Expert answer

Hi JJ,

I believe the two-tone finish is exclusive to the Edition-R model. That's still listed on the Mazda Ireland configurator so it may be possible to buy one. Contact your local Mazda dealer to enquire.

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Hi David,

If you are buying a used car from a garage in Northern Ireland that originally came from Great Britain, the key question is whether it has been properly customs-cleared into Northern Ireland. In your case, the garage has confirmed that it used the Trader Support Service (TSS) to bring the car in, and it has the paperwork to show that. That means the car is considered to be in 'free circulation' in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.

When you purchase it from the NI garage and bring it into the Republic, you will not have to pay Irish VAT or customs duty, even though the car is still on GB plates. What you will have to pay is Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) and, if applicable, the NOx levy when registering the car through the NCTS system, as you mentioned.

The important thing is to ensure you receive and keep the TSS documentation from the garage, as Revenue can ask to see it when you register the car. Without that proof, Irish VAT and customs charges could potentially be applied.

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Hi Tricia,

So long as you can prove that the car was in Northern Ireland for that time and in use there, even if it was as a fleet car, then no VAT or import/customs duty should be payable.

As an electric car, assuming it's now worth less than €40,000 in Ireland, it should also be VRT-free.

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Hi Eve,

First up, the car must be registered in Ireland much sooner than that after arrival - it's supposed to be done within 30 days.

There are a few UK companies that allow customers buy decent warranties, but moving the car to another country and re-registering it is likely to invalidate such a thing. You could try calling them up to check. Warrantywise is one of the better-known firms.

In Ireland, there don't appear to be as many options. MAPFRE provides such warranties to its business clients to offer their customers when they buy their cars, but does not deal directly with individual owners. Car Simple does sell warranties to individuals, but only for cars that are under eight years old, so they wouldn't cover your car.

Best bet is to talk directly to one of the UK providers to get a steer on whether the car can remain under warranty when you move it to Ireland.

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Hi Martin,

Assuming the car has been in the North for its life (or at least a significant portion of it), and that you can prove that, then no import/customs duty will be payable, and neither will VAT.

If the value of the car (according to Revenue that is, not the price you pay for it) is under €40,000, then the VRT rebate will cover all VRT as well so potentially there is no tax at all - other than motor tax after registration of course.

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Hi Feilim,

You can certainly estimate the VRT payable, but that's all it will be. And you'll need proof of the car's CO₂ emissions as well.

With the CO₂ rating, go to our How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland feature and find the corresponding VRT band. I'd assume it'll be in Band 7 or 8. Let's say 8 for the calculations.

Then you'll need to estimate the OMSP (Open Market Selling Price) of the car in Ireland. This is the value Revenue believes it to be worth after registration in Ireland.

You've not told us the year so we can't do that for you. I suggest going to Carzone.ie to find similar spec cars to yours and taking the average price as a rough estimate.

From those two things you can then estimate your VRT. Beware it will only be that, though, an estimate.

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Hi Conor,

That recall won't apply to every version of the cars listed sold in every country. 

According to the RSA recalls website, it only applies to two Skoda models sold in Ireland, produced between 2012 and 2014.

You can call your local Skoda dealer if you wish to check that of course.

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Hi Siobhan,

I don't think you'll have an issue with Revenue in Ireland when importing a car on which finance is owing, even if you're using the Transfer of Residence process. However, it's very likely against the terms of the car finance in the first place. You usually can't take a car out of the country until the finance has been paid in full and you own the car outright. 

Check your finance paperwork before making any decision would be our advice.

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Hi Elizabeth,

On such a new vehicle, which presumably has a full service history and part of its new-car warranty in place, there aren't many 'cons' we can think of. That's assuming you have access to the car's history and that it has been registered in Ireland already by the dealer.

Ask for all the documentation showing when it was registered and for the full service history, etc. 

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

Gowan Auto, the Citroen distributor for Ireland, has confirmed that there are no plans to import the Holidays at this stage.