Importing new car from UK - worth it?

Chelon

Although I can see better deals and discounts at UK dealers, I was shocked when using the Revenue calculator to work out the VRT - for the car I was considering it works out at €3.3k

This makes the total price just about the same as buying Irish; the only benefit I can see is that the UK spec would be a bit better.

Am I missing something here, as I always thought that importing could work out much cheaper, if you could be bothered with the hassle and shipping costs?

Atlantic Dawn

2nd hand yes, new usually not work doing.

copacetic

Chelon wrote: »

Although I can see better deals and discounts at UK dealers, I was shocked when using the Revenue calculator to work out the VRT - for the car I was considering it works out at €3.3k

This makes the total price just about the same as buying Irish; the only benefit I can see is that the UK spec would be a bit better.

Am I missing something here, as I always thought that importing could work out much cheaper, if you could be bothered with the hassle and shipping costs?

Cars are expensive here due to VRT the importers have to pay, if you import yourself you have to pay the vrt also. No big savings to be made.

When euro at near parity a few years back it was worth it now its probably not.

It is well worth bringing in a 6month to year old higher end car.

Mc Love

Depends on what you are after to be honest, the VRT can be high but you can still make a saving, no doubt!

dodzy

Also, just to be aware that if buying new ( less than 6mths old or less than 6K ), you'll have VAT to pay, adding to your cost, but as McL says, there are savings to be had. Do your homework. There is a great guide here on importing from the UK.

corktina

The spec is deliberately kept low because the high VRT would otherwise make it more worthwhile to go to the UK for a new car. It's no co-incidence that you found the costs work out more or les the same.