Information for Irish buyers

Import Regulations

Information and links about Irish import regulations.

Vehicle Registration Tax is chargeable on registration of a motor vehicle in the State. All motor vehicles in the State, other than those brought in temporarily by visitors, must be registered with the Revenue Commissioners. A vehicle must be registered before it can be licensed for road tax purposes

Official Information on the VRT for Eire can be found here: http://www.revenue.ie/index.htm?/services/bus_vrt.htm

The import of motor vehicles into Ireland is a straightforward process and can save you a significant amount of money - as well as enabling you to buy specification cars you just can't find at home.

When importing a car from the UK there are a few rules to follow:

You will have to pay VRT on any car coming into Ireland.
You will have to pay VAT on cars coming from outside the EU (which negates the savings you may make!)
You will have to pay VAT on all cars under 6 months old or less than 6,000kms even if they are from within the EU.

VRT

When you are looking at the price of different cars in the UK (Autotrader.co.uk is the best site) it might seem like the prices are great. This can be true for some cars but others this is not the case.

Obviously, you will firstly have to convert the price into EURO using the most up to date rate that your bank will Sell GBP (This can be quite different from the daily exchange rates that you might see in the papers).

Then you will have to calculate the VRT. This can vary in a number of ways:

The % of VRT is based on the engine size of the car. You can see the table using the above link.
It is not based on the price you bought the car for but the Open Market Selling Price or OMSP. This is a value defined by the Revenue. Reports suggest they will value an Audi at about trade or less.

Procedure for Buying

(1) Choose your vehicle from our Online Showroom, having studied the multiple photographs and read the detailed specification and description, which are there so that you can 'see' the vehicle before travelling and know there will not be any 'nasty surprises'.

(2) Call us with any further questions (ask as many as you want!) and so that we may forward the HPI and RAC reports to you before you make your travel plans. We will also provide the Chassis Number (see below). If the car is still under Audi Manufacturers Warranty this will be valid in Eire, if not then request a price excluding the Warranty.

(3) The following VRT rates, subject to a minimum VRT of €315, apply to our vehicles (category A):

1401cc - 1900cc 25% of OMSP
over 1900cc 30% of OMSP

Contact your local Vehicle Registration Office (VRO) here and ask for a VRT quote.They should be able to give you the amount immediately although you would be wise to note the advice below. Provide them with the chassis number and they will get their VRO Department in Rosslare to provide valuation - usually within one day.

Ring at least 2-3 different offices.
Give them as much information as possible.
If you can't get a consistent quote get the 'Code' off them for the car they are using. They all have an internal code. Then quote this at the other offices to see if they are the same.
If all else fails, ring the office in Rosslare and tell them the problem. They can take your chassis number and get the exact model of the car.

(4) You will now have the cost of the car.

(5) Use our resources pages (here) for further links to assist with your travel and work out the total cost.

(6) Once you're happy to proceed, call us to make a deposit of five hundred Pounds on a Credit or Debit card. We will confirm it's receipt by return email and include the current registration number (VRN) for your insurance company. Our Terms and Conditions for deposits can be found here in large print - not small print hidden somewhere!

(7) Once you have confirmed your travel arrangements just call us to advise a date and approximate time.

(8) Either get a Bank Draft for the remaining balance in Sterling (GB Pounds) and note down your Bank's address and telephone number to enable us to confirm validity of the Draft - or even easier...just pay by Debit card again, after notifying your bank that a large payment will be made on the collection date.

(9) Call you insurance company and ask them to transfer your policy to the new car. They should issue a temporary cover for a non-Irish registration.

Procedure for Collecting

(10) If you leave early in the morning you could be back in Dublin the same night. If you wish to stay locally or make it a short break in the picturesque Cotswolds we would be pleased to assist.

(11) We will have the car ready for your arrival. Upon arrival you make sure the car is as described and photographed, take an extensive test drive with one of our team so you don't get lost, then complete the paperwork - easy! We can even program the Satellite Navigation with you to assist with your drive to the Ferry Port and home.

Lovely Paperwork

(12) You are required to present the car at a VRO here within 24hrs of arriving in Ireland. They will not now accept cash or third party cheques.

(13) Complete a few forms (download here) then the officials will check to ensure you have honestly described the car. Ensure that the Make Model and Year are correct (from the V5 document copy) although you can take a view on noting down every single option and extra.

(14) They will then give you a receipt with your new Irish Registration on it. This will enable you to get your new registration plates made and put them on the car, you must display the new registration within three days.

(15) Get your insurance changed to the new registration.

(16) A few days later you will receive the Vehicle Registration Cert. This is not the same as the one that you usually have as it in only the initial certificate and is used to Tax a car for the first time only.

(17) Go to the Tax office and purchase tax.

(18) In a few days the correct Vehicle Registration Document should arrive

and finally...

(19) Tell your friends, family and anyone else who will listen how much money you've saved and how easy it all was buying your high specification used Audi from Pioneer!!

Disclaimer:
Pioneer have provided this information for your information and whilst we have made every effort to ensure the above information is accurate and the links are correct, you should satisfy yourself that the above procedure is still current by referring to the www.revenue.ie website or calling your local office (here).
Pioneer cannot be held responsible for any loss or costs whatsoever relating to missing or inaccurate information contained here.