Selling foreign car in Ireland

seb102 · 25-03-2012 10:31PM #1

Hi,

I moved to Ireland a few months ago and brought my car from Spain. I didn't register it here as I wasn't sure if I'd be keeping it, and I knew I could drive it here temporarily for a few months.

Unfortunately I had an accident and the car is a bit damaged, not worth getting it fixed, so I would like to try and sell it. Does anyone know what I would have to do to sell it to someone in Ireland? Would I have to de-register it in Spain and then register it in Ireland?

Thanks

CiniO · 25-03-2012 10:33PM

What potential buyer would be planning to do with it. Fix it or use it for parts?

L-M · 25-03-2012 10:38PM

CiniO wrote: »

What potential buyer would be planning to do with it. Fix it or use it for parts?

Doesn't matter, you cannot sell a car in ireland that is not registered here, legally.

biko · 25-03-2012 10:49PM

Considering it's a LHD drive and not registered - only someone needing it for parts would be interested.
My guess.

Sobanek · 25-03-2012 10:50PM

Limerick man wrote: »

Doesn't matter, you cannot sell a car in ireland that is not registered here, legally.

Care to provide the exact paragraph?

CiniO · 25-03-2012 10:54PM

Limerick man wrote: »

Doesn't matter, you cannot sell a car in ireland that is not registered here, legally.

Are you serious?
Any link to support it?

L-M · 25-03-2012 11:02PM

Sobanek wrote: »

Care to provide the exact paragraph?

CiniO wrote: »

Are you serious?
Any link to support it?

Been trying desperately for the last 20 mins to find it but alas i can't. There was a thread on this subject on here a few years back, but the search system isn't doing me any favours.

L-M · 25-03-2012 11:04PM

"In Ireland it is illegal for any person (other than a person specifically authorised by the Revenue Commissioners) to be in possession of an unregistered vehicle or a vehicle on which its assigned registration number is not displayed."

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/leaflets/information-note-zz-system-temporary-registration.html

Still trying to find it in relation to a Sale.

Damokc · 25-03-2012 11:06PM

This sounds like that "buying your car but living abroad" scam but backwards.:p

CiniO · 25-03-2012 11:09PM

Limerick man wrote: »

"In Ireland it is illegal for any person (other than a person specifically authorised by the Revenue Commissioners) to be in possession of an unregistered vehicle or a vehicle on which its assigned registration number is not displayed."

But does "unregistered" vehicle apply as well to vehicle registered abroad?
I wouldn't think so.

25-03-2012 11:10PM

Limerick man wrote: »

"In Ireland it is illegal for any person (other than a person specifically authorised by the Revenue Commissioners) to be in possession of an unregistered vehicle or a vehicle on which its assigned registration number is not displayed."

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/leaflets/information-note-zz-system-temporary-registration.html

Still trying to find it in relation to a Sale.

SUrely unregistered and foreign registered are not the same thing though?

Sobanek · 25-03-2012 11:10PM

Limerick man wrote: »

"In Ireland it is illegal for any person (other than a person specifically authorised by the Revenue Commissioners) to be in possession of an unregistered vehicle or a vehicle on which its assigned registration number is not displayed."

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/leaflets/information-note-zz-system-temporary-registration.html

Still trying to find it in relation to a Sale.

This would mean all drifter cars are illegal, since they're vehicles on which their assigned registration number is not displayed.

Ireland and it's laws... :rolleyes:

seb102 · 25-03-2012 11:10PM

Limerick man wrote: »

"In Ireland it is illegal for any person (other than a person specifically authorised by the Revenue Commissioners) to be in possession of an unregistered vehicle or a vehicle on which its assigned registration number is not displayed."

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/leaflets/information-note-zz-system-temporary-registration.html

Still trying to find it in relation to a Sale.

Thanks for the info. Yeah, it's what I imagined. So it seems that amy only options are to register it here, or take it back to Spain and sell it there.

If I did register it, according to citizensinformation.ie I'm exempt from paying VRT, the problem is that then I can't sell it for 12 months after registering it here:

There are different reliefs and exemptions from VRT. Even if you are not required to pay VRT, you must still register your vehicle when you come to Ireland - see 'Rules' below. The following groups are exempt from paying VRT:
Certain disabled drivers
People who have owned and used their vehicles abroad for more than 6 months and who are moving permanently to Ireland
People posted to Ireland as part of the diplomatic corps

NOTE: If you are moving to Ireland and are among those exempt from paying VRT you cannot sell your vehicle for more than 12 months after the vehicle is registered.

I'm not sure if that means that if I did pay VRT I could sell it, I'll have to call Revenue and see what I can do. Still, it seems like a lot of hassle registering it just to get 500€ or something from it...

25-03-2012 11:13PM

Sobanek wrote: »

This would mean all drifter cars are illegal, since they're vehicles on which their assigned registration number is not displayed.

Ireland and it's laws... :rolleyes:

.... wouldn't think so once they were on a track etc

Sobanek · 25-03-2012 11:14PM

RoverJames wrote: »

.... wouldn't think so once they were on a track etc

Ah! Now, you see. This is common sense, however Revenue doesn't state that the car is illegal only on a public road!

seb102 · 25-03-2012 11:14PM

RoverJames wrote: »

SUrely unregistered and foreign registered are not the same thing though?

That's true, but in this case would it matter? Even if it's registered in another country, if I sold it to someone in Ireland, wouldn't I have to transfer ownership to that person? Or is that their problem, whatever they want to do with the car after?

WOT · 25-03-2012 11:15PM

What is the make and model, maybe it would be useful for spare parts

L-M · 25-03-2012 11:16PM

RoverJames wrote: »

SUrely unregistered and foreign registered are not the same thing though?

Wouldn't imagine so, irrelevant to the cars previous registration it's not "registered" here. i think the thread i am thinking about was in relation to a Porsche, but i can't find it.

Think about it, if you buy a car in the UK and bring it here, bar having the V5 in your hand and the car, in the eyes of the state what actually says that you own that car? So how can you sell it?

seb102 wrote: »

Thanks for the info. Yeah, it's what I imagined. So it seems that amy only options are to register it here, or take it back to Spain and sell it there.

What kind of car is it and what year is it?

25-03-2012 11:16PM

Sobanek wrote: »

Ah! Now, you see. This is common sense, however Revenue doesn't state that the car is illegal only on a public road!

REad the link

It mentions public place.

L-M · 25-03-2012 11:17PM

seb102 wrote: »

That's true, but in this case would it matter? Even if it's registered in another country, if I sold it to someone in Ireland, wouldn't I have to transfer ownership to that person? Or is that their problem, whatever they want to do with the car after?

That's the thing, how car you transfer the ownership?

25-03-2012 11:19PM

Limerick man wrote: »

Wouldn't imagine so, irrelevant to the cars previous registration it's not "registered" here. i think the thread i am thinking about was in relation to a Porsche, but i can't find it.

Think about it, if you buy a car in the UK and bring it here, bar having the V5 in your hand and the car, in the eyes of the state what actually says that you own that car? So how can you sell it?

What kind of car is it and what year is it?

the bit you pasted has nothing to do with selling though

L-M · 25-03-2012 11:20PM

RoverJames wrote: »

the bit you pasted has nothing to do with selling though

You have to have the car in ireland to sell it, so having it here in the first place is illegal.

L-M · 25-03-2012 11:23PM

"My Car Is Not Registered In Ireland Can You Still Collect It?
Yes, the process is as normal, and Shannon will notify the relevant country that the car has been scrapped here. You will still be issued with a Certificate of Destruction at collection."

http://www.scrapmycar.ie/index.php/faqs#15

i can't see how Shannon would notify the country, but i'd imagine scrapping it isn't the same as selling it. if i could only find that poxy thread!

25-03-2012 11:24PM

Limerick man wrote: »

"In Ireland it is illegal for any person (other than a person specifically authorised by the Revenue Commissioners) to be in possession of an unregistered vehicle or a vehicle on which its assigned registration number is not displayed."

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/leaflets/information-note-zz-system-temporary-registration.html

Still trying to find it in relation to a Sale.

Limerick man wrote: »

You have to have the car in ireland to sell it, so having it here in the first place is illegal.

To me that bit you posted only applies to new, unregistered cars, the authorised folks being dealers or distributors.

ValerieR · 25-03-2012 11:28PM

I think that if you have owned the car yourself for more than 6 months (before you came over here?), it wouldn't cost anything to have it 'imported', sorry, registered, in Ireland.
Might be a solution ?
V

L-M · 25-03-2012 11:29PM

RoverJames wrote: »

To me that bit you posted only applies to new, unregistered cars, the authorised folks being dealers or distributors.

No, it's in relation to a car that is not registered (unregistered) in this State.

From another forum,

"It is illegal, and always has been, for a private individual to sell/own/drive a car/vehicle that has not been VRT'd/registered in the State. Only the Motor Trade can have vehicles on foreign plates for sale. All these cars for sale by private individuals on Done Deal etc can technically be confiscated by the state"

CiniO · 25-03-2012 11:31PM

Limerick man wrote: »

Think about it, if you buy a car in the UK and bring it here, bar having the V5 in your hand and the car, in the eyes of the state what actually says that you own that car? So how can you sell it?

In that case you could have a receipt from dealer or private person, which would be a proof that you own the car.
However I strongly believe you are right here. Irish resident can't just go to UK (or wherever else) buy a car, bring it to Ireland and sell without reigstering in Ireland.
But OP's case is different.
He has a car which is registered in his name abroad. We don't really know what's his residency status, but assuming he was here only few months, most likely he is not resident in Ireland.

Situation of Spanish person coming to Ireland with his car and selling it to Irish person is nearly the same as Irish person going to Spain to buy a car and bring it back to Ireland.
Only difference is a place of transaction. (Ireland vs Spain).

L-M · 25-03-2012 11:34PM

irrelevant to the Sale, the car being here and not being registered here is against the law anyway (assuming the OP is living here). Just trying to find it written in Stone.

CiniO · 25-03-2012 11:37PM

seb102 wrote: »

That's true, but in this case would it matter? Even if it's registered in another country, if I sold it to someone in Ireland, wouldn't I have to transfer ownership to that person? Or is that their problem, whatever they want to do with the car after?

When selling a car internationally within Europe, you don't transfer ownership to the buyer. Every country differs in regulations, but in general what you have to do is to write a contract of sale, and provide a buyer with adequate documents to register a car in his own country.

I assume your situation of selling your Spanish registered car in Ireland to the Irish resident, is the same as selling this car to Irish resident in Spain. Only place of transaction is different, but still the same rules should apply.

What rules apply in Spain - I have no clue.
F.e in Germany if foreigner buys a car, seller can't just give it to him with registration cert and plates, but has to keep the number plates and his registartion book.
He only has to provide a buyer with a brief (vehicle book) which is enough to register a car abroad, and then buyer can choose between towing a car on a truck to his home country, or buying temporary registration in Germany to drive it back. However if transaction was done already in buyers country (f.e. German person selling a German car to Italian in Italy) there wouldn't be any need for transporting a car.

Different way applies in UK, as there a seller gives a car to the buyer with it's numberplates and v5c, so car is still registered in UK, and buyer is allowed to drive it on previous owner registration.

CiniO · 25-03-2012 11:38PM

Limerick man wrote: »

irrelevant to the Sale, the car being here and not being registered here is against the law anyway (assuming the OP is living here). Just trying to find it written in Stone.

I'd say "assuming OP is resident here" about which we are not really sure.

L-M · 25-03-2012 11:40PM

seb102 wrote: »

Hi,

I moved to Ireland a few months ago and brought my car from Spain. I didn't register it here as I wasn't sure if I'd be keeping it, and I knew I could drive it here temporarily for a few months.

Unfortunately I had an accident and the car is a bit damaged, not worth getting it fixed, so I would like to try and sell it. Does anyone know what I would have to do to sell it to someone in Ireland? Would I have to de-register it in Spain and then register it in Ireland?

Thanks

As above.

CiniO wrote: »

I'd say "assuming OP is resident here" about which we are not really sure.

Selling foreign car in Ireland

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