NI Car Sales Queries

PGL

I am having trouble searching out used cars in NI dealers - can anyone recommend good websites?

Also can anyone provide some good guidance on VRT? I tried to use the calculator on the revenue website but to no avail....

I am looking to buy an 07 or 08 Mondeo, Passat or Vectra, saloon, 1.6 to 1.8 litre engine - how much VRT could I typically be charged on one of these cars?

Finally, it seems that diesel cars are more common than petrol ones up north. whats the pros and cons of each?

cheers

bazz26

1. www.autotrader.co.uk is a good source for NI used cars.

2. It is probably hard to use the VRT calculator because you may be entering inaccurate information. Make sure you have the correct make, model, spec and engine size.

3. Cars like the Mondeo, Vectra and Passat were not sold in NI or mainland UK with small 1.6 litre petrol engines. These are generally unique to countries like Ireland were motor tax is based on engine size.

4. Diesel v Petrol, you could go on all day about the pros and cons of each. Diesel cars tend to cost more to buy than the equivilant petrol model, they are however more economical and have better resale values. Basically as the VRT rate will be based on the cars emissions (Co2 rating) diesels generally tend to have lower Co2 emmisions than petrol cars so are cheaper to VRT. Alot of people however don't like diesels because they are louder or not as refined as a petrol engine.

5. Diesels have always sold in large numbers up North and mainland UK due to the above reasons and the fact they do not cost that much more to buy there than petrol models that is why they are popular.

Wishbone Ash

It's working fine for me. I did a couple of sample Ford Mondeos for you.

1. Ford Mondeo Zetec 1.6, petrol, manual, 4 dr, saloon, 30k, March 2007 OMSP = €16,639, VRT = €4,658

2. Ford Mondeo Zetec 2.0 diesel (115), manual, 4dr, saloon, 30k, March 2007, OMSP = €15,691, VRT = €3,765

(The Open Market Selling Price is what the Revenue determine it's worth, not what you have paid for it).

joeperry

www.usedcarsni.com

PGL

many thanks for your excellent responses guys!

it appears to be a common conception that cars are cheaper up north - however based on my initial search this does not appear to be the case....

is there better value in the republic or should I still go up north?

cheers

bazz26

Definately check out prices of similar cars down here first. If you have no trade-in then there are deals to be had on used cars here. Weigh up the savings and see if it is worth your while travelling North.

Del2005

PGL wrote: »

Finally, it seems that diesel cars are more common than petrol ones up north. whats the pros and cons of each?

cheers

Avoid diesels from the North, with so much washed diesel sold there there's a chance of the engine being ruined.

civildefence

PGL wrote: »

many thanks for your excellent responses guys!

it appears to be a common conception that cars are cheaper up north - however based on my initial search this does not appear to be the case....

is there better value in the republic or should I still go up north?

cheers

The cars are a lot cheaper, and higher spec. Problem is the VRT, its usually not worth your while. eg. 07 golf gti, £10,000 and nearly €10,000 VRT (around €22,000) which is roughly what they are in the republic. Buying a van or truck in NI is a good idea as VRT is only €50.

Digitaljunkie

civildefence wrote: »

The cars are a lot cheaper, and higher spec. Problem is the VRT, its usually not worth your while. eg. 07 golf gti, £10,000 and nearly €10,000 VRT (around €22,000) which is roughly what they are in the republic. Buying a van or truck in NI is a good idea as VRT is only €50.

Me confused i'v heard that VRT on a van is only €50 but can't find any confirmation on that where does it say that?

Tried ROS.ie no luck?

Cheerz in advance.............Dj.

civildefence

Digitaljunkie wrote: »

Me confused i'v heard that VRT on a van is only €50 but can't find any confirmation on that where does it say that?

Tried ROS.ie no luck?

Cheerz in advance.............Dj.

All the VRT rates are here:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/moving-country/moving-to-ireland/coming-to-live-in-ireland/importing_car_into_ireland

thescruff

PGL wrote: »

I am having trouble searching out used cars in NI dealers - can anyone recommend good websites?

Also can anyone provide some good guidance on VRT? I tried to use the calculator on the revenue website but to no avail....

I am looking to buy an 07 or 08 Mondeo, Passat or Vectra, saloon, 1.6 to 1.8 litre engine - how much VRT could I typically be charged on one of these cars?

Finally, it seems that diesel cars are more common than petrol ones up north. whats the pros and cons of each?

cheers

Remember you can claim back the vat u pay in the north...so there's another saving to factor in.....15% north and 23?% south....so this is how you come out ahead...for it to work really to your advantage euro has to be worth greater than 92pence....at the moment think its in the 86/87 pence range.

LittleEve

i bought my car from Charles Hurst..they have a good range -
used the website to calculate the VRT but wasnt totally accurate, cos i dont think i chose the exact model. lady in the Rev Office calc'd it for me..
usedcarsni as mentioned already is also good