Is it cheaper to buy car from Northern Ireland?

jeetjeet

Hey guys

I am looking to buy BMW 520D.

Will it be cheaper to buy from the north?

Thanks

ironclaw

jeetjeet wrote: »

Hey guys

I am looking to buy BMW 520D.

Will it be cheaper to buy from the north?

Thanks

Entirely depends on a multitude of factors. Chiefly the spec. Most UK cars are of a high spec (Interior, trim, paint etc) that the Irish fleet. However, its entirely possible to find the same spec here and keenly priced to match. I rarely see examples where the difference in price would be worthwhile for importation, its more apparently on higher end cars that would be rare here. For example, an Audi S3 in the UK worked out €3000 cheaper than here and a year newer. It wasn't imported but just to give you an idea. The same wouldn't be said for a standard 5-Series or Golf for example. Its pretty much a level playing field.

The biggest hurdle to buy from the North / UK is the importation and VRT. Not impossible but it is 'extra hassle' and something to factor into the price. Remember, VRT isn't entire cut and dry in my experience so you want to be prepared for the 'worst case' scenario and expense. Remember, its irrelevant what you actually paid for the car, its what revenue decide is the book value and determine the VRT price from that. Also, by driving to the North / UK to view a car, thats an expense and again will be cutting any saving your making.

It can be a minefield so unless you were saving €1000's or really found a diamond of a car that would be worth the extra mile to get, I wouldn't even consider it personally.

NIMAN

Not necessarily.

About 6 months back I was in the market for a Honda FR-V and it was cheaper to buy in RoI than in the North.