Opel Ireland for confirmation.

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Hi Pat,

VRT first as that's an easy one - no matter where it's coming from, as it's over 30 years old, VRT will be just €200.

No NOx levy applies.

I'm assuming the car is not coming from Northern Ireland, but if it is, and it has been in Northern Ireland a long time, then there will be no further charges other than the VRT outlined above.

Coming from England, Scotland or Wales, there will be VAT at 23 per cent due, unfortunately. This is calculated on the customs duty (bear with me) plus the 'customs value', which is generally accepted to be the purchase price, plus the transport costs, plus the insurance costs.

There may actually be no customs duty if the car was manufactured in the UK, though you'll have to prove that. If not, it'll be 10 per cent of the customs value above.

Hopefully that all makes sense

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Hi Solomon,

I'm afraid there has been no announcement yet. We would be surprised if the Jaecoo and Omoda brands don't arrive at some stage in 2026, though.

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Hi Frank,

There's nothing stopping you importing a car from the UK regardless of where it was made, though there are potential savings so long as you can prove the car and most of its components were made there.

That's potentially tricky to do, as the car would have to qualify as UK-origin goods under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

All it saves is the import duty, however, typically 10 per cent of the customs value. You'd still have to pay VRT (including the NOx levy, potentially) and VAT if it's coming from England, Scotland or Wales.

Expert answer

Hi Ian,

Yes, we believe so given the information provided. You will have to prove that the car was registered/in use in Northern Ireland for that duration, so gather as much paperwork as you can.