Importing a 29 year old classic car

halvis

Hi, I am thinking of bringing in a nearly 29 year old classic car from the UK. Is it legal to bring the car into Ireland and keep it in storage for just over a year until such time that the car can be VRT'd for €48 rather than the near €1000 they want now?

Gary ITR

halvis wrote: »

Hi, I am thinking of bringing in a nearly 29 year old classic car from the UK. Is it legal to bring the car into Ireland and keep it in storage for just over a year until such time that the car can be VRT'd for €48 rather than the near €1000 they want now?

In short, no. Technically the car should be VRT'd as soon as it lands in the country

rugbyman

I dont know if to say " in short ,no" is correct, but it is definitely not a problem, park it up for a year , not illegal, not likely to cause you trouble.

parking it here and not using it is the same as leaving it in the UK.

driving it from the ferry to your parking up place is illegal,if you are irish, but likliehood of it causing you bother ,nil.

regards,Rugbyman

Gary ITR

rugbyman wrote: »

I dont know if to say " in short ,no" is correct, but it is definitely not a problem, park it up for a year , not illegal, not likely to cause you trouble.

parking it here and not using it is the same as leaving it in the UK.

driving it from the ferry to your parking up place is illegal,if you are irish, but likliehood of it causing you bother ,nil.

regards,Rugbyman

The question was 'is it legal' the answer to which is no

2cv

rugbyman wrote: »

I dont know if to say " in short ,no" is correct, but it is definitely not a problem, park it up for a year , not illegal, not likely to cause you trouble.

parking it here and not using it is the same as leaving it in the UK.

driving it from the ferry to your parking up place is illegal,if you are irish, but likliehood of it causing you bother ,nil.

regards,Rugbyman

The law states that a car that's brought into the state has to be registered (VRT paid) on the first working day after it's arrival in the state. You collect the car on a Saturday in the UK, you have to reregister on the Monday.
Now that's the legal side of things....

Now reality... Buy the car, bring it in, store it, and reregister after its significant birthday. Come on, we've all done it :D:D
(exept me of course, i'm a law obiding citizen... just in case anybody's watching_
LOL

milod

Just make sure it's on a trailer. Preferably take off the UK plates, disable it in some way, e.g. take off the dizzy/leads, and if you're stopped, say you bought it for spares. The law relates to roadgoing vehicles...

vincenzolorenzo

Technically it is illegal as as soon as the car is imported the VRT should be paid. But TBH just chance your arm and say nothin for the year. Go in next year and tell them you've just bought it. Chances are the VRT would be mad high on it anyway so while strictly speaking it is breaking the law, I'd hang on

trevorbrady

when I got my vw camper from the states we drove it from the shipping agents to the house, parked it out the back and registered it 5 months later when it "came of age". To the letter of the law it was illegal but when I presented the documents to show when It came in and all the duties were paid, no eyebrows were raised when it was obvious it came in 5 months previous.

Don't sweat it...

Abelloid

When I brought mine into Ireland I rang to ask about this and they told me to wait and register when it's roadworthy. If it's not on the road I don't see the problem.

mgbgt1978

if it's THE car you want just do it. there really shouldn't be any problems. i brought in an mgb in may last year, 7 months before it's 30th birthday. the garda in rosslare port stopped me (probably because the car looked a little rough) . as soon as i said hello he replied "oh, you're irish, off you go". who's to say you're not bringing the car over to show to your mechanic , the wife etc.? you are only importing a car if you intend to keep it here !!!! just don't be tempted to drive it up and down the road every now and then.