Is this VRT calculation correct on a Maserati from the North?
If the car from Northern Ireland is €15,000 and I have to pay 41 per cent open market value in VRT, that makes it €21,000 - is that correct?
Thanks very much
Gerrit Van Der Vegt (Blarney, Co. Cork)Feb 2025 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Gerrit,
Unfortunately, that's not likely to be correct. The Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) is something that Revenue in Ireland come up with, based on what they believe the car to be worth in Ireland. It rarely is directly related to the amount you pay for the car in the North.
You'll need to take a look around the Irish classifieds to see if you can find similar cars for sale already registered in Ireland. That will give you a rough approximation of the OMSP. Then you apply the 41 per cent to that. Even so, Revenue's figure might be dramatically different - especially on such a rare car.
Why are Irish Kia EV3 specs different to the UK's?
Have you any idea why the Kia EV3 top range GT Line-S is not available here or why the (no additional €600 cost) Sunset Orange colour is not offered to Irish customers?
Ed Kearney (Wexford)Feb 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ed,
We put your question to Kia Ireland and it pointed out that it has no association with Kia UK - where the GT-line S is a regular trim level - and it decides its own trims lines and paint colours based on demand from Irish buyers.
VRT on importing a 2013 BMW 530d?
What would be VRT on a Northern Ireland BMW 530d? Nov 2013 is the year of the car.
Paul OConnor (Carlow)Feb 2025 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
We need two things to estimate the VRT (and please note that we can only provide an estimate, and you need to take all factors into account for yourself). First is the CO2 emissions rating to determine the VRT band. That will vary from model to model, even for a single variant such as the 530d.
Our data shows that car has an NEDC CO2 rating of around 139g/km, but Revenue will ‘uplift’ that using its formula in a bid to make it comparable to WLTP-rated cars. That means it considers it to have CO2 emissions of about 172g/km on importation.
This means Band 19 for VRT at 35 per cent.
That’s 35 per cent of the OMSP, the Open Market Selling Price as determined by Revenue, which is not always very easy to guess at, but a quick look at Irish classifieds suggests in and around €18,000, meaning VRT of €6,300.
Don’t forget you’ll be liable for the NOx levy as well, which will be high for that car.
Can Irish buyers get car finance in the UK?
We are Irish residents and want to buy a car from the UK. Do UK companies provide finance for those living in Ireland?
Joanne (Ireland )Feb 2025 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Joanne,
No, we don’t think that would be possible unless you have a place of residence in the UK as well as here that the transaction could be done through. Also, it’s likely to violate the terms of any car finance agreement to take it out of the country and register it in another one - which you would have to do to use the car in Ireland.
Should I buy a Mazda CX-80?
Thanks for your replies to my earlier questions. I have read your review of your experience of the Mazda CX-80. You reference the suspension and use the words “crash and bang” - this is probably the most damning description of a car’s suspension I have ever read. If I test drive this car it will be in a short distance of the garage on good roads, but your review is no doubt more comprehensive and professional. Overall, your review is very positive I feel! Thanks for your replies and if you feel that I have got the wrong end of the stick please correct me.
Regards
Tony Cahill (Dublin)Feb 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
Happy to help someone find the car that suits them.
I suspect you’ve focused a little too much on one of the few negative things Neil said about the car’s suspension in that review, and I should point out that the “crash and bang” words were used specifically in conjunction with “when tackling rough-edged surfaces.” I myself spent a few weeks in the CX-80 on Irish roads in December, including driving on poorly surfaced country roads and found it generally to be excellent. Rough surfaces can make themselves felt, but no more than in any competitor vehicles.
Have you driven the new Mazda CX-80?
Have you driven the new Mazda CX-80 yet, or will you be doing so soon?
Tony Cahill (Dublin)Feb 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
We have indeed. Take a look at our Mazda CX-80 reviews page for the written and video reviews.
We've also since driven the car on Irish roads, so come back to us if you have specific questions not answered in the review.
Can you help calculate the VAT on a UK import?
Thank you for your reply.
You say that the 23 per cent VAT to be paid on the car being imported from the UK is based on the customs value which according to Revenue includes the purchase price. Does this mean the purchase price I paid in the UK and the customs value reflects the UK purchase price or is the 23 per cent VAT based on the customs value or purchase price of the car in Ireland?
Apologies but when I read up on it, it does not state if it's UK or Irish customs value or purchase price so it's a little confusing and I don't want to end up buying a car and be hit with a huge VAT invoice.
If you could break it down that would be great. So, I take a flight to UK, buy the car for £11,500 (or €13,610.77) and drive it back myself using the ferry. What VAT is due? I know import customs duty is 10 per cent, I'm just stuck on VAT.
Kind regards
Michael (Dublin)Jan 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
VAT at 23 per cent is charged on the customs value, which as I mentioned before includes the purchase price (in the UK), the cost of transport and insurance, plus customs duties.
In your case, the purchase price is €13,610.77, which means customs duties of €1,361.08 (10 per cent). To those you’ll have to add the transport and insurance costs to bring the car back - i.e. your ferry fare. Let’s say €200. All that adds up to €15,171.85 as the customs value. The VAT should then be 23 per cent of that, or €3,489.53.
Please double check our calculations and take this as guidance only.
What does Revenue base the VAT calculation on?
Thank you for your previous reply.
In relation to your previous answer to my question regarding importing a car from the UK, can you please advise on the following question related to VAT:
Is the 23 per cent VAT to be paid on the car calculated from the purchase price paid for the car in the UK or is it on the Irish OMSP value of the car?
Please advise
Michael (Dublin)Jan 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
VAT at 23 per cent is charged on the ‘customs value’ of the car, which, according to Revenue is “the purchase price, plus the cost of transport and insurance, plus any Customs Duties payable”. It has nothing to do with the OMSP (Open Market Selling Price).
Can I sell a pickup to an Irish buyer with no VAT?
Hi,
I’m selling my Toyota pickup and I live in England. The vehicle was bought brand new by me including VAT . It for sale now and someone in southern Ireland wants to buy it. He’s saying I don’t have to charge him VAT if he gives me his VAT number and zero rate the VAT. Is this the case? The pickup is £42,499 plus VAT. He want to come over to England to pick it up and take it back to Ireland.
John Halpin (Grimsby )Jan 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi John,
That is all correct so long as certain conditions are met. You can check the validity of the Irish VAT number at the European Commission’s VIES VAT number validation page for a start.
You will also need proof from the buyer that the vehicle has been exported. Without that you may be liable to pay VAT on the sale to the UK government, even if you never actually charged the seller VAT.
And overriding all of this of course is the assumption that you are selling the vehicle as a VAT-registered entity with a VAT invoice. It would not apply to a private sale.
How much is the BYD Sealion 7?
How much is the BYD Sealion 7?
Richard Foy (Dublin)Jan 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Richard,
We don't yet have Irish pricing for it. Keep an eye on our review of the car as we will update it as soon as BYD Ireland confirms the price.