Revenue's VRT calculator is rubbish!

What are my options if I'm looking to import a car (from NI or GB) but unable to get a VRT estimate on Revenue's VRT Calculator because of this now very common error on their site: "No Vehicle found for Combination Selected. Please update your filters."?

There are no other relevant filters to update. The error occurs for multiple common manufacturers, models and years, nothing exotic. E.g. Mazda MX-5. Only a few make/model combinations will not give this error. The issue occurred after Revenue's recent 'update' to the site, when they strangely added seemingly every global manufacturer to the site (without adding a search function, making it tedious to scroll for ages to find Toyota, say, especially on a mobile).

I contacted Revenue on MyEnquiries two weeks ago. No response yet. Do I really have no option but to actually go and buy the car from NI or GB, bring it to the NCT centre just to get a VRT quote (not even an estimate)? It's obviously too late for me then if the VRT quote is ridiculously too high (as is commonly the case as Revenue seemingly pluck the OMSP from thin air).

Are Revenue not obligated to provide a VRT estimate for all makes/models that are selectable on their own site or at least those models for which they have a record of having been through the process before?

Thanks!

James Dunning (Bray)

Oct 2024 Filed under: VRT

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Can I get an NI dealer to import a car for me?

Hi,

Great article 'Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland'. I'm looking to import a used car (older than two years) from NI to ROI but as the NI market is very limited in stock for the make/model I'm looking for the car would need to originally come from GB (bigger market, more choice).

With the latest Revenue guidelines on 'Vehicles that were not previously in use in NI', in theory is there any downside (legally or financially) to me asking an NI dealer to buy a specific car from a GB dealer on my behalf but in the dealer's name, import it to NI under the Windsor Framework and sell the car to me for import to ROI and give me a copy of the NI Customs Declaration?

Do I understand correctly from Revenue's guidelines and your article that this would then leave me liable to VRT but not to ROI customs or VAT?

When importing the car to NI, does the dealer have to pay UK customs and VAT that they would then likely have to pass the cost on to me in the form of a higher sale price? Or can the NI dealer reclaim the UK VAT upon selling the car to me for export to ROI?

I just want to pre-determine any additional costs beyond VRT and any fee the NI dealer may add on.

Thanks in advance for your help

George Davis (GREYSTONES)

Sep 2024 Filed under: importing

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Can an NI car dealer claim back VAT?

In the scenario of a private individual importing a car from an NI dealer that has not previously been used in NI, is it correct that if the car has been imported to NI in accordance with the Windsor Framework that no ROI customs or VAT applies?

If so, what requirements does the NI dealer need to meet in order to import the car to NI in accordance with the Windsor Framework? E.g. does the NI dealer have to pay UK customs and VAT? If so, would that UK VAT be re-claimed by the NI dealer upon selling to me (for export to ROI)?

Thanks!

David O'Loughlin (GREYSTONES)

Sep 2024 Filed under: importing

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Can we use a commercial Land Rover privately?

Hello

We are looking at buying a 2015 Land Rover crew cab [a five-seater] Discovery from a family relation. He owns the car and pays commercial tax rate of €333/year. My wife and I are employed in the private sector and do not own a company.

We want to know:

1. If we buy the car and use it for day to day commute, dropping kids to creche etc, can we still avail of the €333 tax rate?

2. Is it possible for us to take out insurance on the vehicle whilst availing of the tax rate above?

Any advice would be much appreciated

Thanks

Owen Stephens (Dublin 15)

Sep 2024 Filed under: commercial vehicle

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MG3 or Mazda2 hybrids?

Cna oyu compare the MG3 'self-charging' hybrid and Mazda2 self-charging hybrid for both town and distance travel?

Mary Pierse (Dublin)

Oct 2024 Filed under: choosing new car

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VRT on an imported VW Transporter?

Hi,

A friend of mine purchased and imported a Volkswagen Transporter van a year ago from England but didn't pay the VRT yet. He has paid the Customs Duty (10%) and VAT (23%) but didn't pay the VRT.

How much would the VRT be if he decides to pay it (including any late payment penalties where applicable)? Is it VRT Category B of 13.3% of OMSP or is it €200 flat fee based on N1 van category as it has only three front seats (no back seats) and a laden mass greater than 130% of the mass in service (whatever that means)?

Thanks

Des D (Maynooth)

Sep 2024 Filed under: VRT

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I can't get insurance on a private van...

I currently own a standard car. Like many, I'd love a campervan, but the costs are too high, so I am hoping to buy a van to convert it. I am not a business owner, and I am aware I will pay the private tax on the van.

However, I seem to be coming across an issue with insurance. I understand I will have to take out a new policy, I would not move my no claims over to the van, so will be starting from scratch. But I seem to be declined insurance everywhere and I'm not sure why. I would insure it as a private van, until the conversion is complete and then look into converting on the logbook etc. Is there any law/rule against owning a commercial van, taxing and insuring it privately, converting it and then not changing it on the log book to a campervan?

There seem to be so many hoops to jump through, I just want to put a bed in the back of my van...

Any help would be appreciated, thank you!

Kirsty Durnall (Midleton)

Sep 2024 Filed under: insurance

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Thinking of importing a Combe E from the North...

Hi,

I'm considering importing an electric Vauxhall Combo E from a Vauxhall dealer in NI. It's a 2022 model with 10k miles on the clock. It was originally registered in the UK mainland and as of yet not been registered in NI. What would the VRT, VAT implications be if I where to purchase this vehicle?

Thanks in advance

Willie Nugent (Dublin)

Sep 2024 Filed under: importing

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Thinking of getting a BMW i3...

Hi,

Are EVs exempt from VRT if looking to import one? Having trouble with the Passat and if and when it gets sorted my wife wants it gone and to treat ourselves so started looking at used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe but tow truck friend warning us away from the 2.0 diesels: "doesn't matter who had it, where or how often it's been serviced or easy life, they are all trouble." And 3.0 diesel harder to find here but still give timing chain trouble.

Son is 20 and learning to drive so depending on cost to fix may dictate keeping it so third car turning to a BMW i3. When I met my wife she drove a SEAT Arosa and we kept that and I used it for my backroad commute to work for years as economical second car runabout.

With fuel, both diesel and petrol rising it might tick a few boxes to look at small economical runabout, it's auto so will suit both wife and son and our first step into EV.

Earlier with the range extender seems lower on the recommend list compared to the later fully electric 2018 onwards or i3S model.

ROS VRT site looks like it has had an update and gave both i3 and i3S options but wasn't clever enough to blank out NOx and CO₂ fields. When checking rates for i3S it auto filled a figure for NOx, which I just cancelled out.

Ideally I'd like to buy from a BMW or SIMI dealer with history and warranty and liked your article on importing from Northern Ireland.

Appreciate any advice on importing an i3 (or 4 Series Gran Coupe) from up North

Regards

Damien McGettrick (Lusk)

Sep 2024 Filed under: electric cars

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Can I convert my commercial Land Cruiser?

Hi,

Currently driving a 2010 LWB Toyota Land Cruiser (commercial). Now with the arrival of two small boys, I cannot bring them with me when driving. Can I change it from commercial to business/passenger and if so what is the process for same?

Patrick Fitzgerald (Tipperary)

Sep 2024 Filed under: commercial vehicle

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