Should a dealer be asking me to pay an import's VRT?

I Am buying a car from a small dealer, he has brought it in from the UK. He wants me to pay with bank transfer or draft & wait for it to clear before letting me drive away in the car or getting the car registered or paying the VRT. Also he wants me to pay the VRT as he is not TAN registered? What are your thoughts?

Philip C

Apr 2013 Filed under: VRT

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Expert answer

Hi Philip,

You need to tread very carefully here. Theoretically a vehicle must be inspected, registered and have its VRT paid within a maximum of 30 days of entry into the state. The Revenue Commissioners can, retrospectively, apply a penalty charge if they believe that the vehicle was late being registered. If your dealer has not had the car inspected and registered, you need to ask why.

And if they are unwilling to pay the VRT, you also need to be asking questions. Anyone can pay VRT and have a vehicle registered; you don't need any special licence from a business point of view. It could well be that the dealer in question knows that the likely cost of VRT will outweigh any potential profit from the car and so is trying to pass the cost on to you. I'd be very suspicious and ask some hard questions before proceeding with this deal.

Let us know how you get on

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe