Buying a car from Northern Ireland

AngelaRI

I have one burning question that I have not been able to find an answer to online, and have been back and forth between Revenue and Motor Tax but to no avail...

I have bought a used car from Northern Ireland. I completed the form the seller provided with the vehicle registration details (I have since discovered that it is officially called the 'V5C Vehicle Registration Certificate') listing myself as the new 'keeper' of the car. I kept the green section (the 'New Keeper's Supplement') while the owner sent off the old form to the DVANI to register the sale/transfer of ownership.

I know that I have 30 days in which to VRT my car. I have booked the VRT for the latest possible date available on the online booking system (which still falls well within my 30 day limit, and the booking was made with 2 days of bringing the car back to Dublin, so all within required time limits)

I am now busy gathering the required documents for the VRT (today is only the second week-day since purchase, so still early in the process) and there is one document that I am not 100% sure of.

The Evidence of Previous Registration. Now I know that within the UK, that little green 'New Keeper's Supplement' is sufficient to register the car in my name, but does Ireland (Republic) recognize this form too? In order to apply for a Certifcate of Permanent Exportation, I may have to wait 4 weeks before receiving this certificate.

According to NCTS, VRT and Revenue websites, the 'Evidence of Previous Registration' is defined as: "foreign certificate of registration, a certificate of permanent exportation or a certificate of de-registration"

Now NI and ROI are both EU states, so permanent exportation does not seem to apply (according to the application form its only non-EU states that require this, or ROI if the vehicle requires a Vehicle Identity Check???)

And according to DVANI (on the form for change of registration), it could take up to 4 weeks to receive a new copy of the V5C registration certificate if there has been a change of ownership - in this case most definitely a change of ownership. But "please allow 6 weeks before making enquiries" - the 4 weeks (if that includes postage) will barely make the 30 day time limit (considering the sale was on a Saturday, that's cutting it fine), and 6 weeks misses the target by a good margin.

I'm fairly sure that people here in ROI regularly buy cars from UK, including NI (which is more convenient than the rest of UK, because there is no 'pond' to cross to get the car back home), so I must be missing something regarding paperwork for registering the car in my name here in Ireland (Republic). Please say that my 'New Keeper's Supplement' is recognized here in ROI and that I'm worrying for no good reason...

colm_c

You need the full V5.

Generally the seller fills in the permanent export section of this V5 (so they don't get bills for tax in the UK).

The DVLA will most likely return the V5 to you (with a note explaining this), at least they did for me.

You can ring them and get them to send it to you (or send you a copy of the export certificate).

AngelaRI

colm_c wrote: »

You need the full V5.

Generally the seller fills in the permanent export section of this V5 (so they don't get bills for tax in the UK).

The DVLA will most likely return the V5 to you (with a note explaining this), at least they did for me.

You can ring them and get them to send it to you (or send you a copy of the export certificate).

How long did it take to get the V5 to you? I've been told they're relatively quick, but where I'm from, 'relatively quick' in goverment terms could mean anything from 6-12 weeks... (its all relative isn't it)

I bought the car Saturday (3 days ago now) and the seller mailed off the completed forms later that same day. The DVLA still has not received the forms (or at least they aren't in the system, so maybe they arrived but just hadn't been captured when I sent my enquiry)

My biggest worry is that I don't get the V5 certificate in time for my VRT - what can I do if the worst happens and the DVA takes the full 4 weeks (the quoted max "within 4 weeks") to get the V5 back to me? I know that there will be a fee to re-book my VRT, but by then I'll be approaching or past my 30 days.

Thankfully I'm gathering papers now already for a late-September VRT, so if its 'in the mail' I'll be just fine. I just don't like being surprised at the last minute, so I'm gathering as much info as I can to cover all my bases.

johnos1984

AngelaRI wrote: »

I just don't like being surprised at the last minute

Then you should of found out what you needed before you purchased

CiniO

You should have taken V5C document from previous owner.

Now you are going to have a bit of hassle with registration, because you don't have it.

colm_c

Took about 6 weeks if I remember right (it was the old VRT system then).

I rang revenue at the time and explained the issue, they sent me a letter that I could carry around with me until the paperwork arrived, incase I was stopped.

If I were you I would get in touch with the VRT crowd and ask their advice. They're usually quite helpful and at least you can talk to someone relatively quickly compared to the previous revenue setup.

McP2011

You'll get the v5c back in a few weeks from the dvlni in a few weeks which you use to take it through with?...to the person above that said the seller should have gave you the whole v5 is wrong...you fill in the new keeper details and you both sign it and the seller sends it away to get the car out of his name.

Esel

McP2011 wrote: »

...to the person above that said the seller should have gave you the whole v5 is wrong...you fill in the new keeper details and you both sign it and the seller sends it away to get the car out of his name.

No, you are wrong. See identical wording below.

The DVLNI site says (page 8 of this PDF)

What to do if you are selling your vehicle privately to someone who does not have a NI address

You should fill in sections 6 and 10 with the new keeper’s name and address.
Both you and the new keeper (buyer) must sign and date the declaration in section 8.
Give the whole V5C(NI) to the new keeper to aid registration abroad.
You should then send a signed letter to DVA, Coleraine, BT51 3TA giving the vehicle’s registration number, the make and model of the vehicle, the date of sale or transfer, and the name and address of the new keeper.
Once we know about the change of keeper, you should receive an acknowledgement letter to confirm that you are no longer responsible for the vehicle.

The DVLA site says (page 8 of this PDF)

What to do if you are selling your vehicle privately to someone that does not have a GB address

You should fill in sections 6 and 10 with the new keeper’s name and address.
Both you and the new keeper (buyer) must sign and date the declaration in section 8.
Give the whole V5C to the new keeper to aid registration abroad.
You should then send a signed letter to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AG giving the vehicle’s registration number, the make and model of the vehicle, the date of sale or transfer, and the name and address of the new keeper.
Once we know about the change of keeper, you should receive an acknowledgement letter to confirm that you are no longer responsible for the vehicle.

It would seem that the NI and GB vehicle licencing authorities are completely separate now. From the above, even a GB buyer in NI should be given the complete V5C and vice-versa.

michellie

The dvla don't always send out the v5 to a new Irish owner. I wouldn't sit around waiting for it, ring them and see what the situation is, you may need to apply for a certificate of permanent export.

They are pretty slow too!

mickdw

You should have got the full V5 into your hand from seller. Still, worst case is that you would have to apply for a cert of permanent export from dvla. No issue with this and they will send them to irish address. takes a month approx.

michellie

mickdw wrote: »

You should have got the full V5 into your hand from seller. Still, worst case is that you would have to apply for a cert of permanent export from dvla. No issue with this and they will send them to irish address. takes a month approx.

More like 2 months !

AngelaRI

michellie wrote: »

The dvla don't always send out the v5 to a new Irish owner. I wouldn't sit around waiting for it, ring them and see what the situation is, you may need to apply for a certificate of permanent export.

They are pretty slow too!

Thanks for the advice everyone.
I've been in touch with the DVLNI all the while - 2 very friendly and helpful ladies in particular (thank you so much to both of you!) - and they advised me that I would not be issued with a new V5C becuase I do not live in NI. I was advised to apply for a Certificate of Permanent Export, which I promptly did.

Imagine my surprise when 2 days ago I received a letter in the mail - opened it up to find the original V5C, and a note from the DVLNI - "... As you have an address in Southern Ireland... I am therefore returning your registration book unstamped, which you should now take along to your nearest Local Vehicle Licencing Office."

They have processed the sale (confirmed via email), so the old owner is no longer liable for the car, and I have the final piece of paper that I need for my VRT. It arrived exactly 1 week after the sale (well, 1 week from the first weekday since the sale-date) - I am highly impressed with the DVLNI's speed and efficiency. They also responded within a hour to each of my emails that I sent through last week.

Now I just have to wait out the remaining time until my VRT date, and can spend that fixing up the little bits here and there to get my new car ready for the NCT, which will have to follow shortly after the VRT.

Thanks to all, and happy motoring!!

michellie

AngelaRI wrote: »

michellie wrote: »

The dvla don't always send out the v5 to a new Irish owner. I wouldn't sit around waiting for it, ring them and see what the situation is, you may need to apply for a certificate of permanent export.

They are pretty slow too!

Thanks for the advice everyone.
I've been in touch with the DVLNI all the while - 2 very friendly and helpful ladies in particular (thank you so much to both of you!) - and they advised me that I would not be issued with a new V5C becuase I do not live in NI. I was advised to apply for a Certificate of Permanent Export, which I promptly did.

Imagine my surprise when 2 days ago I received a letter in the mail - opened it up to find the original V5C, and a note from the DVLNI - "... As you have an address in Southern Ireland... I am therefore returning your registration book unstamped, which you should now take along to your nearest Local Vehicle Licencing Office."

They have processed the sale (confirmed via email), so the old owner is no longer liable for the car, and I have the final piece of paper that I need for my VRT. It arrived exactly 1 week after the sale (well, 1 week from the first weekday since the sale-date) - I am highly impressed with the DVLNI's speed and efficiency. They also responded within a hour to each of my emails that I sent through last week.

Now I just have to wait out the remaining time until my VRT date, and can spend that fixing up the little bits here and there to get my new car ready for the NCT, which will have to follow shortly after the VRT.

Thanks to all, and happy motoring!!

Oh that's handy! Your one of the lucky ones so I've seen people come back months later saying how they have had a awful time trying to get the v5/cert of export. Good luck with your new car

Richard

Esel wrote: »

No, you are wrong. See identical wording below.

The DVLNI site says (page 8 of this PDF) The DVLA site says (page 8 of this PDF)

It would seem that the NI and GB vehicle licencing authorities are completely separate now. From the above, even a GB buyer in NI should be given the complete V5C and vice-versa.

They always have been - it dates back to the old Stormont days. Although there is a combined tax disk issuing system these days.

Essentially, NI and GB are treated as seperate countries, except:
Some re-registration fees are lower or don't apply.
You don't have to change the reg plates.

corktina

ffs not again...:rolleyes:

rugbyman

The DVLNI is and has been very user friendly in my experience. Even the system of telling you how long you have to wait on the phone .

My lesser experience with Swansea was quite good also.Ended up a dead end but at least got it explained to me.

Rugbyman


I often wonder why people go to the bother of typing in "why did you not check this first" replies. Who do they feel gains from these comments.

If i went to the dentist with a bad tooth I would not gain much from his lecturing me on the fact I had not maintained my teeth

Our man in Havana

Just apply for the permanent export certificate and all will be ok.

Esel

corktina wrote: »

ffs not again...:rolleyes:

What's the problem?

mercdave66

I am looking at a car for sale in Dublin on UK plates. The 'owner' has a cert of permanent export but no V5. Is this sufficient to VRT the car?

Thanks
Dave

bazz26

Afaik you will need the V5 to register it here.

mercdave66

bazz26 wrote: »

Afaik you will need the V5 to register it here.

So he can not sell it with the Cert of permanent export document? I was almost putting a deposit on the car today!!

freewilli88

I am buying uk reg car in south. The seller bought in north at dealership in 2014 so well over the 30days window for VRT. Car was used mostly by his daughter in University up north so was never VRT'd which of course is a bit cheeky I think.

My questionis regarding going to VRT now and here are the facts as simply as I can put them:

1) car was most likely technically due for VRT in 2014.
2) we can produce a bill of sale for last week as the actual purchase date no problem
3) the registered keeper is still the previous owner to him, he never changed it and the previous owner prob wasnt on the ball. In essence the seller on bill of sale wont match registered keeper (I might just clarify here that my seller has a bill of sale from a dealer, with whom I have verified)
4) to my knowledge there is no evidence to suggest the car was brought south of the border in 2014 vs yesterday

SO......

Is the bill of sale from him to me and the v5 of a previous registered keeper (address in NI but unrelated) along with the back story of his daughter using it in university up north going to cut it with the VRT centre? again there is no evidence of the daughter back story i understand but likewise no evidence that it wasnt the case either! no ferry tickets or the like so where does this situation stand?

Any help would be appreciated! thanks (i replied something similar in a similar thread but wasnt sure it would get attention there)

freewilli88

I am buying uk reg car in south. The seller bought in north at dealership in 2014 so well over the 30days window for VRT. Car was used mostly by his daughter in University up north so was never VRT'd which of course is a bit cheeky I think.

My questionis regarding going to VRT now and here are the facts as simply as I can put them:

1) car was most likely technically due for VRT in 2014.
2) we can produce a bill of sale for last week as the actual purchase date no problem
3) the registered keeper is still the previous owner to him, he never changed it and the previous owner prob wasnt on the ball. In essence the seller on bill of sale wont match registered keeper (I might just clarify here that my seller has a bill of sale from a dealer, with whom I have verified)
4) to my knowledge there is no evidence to suggest the car was brought south of the border in 2014 vs yesterday

SO......

Is the bill of sale from him to me and the v5 of a previous registered keeper (address in NI but unrelated) along with the back story of his daughter using it in university up north going to cut it with the VRT centre? again there is no evidence of the daughter back story i understand but likewise no evidence that it wasnt the case either! no ferry tickets or the like so where does this situation stand?

Any help would be appreciated! thanks (i replied something similar in a similar thread but wasnt sure it would get attention there)

freewilli88

I am buying uk reg car in south. The seller bought in north at dealership in 2014 so well over the 30days window for VRT. Car was used mostly by his daughter in University up north so was never VRT'd which of course is a bit cheeky I think.

My questionis regarding going to VRT now and here are the facts as simply as I can put them:

1) car was most likely technically due for VRT in 2014.
2) we can produce a bill of sale for last week as the actual purchase date no problem
3) the registered keeper is still the previous owner to him, he never changed it and the previous owner prob wasnt on the ball. In essence the seller on bill of sale wont match registered keeper (I might just clarify here that my seller has a bill of sale from a dealer, with whom I have verified)
4) to my knowledge there is no evidence to suggest the car was brought south of the border in 2014 vs yesterday

SO......

Is the bill of sale from him to me and the v5 of a previous registered keeper (address in NI but unrelated) along with the back story of his daughter using it in university up north going to cut it with the VRT centre? again there is no evidence of the daughter back story i understand but likewise no evidence that it wasnt the case either! no ferry tickets or the like so where does this situation stand?

Any help would be appreciated! thanks (i replied something similar in a similar thread but wasnt sure it would get attention there)