buying a car in the UK, want one that will hold value when I return... Advice??

glanman

I am living in UK for the next 6months+ and need to buy a car. I have a budget of about 7000-8000 sterling. I want to buy a car that will offer me good after sale value when I return to Ireland. As far as I am aware I will avoid VRT as I am here more than 6 months after buying the car. So I am looking for advice on which cars hold the best price wise within my bracket. Is it really just VWs and BMWs or have I other options.

Also, as I have only recently moved over what is my best option insurance wise? I have no history in the UK and was a name driver and then on company insurance for about 6 years full license driving. Can I/should I get the car insured in Ireland or am I best do it in Uk, which is cheapest...

Thanks in advance!

opinion guy

i think they changed that 6 months thing to 12 months - in other words you'd have to stay there for a whole year to get VRT exemption. you'd be well advised to check the revenue website

In terms of what car - anything diesel and German. VW, AUDI, BMW, Mercedes

Esel

Before you buy, be sure you will qualify for Transfer of Residence exemption. Read very carefully. For instance if you are there to study - sorry, no exemption. Lots more snags too, and plenty of hoops to jump through.

If you do qualify - congratulations. I've no advice on what to buy, though....

glanman

As far as I can see I will qualify, going to have to get insured in the UK though which may make it a little more expensive from my initial enquries...

Mr Benevolent

glanman wrote: »

As far as I can see I will qualify, going to have to get insured in the UK though which may make it a little more expensive from my initial enquries...

Eh? You'd have to be insured in the UK anyway.

glanman

I was wondering if i could insure the car from Ireland as I have a record of insurance there, I have none in UK

meathstevie

glanman wrote: »

I was wondering if i could insure the car from Ireland as I have a record of insurance there, I have none in UK

No, an insurance company in Ireland will not insure a car on a UK reg for use in the UK. They'll insure you short term to use that car Ireland on a UK reg when you import it but just about long enough for you to sort out the import administration. As for cost of insurance, I'm about 101% sure you'll get a better deal with just about any UK insurer than you would get over here.

DubDani

Please also remember that it's not just a case of living in the UK for 6 months and then bringing over the car for sale.

When you bring it over, you register it and the VRT gets waived you cannot sell it within the first 12 months. If you sell it within 12 months of bringing it over you will have to pay Revenue the VRT that was previously waived.

glanman

meathstevie wrote: »

No, an insurance company in Ireland will not insure a car on a UK reg for use in the UK. They'll insure you short term to use that car Ireland on a UK reg when you import it but just about long enough for you to sort out the import administration. As for cost of insurance, I'm about 101% sure you'll get a better deal with just about any UK insurer than you would get over here.

Ya I only looked into it briefly to see wher I stand so I hope you are right!

3DataModem

You have to do more than own it in Ireland, you need to use it.

I know a guy who got an M3 about seven or eight months before leaving UK... put about 600 miles on it then stored it for the six months in Ireland (he had a buyer lined up).

He sold it to buyer. Got it taxed. Milage checked by Customs (they paid a visit and looked in car window!) and he gets bill for full whack of VRT.

A real nightmare, buyer didn't want to know as he had told him to put a few hundred miles on it in Ireland before selling it but my mate was to cheap to insure it in Ireland.

Fifteen grand or something it cost him net.

glanman

3DataModem wrote: »

You have to do more than own it in Ireland, you need to use it.

I know a guy who got an M3 about seven or eight months before leaving UK... put about 600 miles on it then stored it for the six months in Ireland (he had a buyer lined up).

He sold it to buyer. Got it taxed. Milage checked by Customs (they paid a visit and looked in car window!) and he gets bill for full whack of VRT.

A real nightmare, buyer didn't want to know as he had told him to put a few hundred miles on it in Ireland before selling it but my mate was to cheap to insure it in Ireland.

Fifteen grand or something it cost him net.

My plans for it are legit, I need a car over here so will drive it all the time. I may have to return to Ireland with work in 8 months so if I am buying something I want something that will give me options when I return and want to trade-in down the line

DubDani

glanman wrote: »

My plans for it are legit, I need a car over here so will drive it all the time. I may have to return to Ireland with work in 8 months so if I am buying something I want something that will give me options when I return and want to trade-in down the line

Then buy something that you want to keep and drive for at least around 2 years (i.e. not something you might get bored of quickly), as that's how long you will have to keep it, before you can trade it in without being hit by the stupid VRT.

BigEejit

Some insurance companies will accept Irish no claims bonus. elephant.co.uk did for me when I moved over.

Also, to see what kind of stuff £7k will get you, have a look at cargiant.co.uk. There is lots of small print but they are great for cheap cars.

DubDani

btw... regarding your Irish No Claims Bonus. I was able to get my UK Insurance (AXA) to recognize my Irish NCB without any problem. So I would guess it will be the same with most Insurance companies.

BigEejit

snap

Preset No.3

For 7-8k you should be able to lay your hands on a Merc CLK 200. They are popular over here, because the 200 is a 1.8 engine but still has enough poke to get you where you want to go. May not be everyones choice, but I would consider it for a resale in Ireland.