Importing from the UK - definitive guide (Q&A)

MR DAZ · 26-03-2007 9:39am

Just a quick update lads

Collected my new wheels sat:D

see below

The car came with full Audi service history, HPI checked, and MOT, also had all the recipts from the RAC from the garage.

Thanks again to everyone here for the advice, i reckon i saved at least 2k.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a85/dazzainlk/3.jpg

Confucian · 29-03-2007 9:25pm

Hi All
Just arrived from the UK.
I have been reading about the implications of VRT on imported cars & motor cycles which seems to make sence but I have a Transit Van whch dosn't appear on the vrt calculator !
What Vrt will be due.
What is the differance between an NCT and a DOE test ?
Any help would be greatly appretiated
Mick

Tipsy Mac · 29-03-2007 11:13pm

Confucian wrote:

Hi All
Just arrived from the UK.
I have been reading about the implications of VRT on imported cars & motor cycles which seems to make sence but I have a Transit Van whch dosn't appear on the vrt calculator !
What Vrt will be due.
What is the differance between an NCT and a DOE test ?
Any help would be greatly appretiated
Mick

As far as I know it's only €50 for a van, once it's not a new one.

macplaxton · 30-03-2007 12:37am

VRT is €50 for a van.
DOE test is for goods vehicles. NCT is for cars. (I think)
Annual Motor Tax is based on unladen weight. (between €250-€320 for a Transit).

That's my understanding.

Cheers,
Rich

The_Conductor · 30-03-2007 12:24pm

macplaxton wrote:

DOE test is for goods vehicles. NCT is for cars. (I think)

No. DOE is the UK equivalent of the Irish NCT cert for a car or commercial vehicle. Any vehicle imported must pass an NCT test, once it is of 3 years of age (and every 2 years thereafter, though they are talking about making that annual), irrespective of whether it has a DOE cert or not. A DOE cert is not valid in Ireland, much the same way as our NCT certs are not valid in the UK (though it would be nice if it were valid, as there is currently a 10 week waiting list for NCT testing).

Large commercial vehicles are charged a flat VRT rate of €50- though this is set to change on 1/1/08- where VRT on all vehicles will be charged on CO2 emissions basis.

Mc-BigE · 30-03-2007 2:04pm

smccarrick wrote:

No. DOE is the UK equivalent of the Irish NCT cert for a car or commercial vehicle. Any vehicle imported must pass an NCT test, once it is of 3 years of age (and every 2 years thereafter, though they are talking about making that annual), irrespective of whether it has a DOE cert or not. A DOE cert is not valid in Ireland, much the same way as our NCT certs are not valid in the UK (though it would be nice if it were valid, as there is currently a 10 week waiting list for NCT testing).

Large commercial vehicles are charged a flat VRT rate of €50- though this is set to change on 1/1/08- where VRT on all vehicles will be charged on CO2 emissions basis.

This is not quiet right, there is an Irish DOE for commerical vehicles whichs needs to be renewed annually, the NCT is for private vehicles only and is only done on cars 4 years and older, and every 2 years from then on.

UK MOT or DOE for commericals (i think) is not transferable to ireland.

Gatster · 30-03-2007 2:55pm

Originally Posted by snowy666
I've read through as much as I can and I'm wondering what happens when the Garda pull you when you're driving on UK plates. Do they automatically impound the car, do you get a fine/warning and if they do impound the car can you then pay the required vrt and get the car back or is it goodbye wheels?

Originally Posted by smccarrick
Goodbye wheels. No fine/warning. Car automatically impounded

Not true. The Garda can do this but whether they do seems completely hit and miss or varies from case to case.

Chaz · 30-03-2007 3:38pm

I am curious - currently looking at a bit of an unknown car, not listed on the VRT page. How do they work out a value for it? I recall someone saying it takes a day and lots of calls on their side?

macplaxton · 30-03-2007 11:00pm

Mc-BigE wrote:

This is not quiet right, there is an Irish DOE for commerical vehicles whichs needs to be renewed annually, the NCT is for private vehicles only and is only done on cars 4 years and older, and every 2 years from then on.

UK MOT or DOE for commericals (i think) is not transferable to ireland.

Correct. UK testing certificates are not transferable. The UK MOT covers pretty much all vehicles under 3500kg (including Motorcycles, Tricycles, Minibuses and Light Goods). PSV and HGV testing is separate. We also have SVA test for kit cars, one-offs, low volume production and category C insurance write-offs. DOE has nothing to do with the UK set up. Testing is overseen by the Vehicle & Operator Services agency which is connected with the UK Department for Transport.

Are there any plans in the immediate future to start testing motorcycles and vintage vehicles?

macplaxton · 30-03-2007 11:02pm

Chaz wrote:

I am curious - currently looking at a bit of an unknown car, not listed on the VRT page. How do they work out a value for it? I recall someone saying it takes a day and lots of calls on their side?

They probably roll the dice, take a pin and a blindfold out and dream something up. All seems a bit hit and miss!

jank · 02-04-2007 11:07pm

3 quick questions.

I heard that if you get your car and ask the vro office thats its a "promotional car" i.e. one with a load of stickers and all that on it that you will only get vrt tax of about 13% . Is this true?

Also when does road tax apply. Is it from the day you bought the car or is it the day one pays the VRT?

How is it possible to get another temp insurance cert after the first one expires?

Thanks.

The_Conductor · 03-04-2007 11:17am

jank wrote:

3 quick questions.

I heard that if you get your car and ask the vro office thats its a "promotional car" i.e. one with a load of stickers and all that on it that you will only get vrt tax of about 13% . Is this true?

Also when does road tax apply. Is it from the day you bought the car or is it the day one pays the VRT?

How is it possible to get another temp insurance cert after the first one expires?

Thanks.

1. If you google you won't find any mention of a lesser rate of VRT for a car with promotional stickers on it. If the vehicle operated by a charity or as a commercial vehicle, it would qualify for a lower rate of VRT. If its a personal vehicle, it doesn't.

2. Road tax applies from the beginning of the month in which the car was imported- not the day it was imported. So- if you import the car at the end of the month- you get giped for an extra month's road tax......

3. Ring your insurance company re: a temp insurance cert. Hibernian had no problems giving me 3 certs in a 2 week period- but it depends on your policy and whether your insurance company are amenable to insuring you in this manner. Ring them and check.

jank · 03-04-2007 11:26am

Thanks for the reply.

Regarding the tax. How does the tax office ascertain this information of import. Is it the dats the it physically comes off the ferry? Or is it the day you contact the VRO office? The reason I ask is that the difference of a few days may be the end or start of a month.

The_Conductor · 03-04-2007 1:27pm

jank wrote:

Thanks for the reply.

Regarding the tax. How does the tax office ascertain this information of import. Is it the dats the it physically comes off the ferry? Or is it the day you contact the VRO office? The reason I ask is that the difference of a few days may be the end or start of a month.

You have to supply the UK ownership documents showing the transfer to you to the VRO. If the date you are claiming you imported the car is more than a couple of days different than this they may query this (in which case date of import would be decided by ferry documentation). Don't try to con them, its not worth it. Its a bitch if you are bringing the car in towards the end of a month- but thats life.

jank · 03-04-2007 1:48pm

OK thats fine.

I bought the car on the 31st but didnt board the ferry until 2:30 am next morning so that was 1st April! Happy days then.

The_Conductor · 03-04-2007 1:58pm

jank wrote:

OK thats fine.

I bought the car on the 31st but didnt board the ferry until 2:30 am next morning so that was 1st April! Happy days then.

Cool! I brought in my Volvo on the 25th

They made me pay back to the 1st of Feb......

MR DAZ · 03-04-2007 4:35pm

Just on the temp insurance disk... i'm with quinn direct and when i switched the insurance over to my new car with english reg plates.... they sent me out a disk with the remainder of my insurance policy on it. ie new disk is 02-08

On paying the vrt i'm hoping to get away until the end of this month until my ssia comes in which is only 4 weeks fingers crossed.

PowerHouseDan · 03-04-2007 4:40pm

Quick Question, With regards to importing a Commerical From Uk? Is there a set VRT Rate? Also the Mitsubishi L200 Imported as Private or Commerical because i cant find it on the VRT Cal?

rebel.ranter · 03-04-2007 8:25pm

As for bringin in the car at the end of the month, hold off on this and only pay at the start of the next month, I know lots of people who have extended it far beyond the allowable 24hr period and have had no isues were they had to pay back road tax.

Commercials are a fixed rate. See here

Hoops1888 · 09-04-2007 3:12pm

I have a question for ye.

If someone live's in the UK for over 10 year's, they dont pay any VRT but cant sell the car for a year. Let's say my Dad live's in England for the last 15 year's could he buy a car over there, bring it here, not pay any VRT then change it to my name and say it was a present?

Mc-BigE · 10-04-2007 8:38am

Hoops1888 wrote:

I have a question for ye.

If someone live's in the UK for over 10 year's, they dont pay any VRT but cant sell the car for a year. Let's say my Dad live's in England for the last 15 year's could he buy a car over there, bring it here, not pay any VRT then change it to my name and say it was a present?

Fast answer is no, the person that owns the car in the UK must be the person importing it into ireland and be returning to live in ireland to qualify for vrt free

learnerplates · 11-04-2007 9:47pm

How did you guys pay for the cars you bought in the UK?

Also, I plan on buying a car from a Car Supermarket, has anyone any experience with these guys, Cargiant?

Do-more · 11-04-2007 10:05pm

learnerplates wrote:

How did you guys pay for the cars you bought in the UK?

Also, I plan on buying a car from a Car Supermarket, has anyone any experience with these guys, Cargiant?

I paid with a sterling bank draft the last time, credit card the time before that!

Be sure and read Cargiant's terms and conditions about payments, they go through all the payment types they accept and what extra charges apply for each one!

learnerplates · 11-04-2007 10:25pm

Oh right, you can get one from bank here I take it..I've had a look at the site, cargiant have an irish website with payment details, http://www.cargiant.ie/carsupermarket/whatdocs.asp. I'll contact them tomorrow.
Thanks for the help.

The_Conductor · 13-04-2007 2:49pm

We did a sterling transfer with Banking365online from Bank of Ireland (from the office in the dealership once my brother had actually viewed the car we were buying).

S.

blastman · 16-04-2007 3:20pm

Still slightly confused.

I bought a car in the UK in a private sale and brought it home on Saturday. The previous owner gave me the main bit of the VLC that would normally be sent back to the DVLA for a change of ownership. There was a also a little bit of the certificate that tore off to be sent back if the car was being permanently exported (which he signed and gave to me as well). So which of these should I send to the DVLA and which do I need for the VRT office?

rebel.ranter · 16-04-2007 3:32pm

The main bit goes to to the VRO when you go in to pay the VRT, the other bit should have gone the the DVLA. Brave man buying privately.

eljono · 16-04-2007 3:38pm

Does anyone know when importing a duel fuel or hybrid car from the UK if the VRT is charged differently. I was looking at a duel fuel 2.4 '04 S60 (not for me) and when I did the VRT calculation, they didn't have the model listed. The closest I could find was the standard 2.4 which is in the 30% bracket. I was hoping there might be a reduction or a concession since the car is not standard and more fuel efficient. In England, this model qualifies for vehicle congestion charge exemption.

blastman · 16-04-2007 4:06pm

rebel.ranter wrote:

The main bit goes to to the VRO when you go in to pay the VRT, the other bit should have gone the the DVLA. Brave man buying privately.

So I should still send the other bit back to the DVLA, and just head into the VRO with the main cert?

rebel.ranter · 16-04-2007 4:08pm

eljono wrote:

Does anyone know when importing a duel fuel or hybrid car from the UK if the VRT is charged differently.QUOTE]

You will have to ring your local VRO to get an individualised quote if the model is not listed.

Stephen · 16-04-2007 4:23pm

This thread is very interesting. I'm considering going to the UK for a used BMW 318ci/320cd early next year

macplaxton · 16-04-2007 5:31pm

blastman wrote:

Still slightly confused.

I bought a car in the UK in a private sale and brought it home on Saturday. The previous owner gave me the main bit of the VLC that would normally be sent back to the DVLA for a change of ownership. There was a also a little bit of the certificate that tore off to be sent back if the car was being permanently exported (which he signed and gave to me as well). So which of these should I send to the DVLA and which do I need for the VRT office?

It explains all in this leaflet:
DVLA INS160
see pages 17 and 18 of the pdf. Q5 and 5b

The_Conductor · 16-04-2007 6:07pm

eljono wrote:

Does anyone know when importing a duel fuel or hybrid car from the UK if the VRT is charged differently. I was looking at a duel fuel 2.4 '04 S60 (not for me) and when I did the VRT calculation, they didn't have the model listed. The closest I could find was the standard 2.4 which is in the 30% bracket. I was hoping there might be a reduction or a concession since the car is not standard and more fuel efficient. In England, this model qualifies for vehicle congestion charge exemption.

You only get a reduction on the VRT if the dual-fuel or hybrisation of the car is a factory modification (i.e. any subsequent modifications do not qualify for a VRT reduction). For a factory modified vehicle the VRT reduction is 50%.

yellabelly · 16-04-2007 9:55pm

rebel.ranter wrote:

The main bit goes to to the VRO when you go in to pay the VRT, the other bit should have gone the the DVLA. Brave man buying privately.

I handed the whole V5C form into the VRO having filled in the relevant sections. They retained the form so I assume they will be sending the permanent export section back to the DVLA.

eljono · 17-04-2007 1:09am

smccarrick wrote:

You only get a reduction on the VRT if the dual-fuel or hybrisation of the car is a factory modification (i.e. any subsequent modifications do not qualify for a VRT reduction). For a factory modified vehicle the VRT reduction is 50%.

Really? Now that's interesting. The car in question is factory standard so a 50% reduction would be very sweet. I'll have to check out out first though with revenue but if right it could make for cheap motoring

blobert · 18-04-2007 3:56am

Hi guys, I'm sure this has been discussed before in this thread but I can't find it.

I'm thinking of buying a car in Wales with no tax or MOT. Is it possible to get temporary tax and MOT to drive the car back and get the ferry?

If not what are my chances of getting busted for driving said vehicle in North Wales (the car is only about 50 miles from Holyhead) before making it to the ferry. I would be insured obviously.

The_Conductor · 18-04-2007 7:17am

blobert wrote:

Hi guys, I'm sure this has been discussed before in this thread but I can't find it.

I'm thinking of buying a car in Wales with no tax or MOT. Is it possible to get temporary tax and MOT to drive the car back and get the ferry?

If not what are my chances of getting busted for driving said vehicle in North Wales (the car is only about 50 miles from Holyhead) before making it to the ferry. I would be insured obviously.

Tow/transport the car to Holyhead. Be careful. It would be a bit of a bitch to loose the car at the last hurdle. Is there a particular reason the car has been in storage out of use for several months at least? If buying from a private seller without an MOT/Tax get the chassis number and check with local police that the car is not stolen. As its been sitting about for months- its far more likely to have problems than a car that is on the road. Have it inspected. You're brave buying a car without tax or an MOT- apart from the hassle there are a load more questions which come to mind.

blobert · 18-04-2007 1:06pm

smccarrick wrote:

Tow/transport the car to Holyhead. Be careful. It would be a bit of a bitch to loose the car at the last hurdle. Is there a particular reason the car has been in storage out of use for several months at least? If buying from a private seller without an MOT/Tax get the chassis number and check with local police that the car is not stolen. As its been sitting about for months- its far more likely to have problems than a car that is on the road. Have it inspected. You're brave buying a car without tax or an MOT- apart from the hassle there are a load more questions which come to mind.

Well this is the car I'm looking at on eBay: http://tinyurl.com/3a2slc

Apparently it has not been driven by its elderly owner for a while and so not MOT or Tax.

I was going to buy it if I could get it for cheap, but having to bring over another car/person with me to tow it would make it prohibitively expensive I guess, which is a shame as it is the exact car I'm looking for and in very good condition for it's age.

The_Conductor · 18-04-2007 2:07pm

blobert wrote:

Well this is the car I'm looking at on eBay: http://tinyurl.com/3a2slc

Apparently it has not been driven by its elderly owner for a while and so not MOT or Tax.

I was going to buy it if I could get it for cheap, but having to bring over another car/person with me to tow it would make it prohibitively expensive I guess, which is a shame as it is the exact car I'm looking for and in very good condition for it's age.

The mileage seems incredibly low for an 8 year old car- only a little over 2k per annum? Seems like a nice car though. I have no idea whether it would be possible to temp tax the car (though given it has no MOT, I somehow doubt it). Perhaps there may be further replies from people who have purchased a car in similar circumstances?

blobert · 18-04-2007 7:13pm

blobert wrote:

Well this is the car I'm looking at on eBay: http://tinyurl.com/3a2slc

Apparently it has not been driven by its elderly owner for a while and so not MOT or Tax.

I was going to buy it if I could get it for cheap, but having to bring over another car/person with me to tow it would make it prohibitively expensive I guess, which is a shame as it is the exact car I'm looking for and in very good condition for it's age.

Does anyone know if it's possible to Tax a vehicle temporarily if it does not have an MOT? If not am I left with no option other than towing it?

The_Conductor · 18-04-2007 7:31pm

blobert wrote:

Does anyone know if it's possible to Tax a vehicle temporarily if it does not have an MOT? If not am I left with no option other than towing it?

Make that "legally tow it"....... Maybe give the coppers in Wales a ring and see if they would turn a blind eye to the car being driven to Holyhead as an exportation measure.

Do-more · 18-04-2007 8:08pm

smccarrick wrote:

You only get a reduction on the VRT if the dual-fuel or hybrisation of the car is a factory modification (i.e. any subsequent modifications do not qualify for a VRT reduction). For a factory modified vehicle the VRT reduction is 50%.

When you say "Dual-fuel" in the case of the Volvo this refers to Petrol and LPG and not Petrol and Bio fuel in cars such as the Saabs and Ford Focus et al.

To the best of my knowledge (and I stand to be corrected on this) Petrol and LPG cars do not attract a reduction in VRT that is only for electric hybrid and bio-fuel powered vehicles.

The_Conductor · 18-04-2007 9:05pm

Do-more wrote:

When you say "Dual-fuel" in the case of the Volvo this refers to Petrol and LPG and not Petrol and Bio fuel in cars such as the Saabs and Ford Focus et al.

To the best of my knowledge (and I stand to be corrected on this) Petrol and LPG cars do not attract a reduction in VRT that is only for electric hybrid and bio-fuel powered vehicles.

Errr yes.....
In the case of Volvo what I had in mind is the common modification (a modified simple heat exchanger- but its almost standard on Volvo models) allowing Volvos and Mercs in particular to use SVO as opposed to diesel/biodiesel (SVO- being "Straight Virgin Oil"- normally unused vegetable oil, be it rapeseed or corn oil). Its almost standard on Scandinavian models- but can be retrofitted (if you check you will probably find websites selling DIY install kits).

LPG is treated on a favourable basis, in that duties are levelled on it at a favourable rate, as a fuel. Unfortunately there is no VRT reduction on cars using it though.....

rebel.ranter · 18-04-2007 11:04pm

smccarrick wrote:

Make that "legally tow it"....... Maybe give the coppers in Wales a ring and see if they would turn a blind eye to the car being driven to Holyhead as an exportation measure.

I drove mine back from London to the ferry with no tax disc, the customs on the Welsh side did ask me if I was exporting the vehicle then they just waved me on. Once you have all your particulars in reltion to the sale you should be fine. No harm in ringing the Police though.

blobert · 19-04-2007 12:31am

rebel.ranter wrote:

I drove mine back from London to the ferry with no tax disc, the customs on the Welsh side did ask me if I was exporting the vehicle then they just waved me on. Once you have all your particulars in reltion to the sale you should be fine. No harm in ringing the Police though.

Thanks, that's good to know. Unfortunately the car is going up quite fast in price and I suspect by the time the auction ends it may not be such a bargain!

Just to clarify I would just need to get the person selling the car to fill in a V5C form and that I would need to show that to the guys in Holyhead?

Thanks

Moanin · 19-04-2007 8:14am

I drove my A4 from Chesterfield to Hollyhead with no road tax and was never stopped or asked any questions by customs or police.

blastman · 19-04-2007 11:25am

blobert wrote:

Thanks, that's good to know. Unfortunately the car is going up quite fast in price and I suspect by the time the auction ends it may not be such a bargain!

Just to clarify I would just need to get the person selling the car to fill in a V5C form and that I would need to show that to the guys in Holyhead?

Thanks

You'll need some sort of receipt or bill of sale too. When I brought my car back on Saturday, I showed the V5C form to the customs/security guy at Holyhead, but he wanted to see a proof of sale. As it was a private sale, I just had a sheet that the seller had written out and we both signed, but he was happy enough with that.

michaelanthony · 19-04-2007 11:28am

smccarrick wrote:

Tow/transport the car to Holyhead. Be careful. It would be a bit of a bitch to loose the car at the last hurdle. Is there a particular reason the car has been in storage out of use for several months at least? If buying from a private seller without an MOT/Tax get the chassis number and check with local police that the car is not stolen. As its been sitting about for months- its far more likely to have problems than a car that is on the road. Have it inspected. You're brave buying a car without tax or an MOT- apart from the hassle there are a load more questions which come to mind.

Are you mad? I've drove 3 cars across england, 2 with no tax or mot, insurtance and no license and nothing ever happened.

The_Conductor · 19-04-2007 11:48am

michaelanthony wrote:

Are you mad? I've drove 3 cars across england, 2 with no tax or mot, insurtance and no license and nothing ever happened.

Whatever about no tax or MOT- you had no insurance or license? Really? That is the height of recklessness. Regardless of whether the coppers would turn a blind eye to no tax or MOT- you could get an instant fine and disqualification and/or prison term for driving a vehicle without insurance or a license.

Mc-BigE · 19-04-2007 12:55pm

blobert wrote:

Thanks, that's good to know. Unfortunately the car is going up quite fast in price and I suspect by the time the auction ends it may not be such a bargain!

Just to clarify I would just need to get the person selling the car to fill in a V5C form and that I would need to show that to the guys in Holyhead?

Thanks

as far as i know the owner should be able to get an MOT without UK road Tax.

I drove a car 2 years ago from Scotland to N.Ireland and then home, with no uk tax but it had MOT, while parked waiting to get onto the ferry the police knocked on my window and i was fined 60 pounds for driving without road tax.

but your Micra is currently at 1200 pounds, it sounds like you wont be going over for that car if it goes any higher.
The guys in Holyhead normally wont look for that much info off you, but you need the Full V5 document for the VRO here, or cert. of permanent export.

Importing from the UK - definitive guide (Q&A)

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