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2016 UK import - step by step

  • 27-07-2016 12:12pm
    #1
    Bumski
    Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭Bumski


    I recently purchased a car in the UK. There are a number of threads on this issue, including the bumper one, but given the recent Brexit and the sterling rate and their impact on the value formoney that can be got, I thought I’d put down a number of steps that I followed on the process.
    I’m an average guy with no specialised knowledge about cars,mechanics or engines. Others, more expert, might not bother with the AA check I paid for, but it saved me time and I was able to fly to the UK and leave on the ferry with the car on the same day. I hope that this can be of use to someone

    So the steps (with costs) were:



    1 sourced the car model and spec on autotrader UK and/or motors.co.uk

    2 Check the probable VRT cost online on the Revenue ROS VRT calculator

    2A Check the UK MOT site for mileage at last MOT https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

    3 Checked with my insurance company the impact of the proposed new car on my policy and premium

    4 I booked a low fares airline morning midweek return flight to the UK for a date 2 weeks later for €30 (the return leg cost €10 included in the €30 – I bought the return leg in case of any unforeseen problem) I booked to Manchester for 10.30am

    5 contact the garage and discuss price – noted to garage that I would be exporting the vehicle and so would not be test driving myself ahead of time (I did not want to buy from a private seller as I think it would be more difficult to arrange an engineer car check and meet up and payment safely)

    6 Check how many keys are there for the car (is there a master key or code tag), whether there is a service history, are there any further documents (eg. Previous mot certs, garage receipts for work done). Is the user manual in the car.

    7 Agreed a small deposit (£200) by phone and paid garage with visa

    8 Organised a comprehensive car inspection using Dekra (£125) This inspection also includes a full HPI. Adverse findings are advised orally but the full results of the check are not included in the report

    9 Opened an account with transfermate to minimize sterling conversion costs. This needs to be done maybe a week before the date you want to pay as there are some admin requirements including proof of identity and address. Emails of pdfs of utility bill, bank details and passport required)

    10 Received car inspection report and phone the engineer to get his non written general opinion

    11 A few minor niggles reported to the garage to be sorted before I collected the car

    12 Obtain UK garage bank details and send to transfermate

    13 Type up a letter seeking refund of UK road tax that most garages will get you to pay online before leaving

    14 Organise transfer with transfermate. Allow 2 working days. Day one transfers from your Irish account to Transfermate. Day 2 – transfers to UK.

    15 The day before flying – organise to transfer insurance to the new car (you need the make model and reg)

    16 Book the ferry for the next day I booked the latest possible at 8pm – cost me €144

    17 On arrival at the garage obtain all keys, the manual, an invoice and a complete V5C document (minus part 4 which is sent bythe garage to the DVLA in Swansea)

    18 Pay the UK road tax (minimum 6 months) Maybe you can avoid this but it cost me €77 (but depends on the emissions of the car and the exchange rate) and UK car tax no longer transfers with change of ownership. UK cops have the right to impound an untaxed car (though any reasonable cop probably wouldn’t if it’s en route to the ferry for export)

    19 Give the letter seeking refund to the garage to include with the V5C part 4 to send to the DVLA.

    20 Drive to Holyhead smiling!

    21 On arrival in Ireland book the VRT test at the NCTS. The cost of the inspection is covered in the VRT that you pay. No separate charge. This inspection does not test the car (it is not a standard NCTS test) and only verifies that the VRT amount is correct. The booking must be made within 7 days and all paperwork completed within 30 days or the import is subject to fines

    22 Although not necessary, I kept a colour copy of the V5C and the other documents that I supplied to the NCTS, the documents required are detailed at: http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/vrt-guide.html

    · I provided: V5C (this is very important!)

    · Dated Invoice for the car

    · Recent Utility bill

    · P60 (you can black out salary details)

    · Recent Internet Bank statement (but subsequently stamped by my bank as revenue insist on one original document – myP60 and utility were also online generated printouts)

    · VRT Vehicle Purchase Declaration Form VRTVPD2 http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/vrt-guide.html#section2e3

    · Proof of date of entry (I used my ferry booking details)

    · Declaration Form for the Registration of a newVehicle/ Motorcycle



    23 Pay the VRT following the inspection. Max allowable on a debit card by banks is normally €1500 (your individual limit may differ - if you're planning to go this route check with your bank and the NCTS that it's ok). Credit cards can be used subject to a 1% additional fee (and subject to your individual credit limit). If necessary, NCTS advised me that you can mix payments from both cards to minimise the cc fee. You can also pay with a bank draft – my draft cost €2.40.

    24 On receipt you will be given a new registration number by the NCTS

    25 New plates can be made by many motor factors for about €20

    26 Notify your insurance company of the new registration

    27 Change any relevant details for etolls, M50 or any work related car information if applicable.

    28 One day later your registration details will appear on the motor tax online website and the tax can be paid online using a pin number supplied by the NCTS

    29 The tax disk arrived for me two working days later.

    30 I am currently awaiting the new VLC which should arrive this week and will then book my required NCT.



    I'm ever hopeful that I might get a five month rebate on the UK motor tax paid.....
    Tagged:


«134567…30

Comments

  • #2
    Tecking Fypo
    Registered Users Posts: 34 ✭Tecking Fypo


    Thanks for that clear outline of the steps you took, am about to do similar next week, only buying private and not getting a mechanical check carried out before hand.

    The one thing that really surprised me was that you only get 1 year NCT with an odd numbered car? I'm buying a 2009 and would have expected to get 2 years NCT when it gets tested. Good luck with the car.


  • #3
    dodzy
    Registered Users Posts: 9,906 ✭✭✭dodzy


    Tecking Fypo wrote: »
    Thanks for that clear outline of the steps you took, am about to do similar next week, only buying private and not getting a mechanical check carried out before hand.

    The one thing that really surprised me was that you only get 1 year NCT with an odd numbered car? I'm buying a 2009 and would have expected to get 2 years NCT when it gets tested. Good luck with the car.

    Yep, 2yr NCT for a 2009,2011 car.


  • #4
    savagethegoat
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,297 ✭✭✭savagethegoat


    what? you get 2 years on any car under ten years old. what's this about odd numbered years?


  • #5
    Bumski
    Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭Bumski


    I'll see for sure when I get the VLC and then do the test but the lady who did the VRT inspection and paperwork at the NCTS told me that it was for one year. If she's mistaken then I'll be happy. The logic she explained was that a 2011 car should get its first NCT in 2015. Bringing it in for test in 2016 is one year late and so you only get a cert for the balance of the two years.


  • #6
    savagethegoat
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,297 ✭✭✭savagethegoat


    that's different to what you said initially.

    However, this is what it says on the net

    "Since 28 July 2014, you can submit your vehicle voluntarily for the test any time before the test due date and receive an NCT certificate which is valid for 1 or 2 years (depending on the age of the car) from the date of the test"

    In other words it isn't tied to the anniversary date so you should get a two year cert (and the odd year things is frankly....well odd


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  • #7
    Bumski
    Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭Bumski


    Obviously I didn't make myself clear enough in the op but in essence, from the advice I got, it looks like I'll have to do the NCT in the next week or two and then again in September 2017.

    I'll get clarity directly from the NCTS shortly and I'll edit the op. In the meantime if anyone has had personal experience this year with a 2011 car, it'd be useful if they could post on it.


  • #8
    dodzy
    Registered Users Posts: 9,906 ✭✭✭dodzy


    Bumski wrote: »
    Obviously I didn't make myself clear enough in the op but in essence, from the advice I got, it looks like I'll have to do the NCT in the next week or two and then again in September 2017.

    I'll get clarity directly from the NCTS shortly and I'll edit the op. In the meantime if anyone has had personal experience this year with a 2011 car, it'd be useful if they could post on it.

    Assuming you just VRT'd the 2011 car and get the NCT done say next week (August 3rd) then you will get a cert that will expire August 3rd 2018 (that's if it passes of course!;))

    It is based on the first registered date here. Best of luck with the test.


  • #9
    Bumski
    Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭Bumski


    Tecking Fypo wrote: »
    Thanks for that clear outline of the steps you took, am about to do similar next week, only buying private and not getting a mechanical check carried out before hand.

    The one thing that really surprised me was that you only get 1 year NCT with an odd numbered car? I'm buying a 2009 and would have expected to get 2 years NCT when it gets tested. Good luck with the car.


    Thanks! Unlike you, I'm not sufficiently mechanically minded to do my own inspection but if I were, there's still the issue of flying over to view/inspect the car and possibly discovering a problem and flying back without buying only to start from scratch. I was able to transfer the purchase price to the garage business account which I felt preferable to carrying cash or a draft.

    The test allowed me some peace of mind to know that I was collecting a pre-checked car and there shouldn't be any issues. (Though I still bought a return flight just in case)

    Best of luck with your trip!


  • #10
    dodzy
    Registered Users Posts: 9,906 ✭✭✭dodzy


    savagethegoat wrote: »
    what? you get 2 years on any car under ten years old. what's this about odd numbered years?
    No apologies I was just quoting the 2 manufacturing dates from previous posts, 2009 & 2011, both which will get you a 2yr NCT cert.

    If you import a car, the NCT cert will be based on the registration date of the car (the date you paid the VRT). 10yrs or younger will get you a 2yr cert. Any information to the contrary is incorrect.


  • #11
    savagethegoat
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,297 ✭✭✭savagethegoat


    dodzy wrote: »
    No apologies I was just quoting the 2 manufacturing dates from previous posts, 2009 & 2011, both which will get you a 2yr NCT cert.

    If you import a car, the NCT cert will be based on the registration date of the car (the date you paid the VRT). 10yrs or younger will get you a 2yr cert. Any information to the contrary is incorrect.

    I wasn't referring to your post, I was referring to the op.

    Trouble is people will have no way of knowing what other errors there are in the op now.


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  • #12
    Bumski
    Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭Bumski


    Thanks Dodzy, Sounds good to me!

    I've deleted the misinformation in the OP.


  • #13
    Bumski
    Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭Bumski


    savagethegoat wrote: »
    I wasn't referring to your post, I was referring to the op.

    Trouble is people will have no way of knowing what other errors there are in the op now.


    Everything else in the OP is based on what has already been done and so is accurate. The NCT bit has yet to be done and I obviously had wrong advice from the NCTS VRT counter. I've deleted that point from the above.


  • #14
    dodzy
    Registered Users Posts: 9,906 ✭✭✭dodzy


    Bumski wrote: »
    Everything else in the OP is based on what has already been done and so is accurate. The NCT bit has yet to be done and I obviously had wrong advice from the NCTS VRT counter. I've deleted that point from the above.
    It is a very comprehensive step by step guide. Well done you. Out of interest:

    What car did you go for?
    What was the UK price?
    What was the VRT cost?


  • #15
    Bumski
    Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭Bumski


    dodzy wrote: »
    It is a very comprehensive step by step guide. Well done you. Out of interest:

    What car did you go for?
    What was the UK price?
    What was the VRT cost?


    Thanks!

    PM sent


  • #16
    bennya
    Closed Accounts Posts: 133 ✭✭bennya


    Worth pointing out that point 23 is subject to your own debit card limits.


  • #17
    madds
    Registered Users Posts: 1,883 ✭✭✭madds


    Appreciate you sharing the steps involved OP. I imported my current car back in 2010 and am contemplating going again quite soon & this will serve as a tidy refresher.


  • #18
    Offaly Exile
    Registered Users Posts: 68 ✭✭Offaly Exile


    OP, I'd just also like to say thanks for the time and effort you took to post your very comprehensive list of steps.

    Well done .


  • #19
    savagethegoat
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,297 ✭✭✭savagethegoat


    more info here

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=176389


  • #20
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,615 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    A comprehensive post OP - nice one.

    I'd have done things a little different with a view to squeezing a better deal out of the seller.

    I'd have shortlisted 2 or 3 cars. Flown and flydrive to see them. Negotiate face to face and subject to a proper inspection and test drive.

    I reckon asking a seller over the phone for a better price limits it, and shows your hand totally.


  • #21
    Mc Love
    Registered Users Posts: 14,015 ✭✭✭✭Mc Love


    Most of the steps is what I did alright. I did put it in the other thread when I did it.

    On bargaining with the dealer/garage, most of the cars are at the lowest selling price on the market, so chances of getting a discount is fairly slim.


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  • #22
    Bumski
    Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭Bumski


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    A comprehensive post OP - nice one.

    I'd have done things a little different with a view to squeezing a better deal out of the seller.

    I'd have shortlisted 2 or 3 cars. Flown and flydrive to see them. Negotiate face to face and subject to a proper inspection and test drive.

    I reckon asking a seller over the phone for a better price limits it, and shows your hand totally.


    Thanks for your input. In my case, I was looking for a fairly specific car and there weren't too many available on the market. The one I purchased was already the lowest price advertised and had a good spec and low enough mileage. It's true that if I could have played dealer off dealer, I might have got a better deal. Given my lack of mechanical knowledge, if I was looking at a few cars, I'd need to get each one inspected and obviously take extra time in the UK to do the deal. The costs involved in that, (possibly the need to put deposits on the ones to be looked at) and the time to set the inspections up, along with costs for renting a car and possibly an overnight or two would mount up quickly for me. Plus the hassle.

    In my budget, (£7k) I think that it wouldn't have balanced out to much of a saving overall. Also I would have lost working days in Ireland.

    Someone spending a chunk more might well want to take the approach you suggest.


  • #23
    Bumski
    Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭Bumski


    As an update,

    The VRO was quick to send me the new VRC (once the VRT and annual tax were paid) but the car was not inputted on whatever system that the NCTS have access to for the purpose of booking an NCTS. I was advised by the NCTS that the VRO in Shannon is backlogged a bit with the number of imports currently taking place. The NCTS said as a goodwill gesture, it was creating new electronic files so as to allow the NCTS to be done. I've got one booked for early next week.


  • #24
    Bumski
    Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭Bumski


    savagethegoat wrote: »
    more info here

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=176389


    Thanks. That's the "bumper" post I referred to in my OP. I read through most of it before I went to the UK and it's full of useful information - especially with regard to cars/issues that are not run of the mill.

    I put my experience up as I thought it was relatively short guide for someone who is looking for an up-to-date guide for a fairly straightforward import.

    Anyone with queries above and beyond should certainly scan through the definitive guide for previously asked questions.


  • #25
    Mini850
    Registered Users Posts: 297 ✭✭Mini850


    What percentage of the cost of the car did you save compared to a similar model bought in Ireland??


  • #26
    Bumski
    Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭Bumski


    Mini850 wrote: »
    What percentage of the cost of the car did you save compared to a similar model bought in Ireland??


    I'll end up with a total cost of €11,500 incl VRT, ferry, mechanic test, flights etc. (assuming all goes well at the NCT next week with no unpleasant surprises).

    It's hard to match exactly what the cost would be here as the more limited market means that it's hard to find an exact match for spec, mileage and price on any given model. Currently there is only one car for listed on carzone that matches make, model, mileage and year. It's a lower spec than the one I bought (and it's also a UK import but being sold by an Irish dealer). It's priced at €14,995. Mine has satnav, full phone integration and privacy glass above the model for sale in Ireland.


  • #27
    Spipov
    Registered Users Posts: 1,996 ✭✭✭Spipov


    what did you get ?


  • #28
    Bumski
    Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭Bumski


    Thanks everyone for your comments and wishes.

    Yesterday, the car passed its NCT. As pointed out by some previous posters, it received a NCT Cert expiring 21/7/2018 i.e. two years from registration in Ireland. Happy days.

    I had checked for the sparewheel, jack and tools but didn't remove wheel nut covers. I had a look at them before the NCT and noticed that the two rear wheels had locknuts. But there's no key in with the jack etc. I've arranged to get them taken out this afternoon but luckily I had no puncture driving across the UK or in the past weeks here.

    If I could edit the OP, I would add it in to check for a wheel lock nut key if required.


  • #29
    Stallingrad
    Registered Users Posts: 4,138 ✭✭✭Stallingrad


    Excellent OP, this should be stickied for sure.


  • #30
    Chiparus
    Registered Users Posts: 2,254 ✭✭✭Chiparus


    With the UK leaving the EU, do you think they will be adding VAT and customs duty to the price of cars imported from the UK?
    I recon that will be about 30% on top of VRT.


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  • #31
    tp89
    Registered Users Posts: 22 ✭tp89


    Thanks OP it has been a great resource to follow for my first purchase in the UK.

    For anyone else in the process I found a discount code for Stena Line 20% off. Its B420 - not sure how long its valid for. Hopefully it eases the burden a little


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