Can I get an NI dealer to import a car for me?
Hi,
Great article 'Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland'. I'm looking to import a used car (older than two years) from NI to ROI but as the NI market is very limited in stock for the make/model I'm looking for the car would need to originally come from GB (bigger market, more choice).
With the latest Revenue guidelines on 'Vehicles that were not previously in use in NI', in theory is there any downside (legally or financially) to me asking an NI dealer to buy a specific car from a GB dealer on my behalf but in the dealer's name, import it to NI under the Windsor Framework and sell the car to me for import to ROI and give me a copy of the NI Customs Declaration?
Do I understand correctly from Revenue's guidelines and your article that this would then leave me liable to VRT but not to ROI customs or VAT?
When importing the car to NI, does the dealer have to pay UK customs and VAT that they would then likely have to pass the cost on to me in the form of a higher sale price? Or can the NI dealer reclaim the UK VAT upon selling the car to me for export to ROI?
I just want to pre-determine any additional costs beyond VRT and any fee the NI dealer may add on.
Thanks in advance for your help
George Davis (GREYSTONES)Sep 2024 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi George,
I believe your thinking is all correct, except that there is no onus on the dealer to pass on the VAT reclaim saving to you.
Thinking of getting a BMW i3...
Hi,
Are EVs exempt from VRT if looking to import one? Having trouble with the Passat and if and when it gets sorted my wife wants it gone and to treat ourselves so started looking at used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe but tow truck friend warning us away from the 2.0 diesels: "doesn't matter who had it, where or how often it's been serviced or easy life, they are all trouble." And 3.0 diesel harder to find here but still give timing chain trouble.
Son is 20 and learning to drive so depending on cost to fix may dictate keeping it so third car turning to a BMW i3. When I met my wife she drove a SEAT Arosa and we kept that and I used it for my backroad commute to work for years as economical second car runabout.
With fuel, both diesel and petrol rising it might tick a few boxes to look at small economical runabout, it's auto so will suit both wife and son and our first step into EV.
Earlier with the range extender seems lower on the recommend list compared to the later fully electric 2018 onwards or i3S model.
ROS VRT site looks like it has had an update and gave both i3 and i3S options but wasn't clever enough to blank out NOx and CO2 fields. When checking rates for i3S it auto filled a figure for NOx, which I just cancelled out.
Ideally I'd like to buy from a BMW or SIMI dealer with history and warranty and liked your article on importing from Northern Ireland.
Appreciate any advice on importing an i3 (or 4 Series Gran Coupe) from up North
Regards
Damien McGettrick (Lusk)Sep 2024 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Damien,
First up, the BMW i3 is a great option for your needs based on what you told us. It's a cracking compact car that will cost you nothing to run and is an idea runabout. And yes, I'd agree that the fully electric version is the best one, especially when you have access to other cars in the household for longer journeys.
I really like the 4 Series Gran Coupe as well, but understand the reticence to trust the diesel engines. Would you consider a petrol one instead perhaps? The NOx levy on the diesel on importation can be expensive as well. Because of potential engine issues I'd be inclined to stick with a local BMW dealer and get as good a warranty as you can.
Obviously electric cars don't emit any NOx or CO2, so it's a bit bizarre if Revenue's site can't deal with that... There is a VRT exemption up to €5,000 and anyway, it's only 7 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP).
If you're looking to buy in the North, just make sure the car has been registered and used by a private individual in the North for at least three months before you import it, and that must be verified by documentation. Then no VAT or import duty should be due, just VRT - and the NOx levy if applicable.
Hopefully all that helps, but come back to us with other specific questions if you need more assistance of course.
Can I convert my commercial Land Cruiser?
Hi,
Currently driving a 2010 LWB Toyota Land Cruiser (commercial). Now with the arrival of two small boys, I cannot bring them with me when driving. Can I change it from commercial to business/passenger and if so what is the process for same?
Patrick Fitzgerald (Tipperary)Sep 2024 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
If the vehicle already has rear seats then all you need to do is inform your motor tax office of the change of use and pay the relevant motor tax increase. Check your insurance policy as well to ensure this is covered.
If the Land Cruiser has no rear seats then it's a much bigger job to convert it, and I'd suggest you enlist the services of one of the many companies specialising in this process. Do a search online and then try to find reviews of ones in your locale. In many cases, however, it may be more cost effective to just change your vehicle.
Which new estate to buy as a second car?
Hi!
We’re a family of five (and dog) who love our 10-year-old Volkswagen Passat Estate. No plans to get rid of it but we need a second car to manage weekend logistics. A new Skoda Combi would be great (definitely don’t want an SUV), but would prefer a hybrid or electric option. Any suggestions?
Ciara Malone (Dublin)Aug 2024 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ciara,
We're in the same situation (without the pooch, sadly) so I understand your needs for sure. There are no electric Skoda estates as yet (at least one is on the way in the next few years, but that'll be too late for you), but there have been plug-in hybrid options. Not sure if you're buying new or used, but the current Superb Combi can be had new as a plug-in hybrid and it's an exceptional car. You'll find some of the previous-gen on the used market as well.
Other fully electric estate options include the MG5, but come back to us with your budget and new/used preference if you want us to help you narrow your search.
When to change my Skoda Rapid TSI's timing belt?
Hi,
I have a 2018 Skoda Rapid Spaceback TSI 95 (999cc) petrol currently at 97,000km. Wondering when to change the timing belt.
Kindly let me know please dear experts.
Thanks in advance.
Joshua D (Dublin)Aug 2024 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Joshua,
The belt in your car is a 'long life' belt and doesn't need to be checked until it has passed 240,000km.
I won a 2010 Shogun!
I won a 2010 Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2. It was first registered in Nothern Ireland in March 2010 and as far as I can make out it remained there until it was delivered to me a few days ago.
What do I do next? We want to take the back seat out of it. Do I need an engineer report after I take out the seats, before I bring it to the NCT centre? And do I need to get a letter from Lucky Day competitions to say I won it?
Anita Jackson (Schull)Jul 2024 Filed under:
Expert answer
Hi Anita,
Whether you won it or not, you will still be liable for all costs to import the vehicle and register it in the South. From the information you've given, we believe you'd only have VRT to pay.
However, you will need to book an appointment to have the vehicle inspected at an NCT centre within seven days of it arriving in Ireland and you have 30 days to complete the procedure. I.e. you'll have to pay VRT on it as a passenger car if that's what it was on arriving in Ireland.
You can of course do the conversion afterwards.
I just won a Mitsubishi Shogun!
Hi
I just won a prize of a Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2. I worked out the VRT at just over €400 is this about right? I want to take out the back seats and use it as a commercial SUV as I have a car already and I just want to use it to tow stuff. It was first registered in March 2010 and has 150,000 miles on the clock. What are the steps I have to take? The car was delivered to me today.
Anita Jackson (Schull)Jul 2024 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Anita,
I'm not sure we have all the information here, but if I understand it correctly, it's a UK or Northern Ireland registered car that you've won and you're living in Ireland.
If it is registered as a passenger car then you'll have to import it as that and pay VRT and the NOx levy at least. If it was used in the North by someone other than a car dealer then that should be it, but if it has come from England, Scotland or Wales then you'll also have to pay VAT and import duty.
With such an old diesel, the NOx levy could be up to €4,850, and I'm not sure how you calculated €400 for VRT. It's likely to be in the top band at 41 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price (i.e. the value Revenue places on the car in Ireland). Even if it's deemed to be worth only €5,000 (which is unlikely), the VRT would be €2,050.
If you decide to pay all these costs and register the Shogun here, then you can go about converting it to a commercial SUV, but that won't be cheap either I'm afraid as the work has to be certified afterwards.
Should I buy a hybrid BMW 5 Series?
Hi folks,
I'm thinking of changing my car to a BMW 5 Series. The prices of the hybrids are considerably less than the diesel models, and since I do low mileage anyway, the hybrid would probably fit the bill better. I'm looking at 2020 models, but the problem is they have around 100,000 kilometres on them, and my mechanic said under absolutely no circumstances should I purchase one, as the batteries are a ticking time bomb...
My question is, do you think they're that bad, considering there are so many of them visible on the roads? I intend to keep the car for five years, and around 200,000 kilometers. Can these batteries last 200K? I have read horror stories of batteries costing 10s of thousands to fix, should they fail and that's simply out of the question.
I'm currently driving a diesel Passat, which my mechanic tells me is a far better car than the BMW. Any help would be hugely appreciated.
Thank you
Daniel Dunne (Castlecomer)Jul 2024 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Daniel,
First up, the battery in those alone wouldn't cost in the 10s of thousands - it's considerably less than that. Not that you'd ever want to have to do it, but still, it's worth bearing that in mind.
I must admit we have heard of a few cases where BMW has struggled to identify an issue with the hybrid system recharging the battery and the repair is expensive as it involved replacing the whole hybrid system, not just the battery. That's frightening of course, but it's only a few cases rather than every example of the car.
If you go ahead with the purchase, perhaps consider an aftermarket used car warranty.
If you don't feel confident going for it, come back to us with more information on your budget and needs and we'll try to find you an alternative to your diesel Passat.
Can I fix a Megane Cabrio's door?
I have a 2006 Renault Megane cabriolet. Last month an idiot in an old 4x4 reversed into the passenger side back panel (behind the door) creating what can only be described as a meteor strike of a dent! Would a reputable body repair shop be able to "beat out" the dent, or is the panel in question reinforced from the inside and not accessible?
This is what a repair shop has told me... or is he just worried about further damage?! I really would appreciate an honest answer to this dilemma which is becoming a total insurance nightmare!
Phil Partridge (Cavan)Feb 2023 Filed under: bodywork
Expert answer
Hi Phil,
Without seeing it for ourselves we wouldn't like to say for sure, but we do know that massive dents are not ever easily repaired as you've described and panel beaters prefer to replace the panel completely where possible.
Should I replace my Audi's cambelt again?
Just purchased 2009 Audi Avant 2.0 TDI estate with 90,000 miles on the clock. Service history states cam belt and water pump replaced at 60,000 in 2015. The question I would appreciate being answered is - should I be considering replacing them again bearing in mind the time passed?
Many thanks
Philip Perks (Southampton)Aug 2022 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Officially, it should be replaced at least every 180,000km regardless of time. There's no harm in doing it more often if you want peace of mind of course.