I want to sell my 2018 Nissan X-Trail...
I have a 2018 X-Trail that I'm changing for a camper van. What's it worth in Ireland and how do I go about selling it?
Mike Walker (Weymouth)Jul 2024 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
Without any more information than that it's difficult to estimate your car's value. For example, there are 2018 X-Trails for sale on Carzone.ie ranging in asking price from about €20,000 to not far off €30,000. Take a look on there and try to find a selection of cars close to yours in terms of specification and mileage for an estimate.
And we'd recommend Carzone.ie as well to sell your car. If you're buying the camper from a dealer they may take the X-Trail as part-exchange, but you'll get more for it selling it privately.
Is a car exempt from VAT after 60 days in the North?
Hi, can you please let me know is VAT liable on a car registered in Northern Ireland for at least 60 days before importing to the Republic of Ireland?
Deirdre Grouden (Castledaly)Jul 2024 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Dee,
There does not seem to be a simple rule such as that. Revenue says that if a car has been used privately "for a reasonable amount of time" in the North - and you can prove it - then no VAT or import duty is payable, just VRT.
Is it worth importing a Velar from the North?
Can you please advise on the various types of costs that are required to import a car from Northern Ireland to the Republic?
I am currently looking at two different cars with different backgrounds:
Car 1: 2021 Range Rover Velar, first registered in UK April 2021 now on sale in Northern Ireland with UK registration plates. Dealer has said he can get it registered in NI and sell with NI registration plates.
Car 2: 2021 Range Rover Velar, car built in UK and first registered in NI Feb. 2021 i.e. is currently on NI registration plates.
I have read as much documentation as I can find on the 'potential costs' but have come away more confused than informed. It was verbally mentioned to me whilst researching this, that if a car has been registered in NI for a period of more than 60 or 90 days (I cannot remember which) then the car is exempt from VAT and only subject to NOx and VRT.
Can you please let me know if this is correct?
I would appreciate any help you can afford me on this as calling the National VRT helpline has not been helpful and I was advised to take the car to my nearest NCT centre, however by doing this, I would have bought a vehicle and would be completely unaware of its taxes.
Before buying a vehicle, I need to know the cost of taxes to establish if its expenditure is worthwhile.
Deirdre Grouden (Castledaly)Jul 2024 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Deirdre,
Yes, we have to agree - the whole process is completely over-complicated and difficult to understand at times. And it would appear some of the rules allow for real grey areas.
For example, according to Revenue: "There are no customs obligations for a vehicle that has been brought into Northern Ireland after 1st May 2023 and where the vehicle has been in private ownership in Northern Ireland for a reasonable period of time." This would suggest that Car 1 in your question would attract VAT and import duty if it has actually not been used by a private individual. I.e. it has been imported by a dealer to sell on. It doesn't matter how long it has been in the country if it is sitting on a dealer forecourt and switching it to NI plates before selling it to you doesn't change that.
Car 2 would also, we believe, attract VAT and import duty. The 'made in the UK' thing is tricky as you need to prove it yourself and it comes down to more than just the factory the car was made in - it depends on its components as well.
Sounds like you've read a lot already, but you want our take on it, look at our Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland.
Looking to buy a van for private use...
I'm looking at buying a Ford Transit Connect LWB 1.5L (2018-2020 ish). I'm going to be using it privately, travelling Ireland with boards and camping stuff in the back. I'm unsure of how to go about taxing and insuring it privately. I'm getting quotes at the moment but it's looking more complicated than I had anticipated.
Few questions here:
1. Do I need to do anything to switch the van from commercial to private use? I've heard about possible VRT, but I can't seem to find any info online about that apart from imported vehicles.
2. Is taxing and insuring as straightforward as doing so with a regular car? I'm aware that AXA who I’m currently with for a car won't privately insure me in a van so I'm checking with insuremyvan.ie
3. CVRT - I know it's more expensive than NCT and is yearly, but is this as simple to get done?
4. Are there any other problems that I might run into if I do buy a van to use privately? I'm pretty clueless on how any of this works.
Rebekah Steele (Bray)Jun 2024 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Rebekah,
1: You'll need to inform your local motor tax office of the change of use of the vehicle. VRT is only paid the first time a vehicle is registered in Ireland so don't worry about that. Your annual motor tax rate will be different to the fixed commercial vehicle tax, however. It will be calculated based on the engine size. The table of prices is the top one in our Motor Tax Prices in Ireland Explained guide.
2: Taxing is straightforward, as above. Insuring a van for private use can be trickier so take your time and shop around on that before you commit to buying the vehicle.
3: Correct, it's no more complicated, really, and a modern van like you're looking at should sail through for many years.
For further reading check out Buying a van for private use on our van website, CompleteVan.ie.
Will this Northern Ireland import be VAT and duty-free?
Hi.
I'm looking at importing a car from Northern Ireland - first reg June 2020 in Northern Ireland. Am I correct in reading the very complicated rules as needing to pay VRT, plates and motor tax, but not having to pay customs and VAT?
Is the V5C sufficient, or will I need the dealer to provide import/shipping info too?
Many thanks
David
David Forde (Kilkenny)Apr 2024 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi David,
Yes, our understanding is that VAT and import duty will not be required on that car.
I'd suggest you obtain as much information as possible in terms of documentation that might prove the car has been in the North since 2020. If that information is on the V5C then it should indeed be sufficient.
Is this true about VAT importing from the North?
I have a UK-reg Audi A6. I purchased it in March 2023. I am now moved to the south but have been refused a TOR [Transfer of Residency]. While I wait an appeal I have to clear the car. Do I have to pay 23 per cent VAT and import duty? I have heard that if you have proof that the car has been in Northern Ireland for four months then it is exempt from VAT. Is this true?
Matthew McGloin (Kinlough)Apr 2024 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Matthew,
I'm afraid it's not as simple as that at all. Take a read of our Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland to fully understand the situation.
Looking to import a camper from the UK
Looking to import a 1995 campervan from the UK. I understand VRT is at 13.3 per cent. Will I be liable for VAT or other customs charges?
Thanks
JF
John Filbert (Slane)Apr 2024 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi John,
Yes, you should also be liable for VAT at 23 per cent (of the price you pay for the vehicle plus the cost to ship it to Ireland), and import duty at 10 per cent.
Can I use the new motor tax system on a commercial?
Hi,
I see that you answered a previous question asking about changing a commercial Kuga to a private vehicle. Your answer was yes but the tax would go by the old cc (engine size) taxation method. Is it possible to change from commercial tax to the newer CO2 system?
Brian Lalor (Laois)Nov 2023 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
I'm afraid not. Seems crazy, doesn't it?
Can I tax a crew cab vehicle for private use?
Hi,
Could you please tell me if I can buy a crew cab vehicle and tax it legally if I don't own a registered business? Will the tax office tax it for me without a big rigmarole?
Thank you.
Shane Lloyd (BALLYHAUNIS)Aug 2023 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Shane,
You can indeed, though you'll need to tax it for private use, not commercial use. That means the annual motor tax rate goes by the engine size, not the CO2 emissions (and not the fixed commercial vehicle rate).
Just get in touch with your local motor tax office to tell them and it shouldn't be difficult.
Read the Buying a van for private use over on our sibling site CompleteVan.ie for more.
What are the taxes on importing a hearse?
Hi,
We are thinking of importing a Mercedes Hearsette from the UK (2021). As a commercial vehicle, can you advise what charges we will incur?
Many thanks, Fran
Pierce Coachbuilders Ltd Barry Pierce (Co Kerry)Apr 2023 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Fran,
Full hearses are classified as Category C for VRT purposes as a "listed vehicle". The VRT is fixed at just €200.
However, you still must complete a Customs import declaration before the car arrives, and you are likely to be liable for customs duty (at 10 per cent) and VAT (at 23 per cent) on the value of the car.