Thinking of going to UK to buy a car

Gorteen

I'm wondering if it's worthwhile car shopping in UK for a (nearly) new car. I'm a cash buyer and like the higher spec that UK cars tend to have. Are there any pitfalls that I should consider? I hear Revenue make the VRT easy to calculate in advance.

One big concern for me is that the speedo will be in miles rather than kms. Maybe a car with a digital speedo could be reset as km?

Matthewjohn

There is no major savings in the uk but you can get better spec and better kept cars there.

Zcott

Gorteen wrote: »

I'm wondering if it's worthwhile car shopping in UK for a (nearly) new car. I'm a cash buyer and like the higher spec that UK cars tend to have. Are there any pitfalls that I should consider? I hear Revenue make the VRT easy to calculate in advance.

One big concern for me is that the speedo will be in miles rather than kms. Maybe a car with a digital speedo could be reset as km?

I think most RHD cars have an option to toggle miles or km. My '06 Civic with a digital speedo does.

Gosub

Well worth a read.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=176389

Wheres My ForkandKnife

Depenging on the car it car be wortwhile going to the UK but do your sums carefully.I have bought several cars in the Uk in the last ten years and only one in Ireland.The saving that were there five years ago are not there now.

The problem is people generally overestimate their savings.They compare the middle of the market here with the bottom of the market over there.

There is pleny of crap at the bottom of the market in the UK.I know as I have seen some of it.

Another myth is that the english look after their cars better than we do and spec them better.Leaving aside the fact that some cars come better specced in the base model than here because of our tax regime I think people look after their cars just as well in Ireland.Look at some of the detailing posts on here or some of the people looking for advise on optional extras.

The reason it appears that there are more cars better looked after over ther is because there are more cars full stop and it gives people a warm feeling to think that they are buying a car that has been cherished somehow.

That said ther is a great selection of cars and there is money to be saved depending on the model you are after but do plenty of research.

Best of luck.

bazz26

I really don't see where the apprehension comes from having mph instead of kph. This country used mph as a measurement of speed alot longer than kph and it's not rocket science to convert.

It's not an exact conversion but the basic rule of thumb I use is as follows:

50kph = 30mph
60kph = 40mph
80kph = 50mph
100kph = 60mph
120kph = 70mph

Enigma IE

You will definitely get a better spec/choice in the UK. I think the more you spend, the more you will probably save, but the savings aren't as big as they used to be.

VRT inspection is now done by the NCT centres, see FAQ.

http://nct.ie/vquest.html

Pay particular attention to the section regarding extra's. Therefore the higher spec car you buy, you will more than likely have to pay extra on top of your calculated price.

Additional VRT may be payable if the vehicle is fitted with chargeable enhancements/accessories and Revenue may require more time to assess this additional amount.

Also, factor in travel, any inspections you may want to get done over there and ferry back. As other posters have said, do your homework and good luck.

crackity_jones

Hi there,

I just bought a 2011 Ford Focus in the UK and have booked it in for a VRT inspection next week.

My question is: has the VRT inspection process changed greatly in recent years?

I only ask as my brother imported a car back in 2009 and all he did was walk into a NCT centre, took a number and filled out a form. They took a very quick glance at his car to ensure it was what he claimed, and that was it.

He also registered the car with Dublin plates as he figured it would help when selling it later on. Seems this is no longer possible as proof of residence is now required. Before you just needed to provide a valid address, which he had. Is this true?

These are just questions of curiosity. I'll be going through the proper channels to get mine registered.

Cheers.

siralan

Im looking for a small van with 3 seats in the front, ie newer model berlingo or peugeot partner etc. Prices seem to be lot keener in the UK however Im hearing different opinions in relation to the import duty I would be paying to bring it in here. On done deal all of these vans that come in with UK plates are advertised as €200 vrt and they are less than 3.5 tonne weight ??

Altreab

Wheres My ForkandKnife wrote: »

Depenging on the car it car be wortwhile going to the UK but do your sums carefully.I have bought several cars in the Uk in the last ten years and only one in Ireland.The saving that were there five years ago are not there now.

The problem is people generally overestimate their savings.They compare the middle of the market here with the bottom of the market over there.

There is pleny of crap at the bottom of the market in the UK.I know as I have seen some of it.

Another myth is that the english look after their cars better than we do and spec them better.Leaving aside the fact that some cars come better specced in the base model than here because of our tax regime I think people look after their cars just as well in Ireland.Look at some of the detailing posts on here or some of the people looking for advise on optional extras.

The reason it appears that there are more cars better looked after over ther is because there are more cars full stop and it gives people a warm feeling to think that they are buying a car that has been cherished somehow.

That said ther is a great selection of cars and there is money to be saved depending on the model you are after but do plenty of research.

Best of luck.

Is there any way to get an accurate VRT cost from NCTS by for example suppling them with a VIN number before purchase??

MetzgerMeister

Gosub wrote: »

Well worth a read.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=176389

Given that the OP was made in 2004, some stuff in that might be very outdated by now.

Gosub

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Given that the OP was made in 2004, some stuff in that might be very outdated by now.

Yeah, but it's an ongoing thread and the more recent posts should be up to date.

peter barrins

This post has been deleted.

LordSutch

And the nearest and easiest place to buy a car in the UK is up North, across the border, and not the water, (hence no ferry charges)!

And thats exactly what my brother in law did, albeit with all the hassle of the paperwork that goes with VRT + new plates,
but he targeted what he wanted and just couldn't get it here, so he searched the UK data bases and got lucky in Belfast.

Happy man now, he has the exact car he wanted, and has saved between two to three grand overall.

bazz26

LordSutch wrote: »

And the nearest and easiest place to buy a car in the UK is up North, across the border, and not the water, (hence no ferry charges)!

And thats exactly what my brother in law did, albeit with all the hassle of the paperwork that goes with VRT + new plates,
but he targeted what he wanted and just couldn't get it here, so he searched the UK data bases and got lucky in Belfast.

Happy man now, he has the exact car he wanted, and has saved between two to three grand overall.

With the amount of dodgy fuel circulating up there I wouldn't take the chance especially with a diesel car.

colm_mcm

Also, the prices are higher up north for the obvious paddy stuff and selection isn't as good.

mickman

Did the buying in UK thing a few weeks ago, it couldnt have gone better except for a salesman that was a bit incompetent.

the car is imaculate and the 3rd party checking company called me and said it was in excellent condition (they were right)

09 - looks like a new car and thats not an exageration.

Was in the NCT for the vrt for 15 mins - had all my documentation and was prepared - totally stress free. Was 100 euro cheaper than what i thought it would be.

So yes i am happy i did it , however i was on holidays for the week so had plenty of time . If i didnt have time off then not sure would i do it again as the savings arent big (however the car is top quality)

Paddy1951

Be careful get print out of full service record and finance good luck